Kate Arthur

Congratulations to our very own Barbie Bates who has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list with an Order of Australia Medal for her service to children.

Barbie has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of children across Australia, most recently as the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Paint the Town REaD.

When speaking to Barbie following the announcement she said:‘I am overwhelmed to receive this honour. Close to 30 years ago I attended a graduation service at Batchelor TAFE college in the NT. As graduates went forward to receive their awards, they were preceded and/or accompanied by Elders and/or dancers from their Aboriginal communities. There was a very strong sense that the graduates were representing their communities, as their communities had been crucial to them achieving their success and that they were receiving their awards on behalf of their communities. A shared Award.

This is my sense about this honour. I am receiving it on behalf of, and because of, all in PTTR – from the Board to all the volunteers across our 90+ communities. It belongs to us all.’

Many years ago, I was principal of a country school. It bothered me that too many of our children had trouble learning to read and write. It bothered me into action.

In my school we made a huge effort. Best practice. It was a blitz. With great results, right?
Well, no. We had results, but they were not great. For all our efforts, the results were — as a teacher I hate admitting this — disappointing. This got me thinking. Are some children just doomed? Or were we missing something? I looked wider. What I found changed everything.

Study after study showed that a child’s ability to learn to read and write at school is set in the first five years of life. The first three years, in fact. School was too late. And what’s needed in those early years? Simple. Yet I could see that it wasn’t happening in many families.

Spend time with children every day, from birth — talking, singing, rhyming, reading — and you’ll prepare them to read and write at school. It’s from this insight that Paint the Town REaD was born.

‘Painting the town red’ carries the notion of celebration, of ‘doing’ the town, of saturating it with excitement and enthusiasm. That’s the literacy culture we want to generate. We pull together community groups, agencies and businesses, and we inspire them to integrate this culture into everything they do with (and as) families. And to keep inventing the most fun and creative ways to do so.

It’s a growing, nationwide network of people whose influence can change thousands of lives, long term.

Will you join us?

Rhonda Brain, OAM

If you’re in the North Richmond (NSW) area, check out this exciting new program starting on 21st October.

Paint the Swan REaD invites you to get involved in our Annual Reading Week

Children’s Week 24 October – 1 November, 2015

There will be a special focus on four communities in the City of Swan

1. Midland
2. Ellenbrook
3. Alton
4. Bullsbrook

Business or shop owners!

• Decorate your shop in red for Children’s Week.
• Offer to read to children in your shop on 27 October.
• Donate items for fundraisers for the reading event.
• Sponsor items for Reading Week; e.g. a reading tent, books, library bags or stickers.

Libraries and Child and Family Services!

Host or plan to include your service in activities in your area.

Families!

Take your children to join in the free, fun activities.

Everyone!

Volunteer to join a local planning group for one of the four communities.

Wherever you are, stop and read at 11 am on 27 October.

For more information and to get involved in activities in your area, ask at your local library, visit the Paint the Swan REaD Facebook site, or contact Fiona Lee at CLAN Midland, on 9250 6335.