Paint the Town REaD, Black and Yellow Celebrates!
Celebrating NAIDOC Week this year will be very different across our great land – as our PTTRB&Y (including PTTR) communities will celebrate according to COVID requirements.
We aim is to help close the early literacy gap for our First Nations children – led by local Elders.
This week especially we wish to acknowledge their eons of wisdom, love and commitment to their children, communities and land.
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.’
Our 8th National Conference ended with the call for everyone present to meet up and yarn with Aboriginal friends and colleagues during Reconciliation Week, given the theme this year of More than a Word. Reconciliation Takes Action.
Aptly, with the Conference theme being Enhancing Early Literacy by Embracing our Cultural Diversity, the tone was set by Aunty Lyn Martin, when her Welcome to Country included her reading the Uluru Statement from the Heart to us.
We’re thrilled to tell you that Their Excellencies the Governor General and Mrs Hurley are attending our 8th National Conference on Thursday 20 May. Mrs Hurley (our Patron) will be opening the Conference. They will also be joining us for our Conference Dinner.
This is a great way for you to meet them, as well as receive up to date research and practice skills to incorporate into your early literacy practices.
Mrs Hurley is a terrific Patron for PTTR. Have a look at how she launched our National REaD and Sing with Me at Home Campaign last year.
Register now! It isn’t too late.
Theme: Enhancing Early Literacy by Embracing Cultural Diversity
19 – 21 May 2021 on the lands of the Bediagal and Cabrogal Clans of the Darug Nation.
This conference will bring you the latest research and practical applications for early literacy through the lens of cultural diversity. There will also be a focus on engaging men and boys in reading with bubs from birth, and community ownership and partnerships in early literacy.
Come and join us, in person or online for our first hybrid conference — whether you’re from the city or the country, work in early childhood, library, child and family services, volunteer in a service club, or you’re a strategic planner in your government position. Or, more locally, if you want to start painting your own community REaD, or to strengthen your existing PTTR site.
We will have keynote speakers and workshops for all.
On registration you may choose either to attend in person at the conference venue — Bankstown Sports Club in Bankstown NSW — or online.
Thank you to everyone in PTTR communities across Australia – for the way you have moved heaven and earth this year to keep the message of ‘Read with your Baby from Birth’ alive in your local communities.
Thank you to our wonderful donors who make our work possible – and to all the amazing volunteers behind the scenes. You are all awesome!
May you walk in peaceful and renewing places in this Season.
Conference Theme: Enhancing Early Literacy by Embracing Cultural Diversity.
We are thrilled to share with you, the amazing artwork from Shareen Clayton, for our 8th National Conference 20 – 21 May 2021. (Easy dates for you to remember!)
In Shareen’s words: The artwork represents family and community.
So the centre shows mum, dad and bub having quality family time out in the sun reading a book.
The middle represents being surrounded and supported by the extended family and the outer part represents local communities working together to support and engage local families.
Paint the Town REaD and Paint the Town REaD, Black and Yellow ‘in a nutshell.’
Keep an eye out for the Registrations opening soon!
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations as the first people of Australia.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
We honour their cultural, spiritual and emotional connection to their traditional Country.
We thank our Aboriginal Elders and colleagues who graciously, patiently and with humour lead us in Paint the Town REaD, Black and Yellow
In this Together
Today marks the end of National Reconciliation Week 2020.
Reconciliation between our First Nations and those of us who came later, is entwined in the life of PTTR.
A beautiful example from this week, was a poster developed by Paint Shoalhaven REaD, Black and Yellow in NSW, teaching children about staying safe during Covid 19. It has been shared across Australia to all our communities. And this week is being updated by The Swan community in WA. From Yuin sands to Noongar lands.
This morning, Her Excellency Mrs Hurley launched our national campaign, REaD and Sing with Me at Home, on the Governor General of Australia’s Facebook page, by singing a song she has composed for us.
The campaign aims to remind families everywhere to read and sing with their children during this time of social isolation — and beyond.
Mrs Hurley loves singing and, as a teacher, parent and grandparent, knows so well how important (and fun!) reading with children is.
She launched the campaign by reading ‘GoGo and The Lost Book’, compiled by Paint Liverpool REaD, singing the song she has written for PTTR, and placing her own teddy in the gates of Government House.
To get inspiration about how you can participate, follow Paint the Town REaD and — above all — read and sing at home!