Free book event fosters love of literacy

By Bree Harding

Dec 9, 2024

Prep student Zeke Arpon with his armful of books. Photo by Contributed

When looking back on her life, American poet Maya Angelou once expressed how impressed she was with the life-giving power of literature.

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“If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young,” Angelou said.

Luckily for the students at Gowrie St Primary School, some caring collaborators agree with the poet and recently joined forces to ensure each of them could take home — and keep — 10 books of their choice.

The collaboration between 123Read2Me, The Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, and the Shepparton Central Rotary Club aimed to ignite a passion for reading while nurturing literacy skills in several environments.

“We are grateful for this community support,” school principal Eron Chapman said.

“This book project helps foster a love of literature and literacy both at school and home, and it is wonderful that the students are able to choose books that interest them.”

The event took place on Friday, November 29 inside the school hall.

Mahlee Ellis, Alex Bull, Rhylan Briggs and Taequin Baksh were excited to choose their books. Photo by Contributed

Students entered to find a treasure trove of books, which included hundreds of titles, from which each child could hand-pick 10 to keep for ever.

“It was great to see the students so excited about books,” Rotarian Peter Johnson said.

“I was impressed to see many students picking books to take home and gift to family members.”

Zyra Calinawan and Rotarian Mal Watt at the book event. Photo by Contributed

123Read2Me is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing free good-quality second-hand books to children regardless of their circumstances.

It has made a significant impact in Greater Shepparton, having earlier this year donated 2000 books to Mooroopna Park Primary School, a contribution that has since grown to 10,000 books, distributed across schools including Banmira Specialist School (formerly Verney Rd School), Wilmot Rd Primary School and St George’s Rd Primary School.

Mahlee Ellis and Aria Commisso share their selections with each other. Photo by Contributed

This latest delivery to Gowrie St Primary School was made in collaboration with The Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project and Shepparton Central Rotary Club, which share a long-standing partnership with the school.

Schools or community groups interested in accessing books are encouraged to contact Lighthouse primary projects co-ordinator Belinda Senini at bsenini@gslp.com.au