By Matthew Pearce
Local Rotarians have been sharing the joy of reading with Prep students, visiting schools around the region to ensure each Preppie has a book of their very own.
The brainchild of past Rockhampton South Rotary Club president Rachel Sampson, the Rotary Literacy Project was revived this year by the Rockhampton South and Capricorn Coast clubs after being well received in the past.
Club president Ken Murphy said the Rockhampton South Rotary Club had visited more than 50 schools between Marlborough and Ambrose and out to Gogango, with about 1200 Prep children receiving books. The Capricorn Coast Rotary Club covered the schools in their region.
Mr Murphy said the goal of the project was to get children “able to read, read well and enjoy reading”.
“There are some children we gave books to that have never owned a book in their life. They’d ask, ‘Are we allowed to keep this?’”
He said the high quality, hardcover picture books were age appropriate for Prep students and ideal for parents or teachers to read with children.
The Preppies are also encouraged to swap the books with their friends.
“We’ve had parents send us letters to say how much their children have enjoyed the books, which is what makes it all worthwhile,” Mr Murphy said.
“The schools have also said how wonderful it is for their children, especially the ones from lower socio-economic areas.”
Mr Murphy said Rotary had bought the books as a club, as part of their mission to serve the community and make the community better.
Funds were raised through Athelstane Bowls Club, which is run by Rockhampton South Rotary, as well as their Children’s Film Festival and other community projects.
“It’s all worth it if it creates greater capacity to read, even in one child, which is something that could change the rest of their life,” he said.
“And it’s not just children from low socio-economic backgrounds, sometimes it’s a matter of having two busy working parents, who may not have the time to read to their children.”
Rotarian, and CQ Today weather columnist Mike Griffin, who delivered books to Mount Morgan and Glenmore schools on Wednesday, said the children had been overjoyed that they each had their own book.
“The vibe in the classroom was just phenomenal, it was magic,” he said.
“It was an honour to share the books with the children.”