The High Country came alive with colour, imagination and literary spirit as Swifts Creek and Omeo joined forces to celebrate Book Week 2026 under this year’s national theme, Symphony of Stories.
Continuing a cherished High Country tradition, celebrations brought together students, families and teaching staff from Omeo Primary School, Swifts Creek P-12 School, and local early learning centres.
The week’s festivities kicked off with traditional costume parades across both townships, with children and educators bringing iconic book characters to life. Teaching staff at the Swifts Creek Flagstaff campus made a grand entrance dressed as characters from Mem Fox’s Where is the Green Sheep?, while staff from the High Country Uniting Early Learning Centre in Omeo transformed into the
cast of The Wizard of Oz.
A cornerstone of the High Country celebrations was the annual Community Reading Walks, held across both Swifts Creek and Omeo. Local volunteers generously gave their time to read selected children’s stories at designated stations throughout each town.
Children and families journeyed between reading spots at local halls, community centres, public libraries, hardware stores, chemist shops and outside local CFA sheds, enjoying literature in everyday
community settings.
Volunteer readers shared a wide selection of popular titles, including The Magic Hat, Smelly Bill, Rattletrap Car, The Wrong Book, The Highway Rat, and The Mighty Bunyips.
Coordinated by the Schools as Hubs initiative, the event highlighted the vital role early literacy plays in developing language skills, confidence and lifelong learning, while fostering intergenerational connections throughout the remote alpine region.
Organisers extended their gratitude to local families, school staff, and volunteer readers whose community involvement ensured Book Week 2026 was a resounding success across the High Country.
