“Reading Is Magic” was the theme for Book Week across Victoria this year, and in the High Country towns of Omeo and Swifts Creek, it looked magical as a colourful procession of students, early years’ children and parents made their way around the towns.
Book Week was once again well and truly alive, with enthusiastic members of the community situated at various venues, reading entertaining books to the groups, enabling the children to experience the power of great stories and raise the awareness of literacy.
At both the Swifts Creek P-12 School and the Omeo Primary School, students and staff paraded at morning assembly, dressed up as book characters from their chosen book with some terrific, vibrant costumes on display.
At Omeo this year’s readers included long time participant Daryl Shepherd ‘Shep’, who first read in 2018 and has only missed two Covid lockdown years since.
This year Shep, who was based in the Omeo Community Hub, read a laugh out loud book written by his favourite author Aaron Blabey called Busting.
Meanwhile local policeman, Senior Constable Phil Chapman once again read to groups in the A.M. Pearson Historical Park.
His chosen book was also written by Aaron Blabey, one of the famous, hilarious Pig series, called Pig the Grub, about not only the greediest pig ever but also the dirtiest who doesn’t want to bathe.
The groups then walked to Omeo Rural and Hardware, to find ‘Cinder the Bubble Blowing Dragon’, alias Trudy Anderson relaxing on the top of the dog food and grain bags where she was enjoying blowing bubbles.
Trudy then read her lovely story of Cinder the Bubble Blowing Dragon written by Jessica Anderson.
Last stop was at the Omeo Makers Market where repeat reader Sharon Parker read an all time favourite Andrew Daddo book called When I Grow Up.
An imaginative book with beautiful illustrations, it shares dreams and aspirations of a young girl as she imagines the options ahead for a professional working life.
A couple of days later, waiting in the town at Swifts Creek were more community readers who were keen to communicate the importance of reading.
First stop was the Swifts Creek CFA shed where the group found local farmer Buddah Richards, who has willingly read for many years.
Sitting on the CFA truck, Buddah captured the spirit of the Aussie Outback reading And Kangaroo played his Didgeridoo written by Nigel Gray.
Across the road was Carole Pepper, sitting in the sun outside the Swifts Creek Hall, ready to share the witty, fun story of Smelly Bill written by Daniel Postgate.
Many students who have a dog can relate to this hilarious story about a dog who refused to take a bath.
The groups then ventured on to the Community Centre where Leanne Stedman read the classic bestseller book Where’s my Teddy by Jez Alborough.
With its wonderful read-aloud rhyming text, it tells the tale of Little Eddy who loses his toy teddy bear and gets a big surprise when he comes across him in the dark, scary woods.
Jason Darby at the Swifts Creek General Store was having a spell in front of the store with an armful of books that he had chosen to read.
The all time favourites were the Hairy Maclary books by Lynley Dodd and Jason treated the listeners to two of the bouncy rhyming books with their loveable characters.
In front of The Junction Hotel was Nat Bricknall, who eagerly read with great expression The Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson.
This catchy, rhyming book about a villainous rat who gallops along the highway, stealing from other animals until he comes unstuck when a clever duck tricks him, delighted the audience.
Schools as Hubs coordinator, Rowena Turner, said the Swifts Creek and Omeo community reading walk is a fantastic, inclusive event that sends a strong and important message to the families, that the wider community embrace the importance of reading and are prepared to invest the time to celebrate books.
“A huge thank you again to the readers for making an amazing effort, giving their time and support to help the children to celebrate book week in such a powerful and fun way,” Ms Turner said.
“Also thank you to the families who join in and support their children in understanding how important reading is, assisting with positive outcomes in life.”
This is one of the many events that the Schools as Hubs program, funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services and facilitated in Gippsland by Uniting Gippsland coordinate. This program delivers many
events supporting families in the High Country.
The Schools as Hubs program aims to encourage and assist families to support their children in health and wellbeing, focussing on engaging families and community in activities that promote childhood development.
