Over the past 5 years Wollongong Council has been working with the Combined Rotaries Clubs of Wollongong to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to the southern suburbs; Warrawong, Berkeley, Port Kembla, Cringila, Kemblawarra and more recently Bellambi.

This monthly home delivered book program brings the magic of a library into the home, with a gift of a book every month free of charge to families before school begins. Every child in the program is given quality, physical books to keep for their very own, kick-starting a lifelong love of reading and helping them reach their full potential!

The Dapto Rotary Club has secured funding to support 40 children in the program and Council is seeking people to email Council’s Community Development Worker – Children and Families if they are interested in assisting getting families signed up for this program. The program is targeting families where books may not feature in the home or where families may need this program to encourage them to read to their children at home.

The research is clear on the benefits of children having thousands of words in their Vocabulary by they are 18 months as the main indicator on their success in learning to read. It is also a very effective bonding tool. What we would need from you:-

• Willingness to identify families who would fit the criteria and discuss the program with them
• Willingness to assist them in filling in the form and then scanning and emailing it back to the key contact person

There have been 100’s of children go through this program with significant success recorded. You will be provided with the information needed to promote this with the families you identify and they will all be given an introductory book on signing up. ( below is a bit of information about the program)

Dapto Rotary are excited to be bringing this down south and are hoping for your support to help them help the children who need it the most.

If you are interested in working with them on this please email Tracey Kirk-Downey with the contact person at the centre who will be working with the program and their contact details and Tracey will then pass on to Julie who will then get in contact with you.

Tracey Kirk-Downey
Community Development Worker – Children and Families
Email tkirk-downey@wollongong.nsw.gov.au