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PHOTO: Kelly Ung, our new volunteer Social Media Coordinator.
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Term 3, 2020 has started and schools have been very responsive—placing their book orders early and nominating whether they want to have virtual or live Book Giving Assemblies. Great going! As an extension to our virtual capabilities, we initiated a great program last week with the University of NSW (UNSW) Volunteer Army. Several of their students and staff electronically connected with Gumlu State School, which is located in the Whitsunday region of Queensland. The Volunteer Army team read several picture books from the Term 3 Primary Catalogue to the children. Everyone had a great time, and we've been so delighted with the feedback that we shared the story with you below. Thanks so much to the UNSW Volunteer Army and to Kasey Miles in particular for helping organise the reading.
We also had some great press coverage in the The North West Star this week, which published a story on Glencore's generous funding of the Books in Homes Program at Dajarra State School and Camooweal State School (as well as six other schools) in north west Queensland. You can read the newspaper story here, and you can also find out more on the News section of our website. Glencore first started funding Books in Homes in 2007 and by 2023 they will have donated over $1.62 million and provided over 206,000 books to participating children and schools through the Books in Homes program, which is an unprecedented corporate commitment to children living in remote and rural communities. Thanks, Glencore.
We'd also like to welcome a new staff member, Kelly Ung, who has joined the Books in Homes as our new volunteer Social Media Coordinator. Kelly is currently in the last year of her Bachelors of Arts at the University of Sydney and joined Books In Homes to spread her own love of books with others. When she isn’t writing essays for class, Kelly can be found reading various books, playing with her dog, and building her home library. While she loves to read widely, young adult and children’s books have a special place in Kelly’s heart. She aspires to be part of the publishing industry to help foster a love of reading in others. Happy to have you on the team, Kelly!
Fingers crossed for a smooth run to the end of the year with Books in Homes and our schools and communities around Australia.
Stay safe, stay healthy.
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Peter Large
Chief Executive Officer &
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees
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FEATURE ARTICLE: GOOD DEEDS DAY AT GUMLU STATE SCHOOL
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Story and photos contributed by Kasey Miles, Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, from the University of NSW.
The face of volunteering has drastically changed due to COVID-19 and yet with a bit of creativity and technology, we have found ways to continue to give back and connect with our community. As part of the University of NSW Arc’s Good Deed Days, a week-long volunteering event, four student volunteers read to the students from Gumulu State School over 2,000 kilometres away thanks to Books in Homes. Books like Jack and the Beanstalk, A Dog’s Tale and Liar Bird reminded our student volunteers of a joy reminiscent of when they were younger. This collaboration had an incredible impact on the students who volunteered, particularly at a time when connection is something we are all craving. When we asked the kids from Gumulu State School if they had ever met anyone all the way from Sydney, they all shook their heads except for one who told us that a friend of a friend had once visited!! Having the opportunity to connect with young people so far away not only gives our volunteers all of the feel good feelings, but it also creates an opportunity for us to open the world view of the kids and perhaps see them at the university of New South Wales one day.
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Sponsor: Maura Pierlot
Location: Canberra, ACT
Website: www.maurapierlot.com
What does Maura Pierlot do?
Maura Pierlot is an award-winning author and playwright based in Canberra. Her debut picture book, The Trouble in Tune Town, won the 2018 ACT Writing and Publishing Award (Children’s category) and is in development for a stage adaptation. Maura’s play, Fragments (youth mental health themes), recently enjoyed a sell-out season at The Street Theatre, Canberra and will be produced next year in digital format.
How long has Maura been supporting Books in Homes Australia?
Maura joined Books in Homes in January 2020 as a volunteer Grant Application Coordinator, as well as a Role Model. From Term 3, 2020 she became a Sponsor.
What school does Maura sponsor?
Maura sponsors Monteagle Public School, which is located in the South West Slopes of NSW.
Thanks, Maura!
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What part of your work most interests you?
Researching interesting information. Though sometimes it’s so interesting, it’s hard to stop doing this and start writing! And also talking to kids about what they love reading and writing about (and doing!) when I’m visiting schools for workshops.
How did you choose your career path?
I knew I wanted to be a writer from a very young age—I even had a ‘pen name’ picked out! Various people tried to push me in other directions but writing eventually won. These days, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Who has inspired you most in life? Why?
My parents. They taught me the importance of hard work and perseverance. But also of having a good sense of humour at all times!
What did you most enjoy about school?
I went to a tiny primary school in the country. Every Wednesday afternoon, our teacher read to us from an amazing array of books, drawing us into other worlds. We also wrote and performed our own plays every year.
What did you hate most about school?
Sport. I was hopeless at it and was always the one left standing forlornly on the path when teams were picked.
What advice would you give your 10-year old self?
Put an extra towel across the bottom of your bedroom door. That way you’re less likely to get into trouble for reading late at night …
What three children’s books were your favourites when you were at school?
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild, The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton, and Ash Road by Ivan Southall.
What three things would you take to a desert island?
Books, blues music and sand fly repellent.
And just for fun, choose your preference below:
Lions, tigers or bears (oh my!)? Tigers.
Jelly babies or jelly snakes? Jelly snakes (more to love!).
Spring, summer, autumn or winter? Autumn.
Tennis or cricket? Cricket.
Passionfruit or mangoes? Mangoes.
Ghosts or goblins? Ghosts.
Planes, trains or automobiles? Trains.
Harry Potter, Hermione Granger or Ron Weasley? Hermione all the way!
Fantasy or sci-fi? Both.
Running or yoga? Zumba! 😃
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Congratulations to Role Model and children's author Toni Brisland for the publication of her new book Patrick White, which is published by Little Steps Publishing. This is the illustrated biography of the remarkable Australian author who is best remembered for how poetically he described the Australian landscape and people in his many novels and plays, and who was the only Australian to have won the Nobel Prize for Literature. The book is illustrated by Anastasia Popp and has been written for 8 to 12 year old children. For more information on Toni please visit her website.
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When he was six, Roald Dahl insisted his mother take him to meet Beatrix Potter. Potter, who disliked children, told them both to "Buzz off".
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Fun Book Facts have been contributed by Role Model and emerging author, Rachel Armstrong, who is located in Townsville, Qld. You can read more about Rachel here: www.rachelarmstrongauthor.com.au
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MAINFREIGHT CALENDAR – AUGUST 2020
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The August 2020 image was illustrated by
Shanthagi Puventhirarajah
(Age 6) from Noble Park Primary School (Vic).
CLICK on the image above to download the calendar page.
Provided courtesy of Mainfreight.
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