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ISSUE 49 | December 2018
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HELLO FROM THE OFFICE
2018 is nearly at a close, and we're happy to say that Books in Homes has had a wonderful year. We're grateful to our extended community – our Sponsors, Schools, Role Models, Book Selection Committee, Donors, and Subscribers – for making that possible. We appreciate your support, and for spreading the word about our vision and encouraging young children across the country to read. In our last edition of THE BRIDGE for this year, we also want to draw your attention to the number of books we distributed in 2018:
  • Term 1 = 29,019;
  • Term 2 = 30,284; and
  • Term 4 = 35,542.
That's nearly 95,000 books!  We're edging closer and closer to that 3 million books distributed mark.

Last month we included a thank you to Book Selection Committee member Sandra Stonham for her Christmas Lights on Jubilee at 101 Jubilee Avenue, Kogarah, NSW. Sandra and her family have been busy entertaining many families and their children with their fantastic Christmas lights show, and collecting donations for Books in Homes. As we head towards Christmas week, it's worthwhile mentioning Sandra’s event only has a few days to go—it finishes on Boxing Day 26 December 2018 when Sandra and family pack it up for another year. Last chance to see it, and please thank Sandra if you are passing by.

A special Shout Out goes out to Mingara Recreation Club in the Central Coast of NSW. Mingara is hosting its annual Christmas Under the Stars tomorrow night—Sunday 23 December 2018 from 3:30pm. Funds raised during the event will go toward Books in Homes Australia, as well as the Salvation Army. If you're in the vicinity, we encourage you to attend. There's no doubt you'll have a wonderful time like I did last year. I'll be driving up from the South Coast this year... I wouldn't miss it for the world!  If you spot me please come by and say hi.

We also want to say a HUGE thank you to the team at Mainfreight who have released the 2019 Calendar, which features artwork from primary school children who attend the Mainfreight sponsored schools. The schools represented in the calendar include Carole Park State School (Qld), Matraville Soldier's Settlement Public School (NSW), Noble Park Primary School (Vic) and Majella Catholic Primary School (WA). The Mainfreight team have given us permission once again to share the wonderful artwork with you. You can download the calendar every month by clicking onto the image below, which takes you to a large pdf on our website.

In the meantime, the Books in Homes team want to wish you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Have a great fantastic holiday!
Peter Large
Chief Executive Officer &
Chairperson of the Board of Trustees

 
WINDOWS TO READING AT MACKAY CHILDREN AND FAMILY CENTRE
Story and photo contributed by Julie Reid, Family Support Coordinator, Mackay Children and Family Centre.
The excitement of the children, staff and parents was evident when the Mackay Children and Family Centre held its first ever Book Giving Ceremony on 6 December 2018.  In attendance was our Kindergarten class and participants from our Playgroup. We were fortunate to have our community Elder, Aunty Maude Corowa, attend to present the children with their book packs and stay for morning tea.  Mackay locals and BHP employees Shane Reid and Jamie Ahmat assisted Aunty Maude in giving out the book bags to the children.  There were smiles all round as the children accepted the books they had chosen. 

The Mackay Children and Family Centre is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service that welcomes and services local families within the Mackay City area.  The Family Support Program currently offers parent and family support and advice, education support, homework help programs, counselling services, playgroup, school holiday activities, access to health services including maternal and child health and advocacy support.  We are a fully licenced Long Day Care Centre for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years old, with an approved Kindergarten program a major part of our integrated service.

We are thankful for BHP’s sponsorship of the Mackay Children and Family Centre’s participation in the Books in Homes Australia Program.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
Sponsor: Rotary Club of Mount Gambier
Location: Mount Gambier, SA
Website: www.facebook.com/Rotary-Club-of-Mount-Gambier
What does the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier do?
Rotary International is a volunteer organisation of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Rotary clubs exist to improve communities through a range of humanitarian, intercultural and educational activities. Clubs advance international understanding by partnering with clubs in other countries. Rotary also encourages high ethical standards in all vocations. The major focus of Rotary is health (polio eradication), peace, international education, humanitarian projects, water management, and literacy. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members belonging to 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, and the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier is one of them. The Rotary Club of Mount Gambier's main source of funds is income from their weekly community market and proceeds from the sale of donated second hand books at their annual Book Fair. This year, the club donated $6,500 to the Rotary Club of Longreach to help with community based drought relief in parched Western Queensland.

How long has the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier been supporting Books in Homes Australia? 
The club, in conjunction with the Mount Gambier Library, has been a supporter of Books in Homes Australia since 2015.  Profits from the sale of second hand books have financed this involvement.

“We love the fact that by selling hundreds of very affordable 'pre-loved' books, we can help purchase new books for local children.  For many of these young students, these are first books they can call their own and it’s great to see their joy when the bag of books is handed over. Through finding new homes for second hand books and through Books in Homes we’re really boosting literacy and the love of reading in our community."  
Kathryn Weddell-Lucas, President, Rotary Club of Mount Gambier

ROLE MODEL CORNER
Name: Bruce Mutard
Location: Perth, WA
Job: Comics Maker & Researcher
Website: 
www.brucemutard.com.au

 
What part of your work most interests you?
Trying to balance what should and/or best be shown in a comics panel, versus being told. There's no formula to it.

How did you choose your career path? 
As a teen I imagined myself being a fantasy/sci-fi artist and author, but discovered comics later and gradually that took over as the medium that suited my skill set and storytelling needs.

What do you do to relax?
Watch classic movies—old Hollywood and arthouse.

Who has inspired you most in life? Why?
Any artist of any medium who was able to adhere to their vision and still work within commercial constraints.

What did you most enjoy about school?
School holidays.

What did you hate most about school? 
Getting bullied and not having a way to talk about it or anyone to go to. Back then, you had to suck it up. So I just lived in fear and waited until I left school. 

What advice would you give your 10 year old self?
Give myself the social skills and tools to dismiss any potential bullying. I was pretty introverted.

What three children’s books were your favourites when you were at school?
What Do People Do All Day – Richard Scarry, Asterix and the Cauldron – Rene Goscinny & Albert Uderzo, and The Second Richest Duck – Carl Barks.

What would you take to a desert island?
I'll cheat. My movie library. My comics library and my book library.

And just for fun, choose your preference below:
Cats or dogs? Cats.
Ice cream or cake? Cake.
Plays or musicals? Musicals.
Football or soccer? Football.
Tea or coffee? Tea.
Sailing boat or speed boat? Sailing boat.
Chocolate or chips? Chips.
TV or computer games? TV.
Book or TV? Book.
Swimming or cycling? Cycling.
TERM 4, 2018 BOOK CATALOGUE ROLE MODEL COMPETITION WINNERS
There were over 300 entries in the Term 4, 2018 Role Model Competition published in the Primary Book Catalogue. Congratulations to the following students who submitted outstanding entries, including some awesome sketches, and won one of the 25 prize packs donated by Scholastic Australia! Your book packs will be sent to your school with the book orders during Term 1, 2019.

Kham SP, Blackburn English Language School, Vic
Bak B, Blackburn English Language School, Vic
Natalie M, Matraville Soldiers Settlement Public School, NSW
Emily M, Stuart Town Public School, NSW
Kiarna A, Taree Public School, NSW
Milly R, Taree Public School, NSW
Alma B, Blackburn English Language School, Vic
Cooper J, Taree Public School, NSW
Jhardeah L, Taree Public School, NSW
Rubie V, Taree Public School, NSW
Maddison P, Townsville South State School, Qld
Tiana O, Townsville South State School, Qld
Natira L S, Taree Public School, NSW
Van Peng L, Blackburn English Language School, Vic
Luke M, Matraville Soldiers Settlement Public School, NSW
Samantha R, Baralaba State School, Qld
Sandra M, Broadmeadows Primary School, Vic
Armaan A, Noble Park Primary School, Vic
Candice W M C, Matraville Soldiers Settlement Public School, NSW
Logan S, Taree Public School, NSW
Knox E, Penshurst Primary School, Vic
Halle M, Beresfield Public School, NSW
Ella K, Flinders View Primary School, SA
Eliza G K, Urbenville Public School, NSW
Monique S, Baralaba State School, Qld
MAINFREIGHT CALENDAR – JANUARY 2019
The January 2019 image was illustrated by Marie V
(Age 10) from Carole Park State School, Qld.

CLICK on the image above to download the calendar page.
Provided courtesy of Mainfreight.
IN THIS ISSUE
– HELLO FROM THE OFFICE
– FEATURE ARTICLE: Windows to Reading at Mackay Children and Family Centre
– SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: The Rotary Club of Mount Gambier
– ROLE MODEL CORNER: Bruce Mutard
– TERM 4, 2018 BOOK CATALOGUE ROLE MODEL COMPETITION WINNERS
– MAINFREIGHT CALENDAR: January 2019
How
THE BRIDGE
Got Its Name
 
Books in Homes Australia named its ezine THE BRIDGE after receiving a beautiful letter from Walgett Community College Primary School a few years ago. It tells a wonderful tale about a much loved mentor from town called Mrs Robyn Pearson. It's a story about being unable to read, getting lost, signs, levies and bridges. Want to read the full letter? Then click the link below.
READ FURTHER
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Website
Email
FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS
Help us raise $2,000 so we can send additional donated books, magazines and gifts to children on the Program.
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SCHOOL SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS
WELCOME TO NEW ROLE MODELS
Welcome to new Role Model Craig Cromelin who is a Councillor representing the Wiradjuri Region on the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.
Welcome to new Role Model Mike Nolan who is the CEO of the Wellington Local Aboriginal Land Council.
 
Welcome to new Role Model Brooke Menser who is on the Operations team at the Mingara Recreation Club on the Central Coast, NSW.
 
Welcome to new Role Model Gary Clark who is the multi-award winning cartoonist of Swamp, and who hails from Brisbane, Qld.
 
Welcome to new Role Model James Martin who is a Storyville Storyteller, as well as an Actor, Writer and Director.
CALL OUT FOR STORIES
CALL TO SPONSORS AND SCHOOLS
If you have a good news story about your Book Giving Assemblies and your partnership with Books in Homes Australia then please CLICK THIS LINK  to email THE BRIDGE editor for submission information.
CALL TO ROLE MODELS
If you are a Books in Homes Role Model and you are celebrating a great coup like a book or product launch, an award, an anniversary or another achievement, and want to be included in the "SHOUT OUT!" column, then please CLICK THIS LINK to email THE BRIDGE editor for submission information.

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