In 1996, all Parkes school principals, preschool directors and two midwives, along with Mayor Robert Wilson, launched the community awareness-raising campaign, Birth to Kindergarten – now known as Paint the Town REaD.
The Annual Parkes Community Reading Day is one of the fun and creative strategies used to spread the word about the necessity of providing children a language-rich environment right from birth, as well as celebrating literacy.
This year marks 25 years since the first Reading Day, and in addition, the 9th National Paint the Town REaD Conference is being held in Parkes.
What began as a local campaign has become a nationwide movement, with well over 100 communities and networks across six states.
Parkes is recognised nationally for our exceptional community reading days, and a number of conference delegates are staying an extra night to attend. This is a great opportunity to showcase the Parkes community.
The National Paint the Town REaD Conference will be held on 6th – 7th September, the community reading day on 8th September.