Launches | Paint the Town REaD

Her Excellency, Mrs Hurley launches REaD and Sing with Me at Home.

By Barbie Bates | 27 April, 2020

This morning, Her Excellency Mrs Hurley launched our national campaign, REaD and Sing with Me at Home, on the Governor General of Australia’s Facebook page, by singing a song she has composed for us.

The campaign aims to remind families everywhere to read and sing with their children during this time of social isolation — and beyond.

Mrs Hurley loves singing and, as a teacher, parent and grandparent, knows so well how important (and fun!) reading with children is.

She launched the campaign by reading ‘GoGo and The Lost Book’, compiled by Paint Liverpool REaD, singing the song she has written for PTTR, and placing her own teddy in the gates of Government House.

To get inspiration about how you can participate, follow Paint the Town REaD and — above all — read and sing at home!

WA Governor to open 2019 National Conference

By Barbie Bates | 24 January, 2019

We are thrilled that the Honourable Kim Beasley AC, Governor of Western Australia, will be opening our 7th national early literacy conference on Thursday 21 March 2019, following Marie Taylor’s Welcome to Country.

The theme for this year’s conference is Books and Bonding Builds Brains — it’s what the Doctor orders.

Welcome Aunty Booka

By Barbie Bates | 20 March, 2018

Aunty Booka – the mascot for Paint the Booka REaD hatched last Friday. She had a great time at her birthday party, as she was read to by the Mayor of Wanneroo, Tracey Roberts, Cr David Boothman from the City of Stirling, Margaret Quick, the member for Girraween and Janine Freeman, the member for Mirrabooka plus lots and lots of children.

Four Birth Announcements

By Barbie Bates | 11 November, 2017

Paint the Town REaD is proud to announce the births of four new mascots over the past four weeks: Berky the Brush Turkey, Paint Mackay REaD (Qld), Parker the Platypus, Paint the Central Coast REaD (NSW), Agi the Red Tailed Black Cockatoo, Paint Shoalhaven REaD, Black and Yellow (NSW) and Lizzie the Lizard, Paint the Westside REaD (SA).

Berky wants to play the didge — Berky the Brush Turkey

Platypus mascot in deck chair reading — Parker the Platypus

Lizzie the Lizard with friends — Lizzie the Lizard with her friends Parker and Di from Paint the Parkes and Gardens REaD

The crowd gathered for Lizzie’s hatching at Woodville Town Hall, Adelaide

Paint Mackay REaD

By Barbie Bates | 31 July, 2017

Welcome to Paint Mackay REaD. Their magical REaDing Egg arrived at the Mackay Library, last Thursday. It was welcomed by a big group of children and their parents, supported by the Mayor, Cr Greg Williamson and Cr Ayril Paton.

As children read with the egg, their parents help them put their name on it. We can’t wait to meet the brush turkey which will hatch out! And how do we know it is a brush turkey? Because there have been two wonderful books written about the egg already by Pam Gargett and Carly St Clair, and beautifully illustrated by students from Slade Point State School.

Mackay’s Reading Egg has arrived!

REaDing Bug hatches in Moree NSW

By Barbie Bates | 21 June, 2017

Friday 16 June saw close to 100 children with their parents and carers Welcomed to Country by Auntie Barb on the steps of Moree Library, before they followed the local firies inside, who were carrying their reading egg.

There were calls of VICTORY when their new Reading Bug hatched, with the children eager to read, sing and touch their special friend. The morning finished with photos with the Bug, a red morning tea (healthy!) and a new book for each child attending. Fireman Adam was the last person to read to the egg before hatching and Marla Hosegood, the local Commonwealth Bank Manager, the first to read to the newborn.

Last Days to register for the Conference amidst a busy month, where we welcomed Paint Shoalhaven REaD

By Barbie Bates | 26 April, 2017

With our 6th National Conference on next week, you only have a few days to go to register. So use the links to the right, to take you straight to the registration page!

And whilst everyone is preparing for the Conference, the Aboriginal Elders in Shoalhaven NSW have been busy giving their mascot egg to the children, supported by Mayor Amanda Findley. Children in Moree NSW are also reading with their egg and Parker Pelican in the Parks and Gardens in Adelaide has celebrated his first birthday, with a huge party of about 400 people, where there was lots of singing and families reading together in the local community park.

Elders leading reading at Paint Shoalhaven, REaD, Black and Yellow

Paint Marrickville REaD launches

By Barbie Bates | 13 March, 2017

Garanga Bumarri, a beautiful Pelican mascot, hatched last Friday, with the support of the local children, parents, midwives, police, firies and pollies.

Hon Linda Burney MP gives the pelican his name, supported by local children and health ‘delivery’ staff.

Queensland welcomes three new mascots

By Barbie Bates | 12 September, 2016

Bundaberg, South Cairns and Deception Bay are the homes for three new mascots who love being read to: two turtles and a kookaburra respectively.

Turtle mascot with support crew — Bundaberg turtle with a stunning egg

South Cairns turtle on stage — South Cairns turtle mascot

Kookaburra mascot with seated children at launch — Kookaburra mascot, Deception Bay