NORTHERN BEACHES RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO VOLUNTEER TO BECOME READY READERS

_{14 May, 2010}

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Member for Whitsunday, Jan Jarratt is encouraging local residents to register for the Bligh Government’s Ready Readers program.

The Government is looking for volunteers across the social spectrum: late-teen students, parents and carers and business people.  

A trial in three Queensland regions has already been extremely successful with 533 Ready Readers signed up; the youngest 18 and the oldest in his 80s.

Ms Jarratt said local residents could now contact Education Queensland to become involved in local schools.

“Once registrations are received local volunteers will go through the Blue Card application process, reference checks and undertake specialist Education Queensland training.

“Local training will be help periodically over the next six months once registrations are received.

“It is hoped that we can get local Ready Readers trained and working in our local schools as soon as possible.”

Ms Jarratt said Ready Readers will be making a significant contribution to the Australian volunteering movement, which involves more than five million people donating their time to help others.

“Ready Readers are a key element of the State Government’s A Flying Start for Queensland Children initiative of community discussion about the future of education.

“Research shows that only 62% of Queensland children are regularly read to or encouraged to read at home.

“We know that simply reading to kids at an early age helps their development.  That is why this program is so important.

“I encourage anyone with spare time or an interest in helping improve literacy levels in our local community to get involved.”

All volunteers can sign up through the Volunteering Queensland website at www.volqld.org.au.
 
Media contact:

Jan Jarratt
4945 3343
whitsunday@parliament.qld.gov.au

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