The Paint Auburn Read project was founded on the principles of The Paint the Town Read project initiated by Rhonda Brain past principal of Parkes Pre School in 1996 to foster good literacy practices using a whole of community approach.

Reading Day 2011

Reading Day 2011 was held at Auburn Central on 8 June 2011 with over 200 children and 50 parents attending.

In total 12 businesses participated and 30 Auburn Girls High School students assisted on the day.

During the event, the Hon Barbara Perry MP read a story to children.

According to early literacy research,

• There is nearly a 90% probability that a child will remain a poor reader at the end of year 4 if the child is a poor reader at the end of the year 1
• For 60%, reading is not an easily acquired skill
• 90% - 95% of the poor readers can reach average reading skills with early intervention
• If intervention comes at 9 years – 75% still have difficulty

Aim of the project

• Is to foster community support to nurture early literacy practices in 0-5 year olds.

Objectives of the Project

• To increase children’s early literacy practices & family and community understanding of the importance of early literacy
• To provide families and communities with access to relevant, suitable early literacy activities, role models and support services
• To promote the inclusion of disadvantaged families and increase appreciation of diverse cultural literacy development practices
• To increase community harmony and  inclusion through increased cultural appreciation of multicultural Auburn by sharing stories and songs in diverse community languages

Paint Auburn Read Launch

• Launch was held on the 14th of September 2010 at Auburn City Council Chambers with the assistance of Auburn City Council Children’s services and the working party
• The launch was attended by 15 businesses
• The founder of Paint the Town Read project Rhonda Brain gave the key note speech

How did Auzie spread the word about literacy

• Paint Auburn Read Launch Celebrations
• Brighter Futures Family Fun Day
• Auburn Festival
• Parks Mascot Convention
• Lidcombe Preschool Book Day
• Berala Reading Day
• Auburn Reading Day
• Auburn Adventist Preschool Reading sessions
• ADSI end of year celebrations –Distributed multicultural literacy packs
• ADSI Multicultural Playgroup
• African Festival
• World Health Day Celebrations
• Simultaneous Story Times at Auburn Girls High School, Barnados Long Day Care, Berala Jack and Jill