The Reading Day was started more than a decade ago and over the years, has involved huge numbers of local school students and residents.

Some of the biggest names in children’s books and others dignitaries, including former NSW Governor Marie Bashir have come to Parkes to open the event.

In recent years however, the Reading Day has not been staged locally, although it has been promoted in many other centres across Australia.

Instigator of the Birth to Kindergarten iniative which developed the Reading Day concept, Rhonda Brain, revealed to the Champion Post last week that plans were now in place to re-commence the event.

“There’s been a bit of a groundswell to re-stage a community reading theme and a Community Reading Day,” Rhonda said.

“Our thought is Paint Parkes REaD Poppies, to work in with the special significance of this year (100th anniversary of Gallipoli).”

Rhonda said a local woman, Pietta Bridge  attended the fifth annual Paint The Town  REaD conference in Wollongong and returned keen to “re-ignite” the Reading Day.

“It will have a slightly different format but all the fun build-up activities.  

“We will be driving the revival for this year.  I will be teaching Pietta the ropes, so she will be able to take it over next year.

“One activity we are looking at is to get as many people (of all ages) as possible to make a red poppy, using any media they like, and contribute that poppy to decorating the town on Reading Day.

“We hope to hold the Parkes Community Reading Day on November 10, the day before Remembrance Day and that way, the red poppy decorations can remain until after the ceremony on November 11.

“I have spoken with President of the Parkes RSL Sub Branch, Arthur Parker and he is happy with the concept,” Rhonda said.

Parkes Mayor Ken Keith has also been requested to invite Governor General, Sir Peter Cosgrove to officially launch the project theme.

“We hope the Governor General will carry out this task at the war memorial in Cooke Park, and read a very short picture book of Simpson and his donkey to littlies, or just pose for a photo.”

The Reading Day concept was designed to further promote the idea of reading to children at birth.

“It is imperative we recommence giving a book to every new-born,” Rhonda said.

“We have had strong support for this to occur, as well as offers of funding for the books for babies.

“At least five different parties have asked me, “When is the Reading Day, this year?” They mustn’t realise there hasn’t been a community reading day for a few years!”

Rhonda said there are already three ideas being looked at for the community event:

1. A verse-speaking competition featuring poems from WW1 era, such as In Flanders Fields as well as  Ataturk’s wonderful message of reconciliation.

2. Changing the words of war songs to focus on reading...eg ‘Pack up your stories in our old kit bag and read, read, read.’

“I will allocate each song to different clubs/organisations/business houses and they can sing them on Reading Day,” Rhonda said.

3. Stand cardboard cut-outs of WW1 soldiers, one in Metro Plaza (probably) and the other at the Post Office, with a “mail box” in front of them.

“People will be encouraged to imagine the soldier is their son or father or husband, fighting in WW1 and to write a letter to him. The letters could be on display and some published in the Champion Post.”

“We are also going to do a modified day at Tullamore and Trundle and Peak Hill, on the same theme.

Rhonda is visiting the battlefields of France and added she was thrilled to be able to bring two of her passions together in the one theme!