AVID young readers from Doveton were treated to another spectacular literacy event last week.
A crowd of curious children gathered to discover what was inside the gigantic reading egg at the Paint Doveton REaD event at Doveton College on Wednesday.
The egg has travelled around Doveton Library, kindergartens and early learning centres throughout the region in the past three months in order to promote the importance of children’s literacy.
The children from Doveton College read and sang to the reading egg and eventually saw it hatch into a possum.
Rex the Possum, the inaugural mascot for Doveton, enjoyed his time reading to the children and having his photo taken in the reading garden.
A hardworking group of volunteers from the Collier Group, under the guidance of United Way’s Miranda Jacques, had created colourful, child-friendly raised garden beds around the reading gazebo near Doveton College’s Early Years Centre.
Face painting and badge making capped off Wednesday’s event with more than 100 children, parents and health service providers turning out to paint the town REaD on the warm Melbourne day.
Doveton College Community Engagement Officer Mark Roberts said the reading event was definitely a great benefit for the children.
“Without the help of dedicated volunteers, parents and United Way, this Doveton community event would not have been possible,” he said.
“We’re seeing more and more children are finding that reading has never been more fun.”
For more information about United Way and its programs, visit www.unitedway.com.au.
