Opera aims to help support another 100 Goondiwindi Region children to be gifted books each month

• More than 100 children from our region were registered to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in the last year
• Councillors are raising funds through the upcoming Opera Queensland performance to assist with more children participating in the program.
• Opera Queensland ‘Lady Sings The Maroons’ performance to be held at the Goondiwindi/Waggamba Community Cultural Centre on Thursday 1 June. Book now!

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library program has gifted books into the hands and hearts of more than 100 children across the Goondiwindi region since June 2022.

This wonderful opportunity exists for young local families to instil the love of books into their child from birth until their fifth birthday.

This year the Councillors have volunteered to coordinate the upcoming Opera Queensland performance on Thursday 1 June to help raise funds to enable more Goondiwindi region families to sign up for the Dolly Parton Imagination library.

‘Lady Sings The Maroons’ will entertain locals and visitors on Thursday 1 June, 7 pm.

Tickets are $12 per adult and $5 for children under 16, and as part of the fundraising the Councillors are also offering scrumptious curries or canapés for people to pre-order.

“This latest performance is for those who enjoy opera but also those who simply love music; it’s a mix tape of songs that people know and love,” said Councillor O’Shea.

“All funds raised from the ‘Lady Sings The Maroons’ performance at the Goondiwindi Waggamba Community Cultural Centre will go directly to the Goondiwindi Dolly Parton Imagination Library program.”

Goondiwindi Regional Councillors introduced the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to help local parents to engage with their child and books in ways that boost language development and early literacy.

Councillor Phil O’Shea who holds the portfolio for Arts and Culture, said those who attended the Opera Queensland 2021 Goondiwindi performance of ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’ would remember how fun and entertaining it was.

“The night was a sell-out and we can’t wait to see this new performance.”

“Incorporating music and reading is like having the best of both worlds and the opportunity to instil both into our young ones can help their creativity grow, enhance listening skills and vocabulary,” Cr O’Shea said.

Councillor Susie Kelly who holds the portfolio for Rural Services and Community Facilities said the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program has been very successful and I am happy it’s continuing for another year.

“The Imagination Library is a collaborated effort between Council, Care Goondiwindi and United Way Australia and other sponsors,” she said, “The books are hand selected and age appropriate so any baby born in 2023 that is living in the region can enrol to receive a book direct from the program each month.”

Councillor Jason Watts who holds the portfolio for Transport, Roads and Youth said the Imagination Library means that all Goondiwindi Region children can have a great selection of books at home, to support what’s already on offer at our local libraries in Goondiwindi, Inglewood and Texas.

Tickets for the performance of “Lady Sings The Maroons’ are available now.

Adult: $12 Under 16: $5.

Doors open at 5.30 pm and the bar and pre-show food will be available from then. The show begins at 7 pm sharp.

To purchase tickets and order meals: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lady-sings-the-maroons-tickets-535726300787

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library gifts every registered child in the region, (born after 1 March 2022), a new book to keep, direct to their mailbox, every month from birth until their fifth birthday.

The delivery also includes parent ‘tip sheets’ to help guide parents to engage with the books in ways that are shown to boost language development and early literacy.

“I think we can all agree that childhood literacy is such a worthwhile investment and will reap lifelong benefits for our region,” Cr O’Shea said. “Research suggests that 85 per cent of brain development occurs by age 5 - we know that homes with more books tend to have better educational outcomes for children, and that means setting them up for a higher chance of success in the future.

The investment for each new child enrolled in the program is just $9 per month - $108 per year, or $540 for the full five years of the program. The donation is tax-deductible.

You can find the form to register here: https://www.unitedwayaus.com.au/event/dpil-goondiwindi/home