Councillors present a ballet extravaganza to raise funds for the Imagination Library

• Goondiwindi Region Councillors once again support the Dolly Parton Imagination Library with an evening of classical dance and music
• The Queensland Ballet 2024 Regional Tour promises to be a spectacular experience
• The Councillors will be donning their chef hats to tantalise guests' taste buds with quality hamburgers and snags, as well as cheese platters with proceeds supporting the Imagination Library

The Goondiwindi Region Councillors proudly announce their support once again for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library with an enchanting evening of classical dance and music by the Queensland Ballet 2024 Regional Tour.

Residents across the region are invited to attend the performance on Wednesday 28 February at the Waggamba Community Cultural Centre with proceeds supporting the Imagination Library program.

The Queensland Ballet will present four glittering works from an emotive story of love to a collage of tutus and Tchaikovsky music, to one of the most celebrated excerpts in the ballet world, this production features rich stories that will captivate lovers of music and dance.

Councillor Susie Kelly who holds the portfolio for Rural Services and Community Facilities said it promises to be a classical dance extravaganza.

“There’s a short compilation of Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and there are also swash-buckling pirates,” Cr Kelly said. “And, of course always executed with the technical brilliance of classical ballet.”

“We saw this performance from the Queensland Ballet as an opportunity to fundraise for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, and I think we can all agree that childhood literacy is a worthwhile cause.”

“We’d love for the community to come along and enjoy a great night out while supporting local early childhood literacy,” she said.

The seven Councillors are keen to ensure the Imagination Library’s longevity in the Goondiwindi region and are thankful to the program partners, CARE Goondiwindi and United Way Australia and other sponsors for their support.

“Incorporating classical ballet 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, and enhance listening skills and vocabulary,” said Councillor Jason Watts who holds the portfolio for Transport, Roads and Youth.

Councillor Phil O’Shea who holds the portfolio for Arts and Culture, 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.

The Councillors will be donning their chef hats to tantalise guests' taste buds with quality hamburgers and snags, as well as cheese platters.

“All the Councillors are keen to raise funds for the Imagination Library on a regular basis, so we would like to keep overheads low,” Cr O’Shea said. “The bar will be open at 5 pm and pre-orders for dinner are available.”

The Councillors launched the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program to encourage parents to read with their children. The program has proven to enhance language and literacy development in the early years.

The Imagination Library program sends a new book to registered children in the region every month, from birth until their fifth birthday, provided that they were born after 1 March 2022. The books are directly delivered to their mailbox.

“The books are hand selected and age appropriate so any baby born in 2024 that is living in the region can enrol to receive a book direct from the program each month,” Cr Kelly said.

“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.

The Queensland Ballet 2024 Regional Tour

When: 28 February 2024

Time: Bar opens at 5 pm

Doors open – 7 pm

Show starts – 7.30 pm

Where: Goondiwindi Waggamba Community Cultural Centre

Dinner: Pre-orders available

Purchase your tickets here: https://www.goondiwindicinema.com.au/event/qb-on-tour

Anyone can donate to sponsor a child through the Imagination Library, and interested residents are encouraged to contact Council for further information. Local hospitals will help new parents sign up for the program during postnatal care, or else parents can find the registration form online here: https://imaginationlibrary.com/au/affiliate/GOONDIWINDI