The event run by Forbes Birth to Kinder aims to celebrate reading and raise awareness about the importance of reading to children right from birth.

The theme this year is ‘connect to reading - reading to connect’, and to celebrate this, the Forbes Birth to Kinder committee has been working hard to provide some fun activities for the day. 

The day will feature a Yala Gari performance by Darren and Sharon Sutherland at Forbes Town Hall, children’s activities in the Anglican Church Hall provided by schools, and story time with Freeda the Reader from Orange Civic Library. 

The morning will be very busy and families with young children are invited to come along to take part at each of the sites which will be marked by red balloons on the day.

All early childhood centres and primary schools in Forbes participate in Reading Down Town Day, beginning at 9.30am.

Community activities will be finished by 12pm.

President of Forbes Birth to Kinder, Nat Walker, said that Reading Down Town Day is not only an opportunity to celebrate reading but also to increase awareness about the importance of reading to children right from birth in the community. 

“We are asking parents, teachers, schools, businesses and the general public to support and encourage our families to read to children right from birth so that every child may have a better start to a life of learning,” she said.

Major supporters of Reading Down Town Day include Essential Energy, St. George, Forbes Shire Council and Forbes SaCC. 

Essential Energy’s regional manager southern, Steven Ilitch, said this local initiative is important as it is encouraging children to read and learn. 

“Forbes Reading Down Town Day is a fantastic community initiative,” he said.

“This type of community program is what Essential Energy’s support program aims to do – assist a worthwhile initiative that benefits the local community.”

For more information contact Forbes Birth to Kinder president, Natalie Walker on 6850 2300 or email nataliew@forbes.nsw.gov.au.