The inaugural Harvest Moon fundraiser has been declared a success after raising $20,000 towards the Dolly Parton Imagination Library project in Narrabri and public art.
Held in the immaculate garden of Jocellin Jansson’s McClintock Street home, the celebration was a Rotary and Friends event.
Ms Jansson, the Rotary Club of Narrabri president, served on the organising committee alongside Helen and Anna Dugdale, Deb Michell-Smith, Brooke Dalton and Sophia Manchee.
Guests were treated to delicious canapés and drinks as well as entertainment by the spectacular Goldheist (Hester Fraser).
Ms Jansson thanked her fellow organising committee members for their extraordinary efforts in making the event a success.
Addressing the gathering of more than 100 attendees, she said there was work to be done in addressing local literacy levels, with half of the night’s proceeds supporting the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Narrabri Shire.
The project will provide a book every month to a child from birth to five-years-old.
Leo Krikmann, of United Way which is the license holder of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Australia, spoke at the gathering about the impact of the simple act of a free book every month for a child.
The project has been running for almost six years in Tamworth, with the first cohort of children who have benefitted from the initiative now entering the school system.
Mr Krikmann said primary school teachers had reported a great increase in the literacy levels of children as a result of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
“They’re the most advanced they’ve ever seen because all the children, every child born in that community, has been on that program for five years,” he said.
Dolly started the program 29 years ago as her father was illiterate and she wanted to do something to support her local community.
Since then, the initiative has expanded globally and now has three million children on the program around the world.
“In Australia, we have 46,000 and it’s growing rapidly. Much due to the generous support of people like yourselves,” Mr Krikmann said.
The program is funded in Australia by organisations, communities, councils and government.
“It’s all about your community,” Mr Krikmann said.
