Wimmera-Mallee municipalities will reap the rewards of Premier’s Reading Challenge Book Fund money to ensure they have access to listed books in 2022.

More than 71,000 young Victorians ‘explored exciting new worlds and built their literacy skills’ as part of this year’s challenge, now in its 17th year.

Education Minister James Merlino announced the government would invest an extra $1.1-million to ensure all children had access to the listed books next year. 

Municipalities to share in the funding include Ararat Rural City, $6064; Buloke, $5616; Hindmarsh, $5538; Horsham, $7116; Northern Grampians, $6082; West Wimmera, $5400; and Yarriambiack, $5643.

“Reading not only fosters a lifelong love of learning, but helps kids build important literacy skills that will remain with them for life – a huge congratulations to every Victorian child who has picked up a book or 40 this year,” Mr Merlino said. 

“I also want to congratulate every parent and carer who has supported their child’s learning and love of reading as part of this challenge.”

Victorian children aged from pre-school to year 10 collectively made their way through more than 2.8-million books between March and September for the challenge, which this year celebrated the theme ‘Open Up a New World’.

The annual event encourages children to read a set number of books – including picture books, short stories, poems or non-fiction books – and record their efforts online.

The entire December 1, 2021 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!