MP makes bookish donation

FEDERAL member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters launched her annual School Book Donation Program at Kangaroo Flat Primary School last week.

First being held in 2018, it’s the sixth year the program has been run, with a bit of a change-up, Ms Chesters said.

“This year I will be donating the Prime Minister’s Literary Award shortlisted books to local primary schools,” she said.

“That’s five books written by Australian authors so exceptional they have made the PM’s shortlist.”

Kangaroo Flat Primary School Principal, Kim Saddlier, said any tools that can help children develop their reading are vital.

“We know being literate really sets you up for a lifetime of good choices and being able to achieve,” she said.

“We love our library here and we love the work we do in the literacy area and acknowledge that for all children it’s important to not only love reading but to be literate.”

Ms Chesters said the program was put in place to push both students and schools to focus on literacy.

“This program is to encourage kids to read,” she said. “It is to recognise the leadership in schools like Kangaroo Flat that have a library and have a librarian, and to say, good work.”

It’s a program she said the Prime Minister is fully supportive of.

“When I was up in Canberra I spoke to the Prime Minister about this program and he fully endorsed it and was very excited by it,” Ms Chesters said.

“He has even signed a copy of one of the books I will be giving to Kangaroo Flat Primary School today.”