Preschool kids and students from Canowindra Public School (CPS) and St Edward’s headed along to CPS and took part in a variety of activities on the day which involved reading, listening and speaking.

Canowindra Public School Principal Sharon Hawker said the purpose of Reading Day was to express the importance of literacy skills at a young age.

“It sets you up for life,” she said.

“Before they come to school, it’s very important if they can speak properly, there’s a flow on effect.”

This year marks the first time that all of the schools and different community groups have come together to host Reading Day after the committee failed to receive a grant.

Ms Hawker said it was great to see the community get behind the cause.

“It’s a real community affair, lots of volunteers, everyone came together,” she said.

Kirstin Stevenson from Home-Start Cowra, Canowindra and Weddin was the driving force behind the very first Reading Day and says if even only one child was able to take a home where they weren’t able to before, it was all worth it.

“Every child goes away with a book,” she said.

“It’s not just reading and it’s not scary, you don’t have to be a teacher.”

Kirstin said that without the community rallying behind the event or the sponsors, they day would simply cease to exist.

“That was the dream, a focus on early literacy,” she said.

“I always knew the community would pick it up, the community really said we don’t want this to die.”

Kirstin was successful in gaining a small grant in order to purchase a book for each student on the day, however the committee are still on the lookout for a major sponsor for future Reading Days.

Plans are in place for St Edward’s to host next year’s Canowindra Community Reading Day and for different organisations to share the hosting duties over the next few years. 

The Reading Day Committee would like to thank all of the sponsors and volunteers who helped out on the day.