A host of some of Western Australia's best known sports stars today joined Education Minister Peter Collier as he officially kicked off the 2013-14 Premier's Summer Reading Challenge.
Premier Colin Barnett said that this year parents could also join the challenge and help raise funds to support people living with Multiple Sclerosis.
Presiding over 'The Great Read Out', Mr Collier said it was a fantastic way for children to start the challenge to read over the long summer holidays.
"It's very important for children to develop a love of reading from an early age. We know that if children are read to from birth, and keep up reading through their childhood, they are much more likely to develop good literacy skills and be successful in school," he said.
Mr Barnett said the challenge had raised more than $50,000 for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA since the partnership began in 2011 and encouraged all WA families to get involved and take up the Premier's Summer Reading Challenge.
Some of WA's most well-known sporting role models, including Eagles player Josh Kennedy and Dockers player Tendai Mzungu, were joined at The Great Read Out by WA children's authors and illustrators.
They all expressed how important reading was to them and encouraged children to get involved in the challenge.
All children who finish the challenge and send in a completed entry form go into the draw to win an overseas adventure holiday for the family plus $2,500 towards accommodation thanks to Challenge sponsor Qatar Airways.
Join the challenge online at http://www.summerreadingchallenge.org.au
Fact File
The Great Read Out was held at the Urban Orchard, Perth Cultural Centre with children's authors Sean Avery, Sally Carbon and Deb Fitzpatrick; West Coast Eagles player Josh Kennedy; West Coast Fever player Josie Janz and Fremantle Dockers player Tendai Mzungu
Challenge runs from December 2, 2013 to January 31, 2014
Children are challenged to read (or be read to) for 15 hours or more, or about 15 minutes a day, over the nine weeks
Challenge is sponsored by Qatar Airways and Channel 9
Education Minister's office - 6552 6300
