“So, next time someone doubts you / Or you feel you don’t belong, / Muster all your inner strength / And prove that someone wrong!”
These inspiring lines set the tone for this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime, which was celebrated across the High Country for the 18th consecutive year.
The chosen book for 2026 was Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller, written by football veterans and Australian authors Adam Jackson and Adrian Lloyd, and colourfully illustrated by award-winning artist Jake A. Minton.
Upholding a wonderful local tradition, the year seven students from Swifts Creek P-12 School produced a theatrical adaptation of the book, performing the play for local schools, kindergartens, and families across the High Country.
The story was brought to life through the clever use of props and costumes, creating the atmosphere of a real football match. The younger audience members were fully immersed in the performance, holding up signs to “cheer” or “boo” as goals were scored.
The narrative follows Luna, a rookie kangaroo who is unexpectedly chosen to captain her team, FC Victory, against rivals Bush United. After battling pre-game nerves and self-doubt, Luna makes a critical first-half mistake that allows Bush United to score.
Discontented and doubting her abilities, she manages to muster the courage to keep going, lifting her teammates’ spirits with an inspiring halftime speech. Luna returns to the field with newfound confidence, learning to trust herself, lean on her teammates, and persevere through tough moments, ultimately leading her team to a hard-fought victory.
The book’s inspiring messages of perseverance, teamwork, and self-belief shone through as the year seven students performed the story alongside large displays of each page. The performance was a resounding success, with delighted young spectators demanding an encore at both the Swifts Creek and Omeo sessions.
The events drew a wide range of age groups, from babies, toddlers, and kindergarten children through to primary students and parents. Attendees included representatives from Omeo Primary School, Omeo High Country United Early Learning Centre, Swifts Creek P-12 School, and Swifts Creek Kindergarten. Participating families each received a complimentary copy of the book to take home.
The Schools as Hubs initiative acknowledged the exceptional efforts of the year seven class and their teacher, Rhianne Obst, for their hard work in delivering an engaging and meaningful performance for their younger peers.
Organisers emphasised that literacy forms a vital foundation for life and learning, noting that community events like National Simultaneous Storytime are a highly effective way to share an enthusiasm for reading and foster a lifelong love of books in children.
National Simultaneous Storytime is one of many annual events supported by Schools as Hubs, which is funded by Communities for Children Uniting.
