A new community initiative at St Joseph’s Primary School in Orbost is putting the principles of Catholic Social Teaching into practice, aiming to ensure every child in the local area has access to books.
Standing on Raymond Street outside the school, the newly installed Little Book House offers free children’s books to local families and visitors.
The project began last year when Jenny Graham, St Joseph’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, received an email from Jenny St John of Communities for Children/Uniting regarding the “Postcards to the Mayor” project.
The students suggested creating a dedicated space where children’s books could be freely shared.
Several students shared their motivations for the project:
Lilly: “Reading helps children have a bigger vocabulary to help them in life.”
Esther: “Poor people may not be able to afford books for their children, so we can help them.”
Aami: “Reading helps you learn and be smart.”
Logan: “People can come anytime, on the weekend or after school.”
Bringing the student-led idea to life required a collaborative effort across several local organisations.
Communities for Children/Uniting supported the initiative from its inception, with staff members Jenny St John and Serrin Bertino helping to coordinates the project.
Serrin Bertino established a partnership with the Orbost Men’s Shed, where Paul, a member of the Shed, constructed the physical Little Book House.
To ensure the shelves were stocked for the launch, Peter, president of the Twin Rivers Lions Club, arranged a donation of children’s books.
St Joseph’s Primary School invites Orbost residents, families and travellers to visit the Raymond Street site, select a book and take it home for children to enjoy.
