AUGUST 11, 2015 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
(Damjan Janevski)
Rich diet for bookworms Hume council has jumped on a global movement that encourages parents to read 1000 books to their children before they start primary school. Mayor Adem Atmaca said the challenge would prepare youngsters for a “lifetime of literacy”, and was supported by research showing that children need to be significantly exposed to literacy skills for a smooth transition to classrooms. The 1000 Books Before School program will be officially launched at the Age Library in the Hume Global Learning Centre on August 25 from 11am. The free event will feature talks by best-selling author and illustrator Jeanette Rowe and Sue McKerracher, chief executive of the Australian Library and Information Association. “The simple act of reading to a child delivers so many wonderful benefits,” Cr Atmaca said. “Parents who read story books out loud help develop the vocabulary and language skills of their children.” Enrol at any Hume library. More details: www.humelibraries.vic.gov.au Lexi Cottee
ANASTASIA, 5, AT BROADMEADOWS LIBRARY
‘Teach anti-violence’ call By Lexi Cottee The Broadmeadows Legal Centre has called on the state government to take a long-term approach to family violence by tackling it in the classroom. In the legal centre’s submission to the Royal Commission on Family Violence, report author and family violence lawyer Anita Plesa recommended that all schools adopt a program promoting respectful and healthy relationships for students from prep to year 12. Since 2010, the legal centre has conducted a family violence prevention program with Roxburgh College’s year 9 students.
The program aims to challenge young people’s perception of family violence by exploring the legal system and family violence myths, and examining healthy relationships. Ms Plesa wrote that the program was a longterm investment. “It will be generational change that will ultimately make the difference in reducing family violence in future,” she wrote. “Our involvement with the students has shown that a fundamental shift in their attitude to family violence can occur if young people are given the opportunity to have information and open discussion on these issues.” In a program evaluation survey conducted
last year, one year 9 student wrote: “It helped me and I realised I was treating my girlfriend wrong. Perfect, amazing, helpful and meaningful presentation.” Legal centre community legal education co-ordinator Flora Culpan said primary school teaching of the subject was not too early. “I often say to the kids, you’re the ones who are going to make a difference,” Ms Culpan said. “It’s about how you deal with things when they’re not going the way you want … it all comes down to respect.” The legal centre also recommended the state government invest in existing community
groups, such as the Craigieburn-based Oorja Foundation, that are attempting to tackle family violence in migrant communities. Ms Plesa said that, based on her experience, Indian women in Australia were particularly vulnerable and reluctant to access family violence services. “The Indian community itself will be the most effective driver of change,” she said. “To an extent, change cannot be imposed on them but must develop and be effected by the Indian community itself.” The commission is due to provide its report and recommendations to the government by February 29 next year.
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