Rein plays role in literacy project
Stapleton, John. The Australian [Canberra, A.C.T] 08 May 2008: 6.
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Abstract
While Mrs [Janette Howard] was notoriously wary of the media and kept a low public profile during her 11 1/2 years at Kirribilli House, Ms Rein was more assured yesterday as she mixed with some of the book industry’s senior figures after her first speech in Australia as the patron of a charity.
“Sharing stories is such an important part of creating a shared culture,” she said.
“We want to close the gap,” shesaid.
Full Text
THERESE Rein demonstrated yesterday she will be quite different from her predecessor, Janette Howard, when it comes to public speaking.
While Mrs Howard was notoriously wary of the media and kept a low public profile during her 11 1/2 years at Kirribilli House, Ms Rein was more assured yesterday as she mixed with some of the book industry’s senior figures after her first speech in Australia as thepatron of a charity.
The wife of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has become the patron of the Indigenous Literacy Project, a national book industry initiative in partnership with the Fred Hollows Foundation to improve literacy in remote indigenous communities by providing books for children.
The literacy project is backed by authors including David Malouf, Andy Griffiths and Geraldine Brooks, as well as the AustralianSociety of Authors and the Australian Booksellers Association.
As the first Prime Minister’s wife to be a successful businesswoman in her own right, exactly what public role Ms Rein would play has been a subject of considerable speculation.
In New York in March, she made an outing as patron of the charity Common Ground Australia, visiting its sister organisation in New York.
In Sydney yesterday, she described literacy as a pathway to improving the lives of indigenous Australians.
Ms Rein said that while many Australians took access to books for granted, it was often a challenge for indigenous Australians to achieve even basic literacy. She told how as a young girl she had read almost every book in her local library and has continued to read throughout her life.
Her books, she said, “have become old friends to me — they are the best way to while away what seems like interminable hours on planes”.
Reading books to her own children, she said, had also been a source of joy. She told of how, when reading one of the Harry Potter books to her children, they had insisted she keep on reading while they poured her a glass of wine and made the evening meal.
“Sharing stories is such an important part of creating a shared culture,” she said.
“It is easy to take access to the written word for granted. Not everyone has access to a library.”
Ms Rein said many adults in remote communities were not readers and were not reading to their children. There was no access to interesting, varied or age-appropriate books.
“We want to close the gap,” shesaid.
The Indigenous Literacy Project, was a critical part of that endeavour, she said.
“This project is important news, it enables us to tell good news stories and celebrate progress.
“This project matters. It is making a difference.”
Ms Rein said members of the general public could help the project by buying a book at one of the 400 participating bookshops around Australia. Publishers and booksellers have pledged their support, and will donate a percentage of their sales on September 3, Indigenous Literacy Day.
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