Children deserve a great start, whether it’s being ready for day one at school, learning to read, discovering new sports or getting assistance through our Chances program.


Doug, the reading bug

Doug the Reading Bug is the mascot of the Born to Read project which encourages parents to read to children from birth. He runs Children’s Story Time at libraries and schools across the shire: often as pyjama parties!

The early years brain research shows that a person’s learning pathways are established in the brain by the age of three. The power of reading to children should never be underestimated. Reading and sharing stories with young children is vitally important in helping children develop life long skills for learning.

Doug's message is simple 10 minutes a day, talk, sing, play - share a book today.

 If you’d like Doug to visit your school, group or event, including Children’s Story Time, contact us on 4992 1133.

cHILDREN Doug reading at Story Time, with helper Kieren small.png

Other Community support information

Wesley Mission, Rural Family Worker

Kaleidoscope

Dungog Library Storytime

Samaritans Early Intervention Program

Supporting kids 0 to 8 with autism, developmental delays or disabilities.

Daniel Morcombe Foundation 'Help Me' App

A great way to not only help keep kids safe, but assist people of all ages, from 7 to 97, covering all kinds of personal emergency situations.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

The 'Help Me' button sounds a warning and allows you to can send off an SMS text to two (2) nominated 'safety' numbers, as part of your Trusted Safety Network. Included in the text are GPS coordinates from where the text was sent, so the sender can be located or a last known place of contact is indicated.