Books for brighter futures: Dolly Parton Imagination Library comes to South Gippsland

Outtrim Masonic Lodge, with FFV support, and along with several community groups in the area, have helped the Gippsland Southern Health Service (GSHS) to bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to South Gippsland.

L – R: WBro Russ Anthony; Louise Sparkes - CEO GSHS; WBro Vito Spicuzza; WBro John Follett; GSHS Allied Health Manager Sara Mullery.

The program - named for Dolly Parton’s mission to honour her father and ignite a love of reading in children worldwide, provides free, age-appropriate books each month to children from birth to age five, supporting early literacy and helping to build school readiness. More than one million books have already been delivered to Australian children through the initiative, which is coordinated nationally by United Way Australia.

In South Gippsland, children are referred to the program by GSHS allied health professionals, midwives, supported playgroup facilitators and maternal child health nurses. Inclusion criteria have been developed to support vulnerable and high-risk families, with around 50 to 60 local children set to benefit over the next five years.

Thanks to the support of Freemasons Foundation Victoria, the Outtrim Masonic Lodge, and other community partners including the South Gippsland Shire Council, Uncle Bobs Club, Koringal Women’s Service Club, KCDA, Lyrebird Auxiliary and the Korumburra Lions - the dream of delivering free books to local families is now a reality.

“We are so grateful to Russ Anthony and the Outtrim Masonic Lodge for helping us bring this dream to life for families in South Gippsland. Thank you, Freemasons, for believing in the power of books and joining us in shaping a community where every child has the tools to succeed.”

— Gippsland Southern Health Service