A Little About Ursula

Ursula Stephens is a NSW Labor Senator-  actively involved in the third sector in Australia. Ursula is a strong advocate for social innovation, social entrepreneurship and social inclusion. She mentors social entrepreneurs and supports social enterprises across Australia.

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Media Releases

LOCALS URGED TO MAKE 2012 A YEAR OF READING

The National Year of Reading is designed to tackle taboos around illiteracy by promoting a culture of reading in every home, school and workplace.

 

“The Australian Government has thrown its support behind the National Year of Reading and provided a funding package of $1.3 million, because we want to help every Australian make reading a significant part of their lives,” Senator Stephens said.

 

“There are a number of ways you can participate in the National Year of Reading, with events being held at libraries and schools across the region.

 

“I encourage people of all ages to contact their local libraries, schools and community groups and find out how they can participate in this exciting year-long celebration of reading.”

 

There are a number of ways you can participate including:

 

• The Reading Hour, which is a call to action for parents and caregivers to share a book with their children for an hour each week, or 10 minutes a day. The campaign will also challenge Australians to read for one hour on Saturday 25 August 2012.

 

• One Country Reading – Read this! book referral program, inviting young Australians to nominate the one book their peers must read in 2012.

 

• One Country Reading – Are we there yet? children’s competition, inviting under 12s to share a story about their home town or a special place they have visited.

 

The National Year of Reading was launched Tuesday 14 February, 2012 at the National Library of Australia by Prime Minister Julia Gillard, joined by Minister for the Arts Simon Crean and Minister for School Education Peter Garrett.

 

The Gillard Labor Government is committed to improving literacy for all Australians.

 

It is providing $540 million under the Smarter Schools National Partnership to deliver sustained improvements in literacy and numeracy.

 

As well as working to improve literacy for school students, the Government is also investing an additional $182.8 million over four years to improve the language, literacy and numeracy skills of Australian adults.

 

The National Year of Reading will complement Australia’s first National Cultural Policy in almost 20 years which is currently being developed.

 

For more information on the National Year of Reading visit www.love2read.org.au