The initiative, aimed at fostering a love of reading and strengthening early literacy skills, has captured the community’s heart and the help of 41 individual sponsors and fourteen group sponsors.

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Dungog Early Literacy Chairperson Anne Higgins said the group initially formed out of a shared passion for literacy among friends.

“We wanted to make a difference on a local scale,” she said, emphasising the grassroots nature of the organisation.

A new connection with Hunter New England Health has broadened the program’s reach, with Baby Health nurses distributing enrolment forms to new mothers during home visits.

The partnership has sparked further interest in the program, alongside strong community engagement.

Anne acknowledged the steady flow of support from local sponsors, who help cover the program’s ongoing costs.

“People see the value and are happy to donate [by] sponsoring a child,” she said.

With this backing, Dungog Early Literacy plans to keep the program running long-term.

In addition to these efforts, the Friends of the Dungog Shire Community Centre recently launched a Pop Up Bookshop on Dungog’s main street, generously supported by Westwood Providores.

“The shop contributes ten percent of its earnings to the Dungog Shire Community Centre and the remaining 90 percent to support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library,” Anne said.

To become a sponsor or to donate to the Imagination Library in Dungog, head to: donate.unitedway.com.au/donations-dungog.

By Shannon BENTON