Keen Wyllene's ready to read
09 March 2010
Queensland's first "ready reader" is a former volunteer librarian and tuckshop helper.
Wyllene Banks was the ceremonial first sign-on to the army of reading volunteers when Premier Anna Bligh and Education and Training Minister Geoff Wilson recently launched the Queensland Ready Reader program at Parliament House.
The initiative aims to recruit 3000 like-minded volunteers to boost the literacy skills of Queensland students.
'I'm passionate about reading and learning and I hope I can pass this on to young children so they have the best start to their schooling,' Mrs Banks said.
'Our teachers and teacher aides do a wonderful job, but I'd like to offer some extra support in the classroom to make sure every child has the opportunity to become a better reader.
'The Queensland Ready Reader program is a great way for people like me to give back to the community and nurture our next generation.'
Ready Reader volunteers undertake to read with children in schools and can sign up on the Volunteering Queensland website 
Mr Wilson said the website had information about training requirements and timelines for when the initiative would be launched in specific areas.
'All volunteers will be trained in the "support a reader" process and will be required to go through the standard checks for working with children,' the Minister said.
The first Ready Readers will be in classrooms from second semester 2010 in Toowoomba, Townsville and Wide Bay before the program rolls out statewide in 2011.
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