Wimmera children celebrated

Uniting Wimmera has launched a book project celebrating the voices of children living in the region.

The We are Wimmera project is part of National Children’s Week activities.

Uniting Wimmera support for families and community manager Louise Netherway said the 12-month project would culminate in a book collating pictures and words developed by Wimmera children.

“We are Wimmera will celebrate where we live and focus on the strengths and successes of the areas from the view of local children,” she said.

“Over the coming year we will be working with children aged from three to 12 from throughout the Wimmera, collecting a picture of ‘their Wimmera’ and focusing on what it is that makes them smile.

“It might be their family, their friends, their town, or even their backyard.

“This forms part of our focus to bring the voices of the children and families we support into our services.”

Project leaders will select a range of illustrations from different age groups and towns to feature in the book, which will be available to buy across the Wimmera during National Children’s Week in 2018. Ms Netherway said proceeds from sales would go towards supporting vulnerable children and their families through family support programs. Contributors will receive a free copy.

Project co-ordinator Clare Jones said books created by children, for children, helped strengthen their sense of culture, language and literacy skills.

“Through this project we hope to unleash some local children’s creativity, engage them in reading, writing and storytelling, and support their learning and self-confidence,” she said.

“Most importantly We are Wimmera will create a sense of self-belonging and is an example of how we are forging ahead despite a period of change.

“We hope the community embraces it and gets involved by taking up opportunities to contribute artwork.”

Organisers have encouraged children and their families seeking more information to visit a Uniting Wimmera stand at Northfest Family Fun Festival at Cornell Park in Horsham on Saturday. People can also call Ms Jones at Uniting Wimmera on 5362 4000.