To try to help combat this, Philippa Hudson is starting a reading program at Dungog Public School - and she needs your help.

"If you can spare an hour or two each week or fortnight to come to Dungog Public School and either read to a child or have a child read to you, that would be awesome," she said.

"The difference you could make to a child's reading could be life changing for them and I guarantee the rewards for you would be just as wonderful."

There is no long-term commitment, you can choose the class you'd like to work with and the days you like to come in and you can do as little or much as you want.

Mrs Hudson said the response to the call for community volunteers had been wonderful so far, but more were needed.

"If you could spare any time and are interested in helping our kids, please let me know and I'll provide you with further details around relevant paperwork that needs to be completed," she said.

Improved reading skills for the children was the aim with the volunteers benefiting too.

"That connection, in IGA when the kids see them and they smile is always nice," she said.

You can get in touch with Philippa Hudson by phone - 49 921331.