Dolly, books and loads of fun

Playing the role of the diminutive singer was Donna Cavanough who spoke about the program before performing renditions of classic Dolly Parton songs such as Nine to Five and Joelene.

Set up by Dungog Early Literacy, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library sends out an age appropriate book to all children signed up to the program with the goal of fostering literacy with young children.

Dungog Early Literacy's president, Anne Higgins said that the opening on Tuesday, May 7 was timed perfectly with the arrival of the first books.

"Most of the people there already knew about the program but that's fine because we were really just celebrating the fact that we now have children receiving books," she said.

"It's happening in a rollout but we got an email from someone the very night of the launch to say that a book had arrived.

"We've had a few mums contact us to let us know they're excited because the book has arrived."

Leading up to the launch Ms Higgins was hoping that the event held at the Royal Hotel would attract potential new sponsors and encourage them to donate to the cause.

This was successful with Ms Higgins reporting five new donors.

"The new sponsors are people who have committed to pay for the enrolment of a child for a year and we would hope when we contact them in another year's time that they would again," she said.

Certificates of appreciation were handed out to the organisations that sponsored the event including Dungog Council, Dungog and Paterson Rotary Clubs, Dungog RSL, Dungog and Clarence Town and Paterson CWA.

Leading up to the opening night Dungog Early Literacy had 15 children signed up for the program. According to their Facebook page they now have over 20 babies who will receive monthly books for the next five years.

With the committee receiving enrolments from across the Shire, Dungog Early Literacy is encouraging parents of young children to apply.

Enrolment forms can be found at Dungog Library. Contact Anne Higgins at 0403029181 for more information.