I was excited to recently join the team at Paint Inner West REaD at Marrickville Pavillion to celebrate the birthdays of their mascots Garranga Bumarri (pelican) and Gadi (dog). Paint Inner West REaD takes a whole community approach to read, talk, sing, rhyme, play and draw with children from birth so that they will be ready for reading and writing when they start school. Literacy is a key skill that enables not only academic success, but also advanced contributions to society later in life. Endeavouring to build a foundation of a love for reading through accessibility and enjoyable story times throughout our community, Paint Inner West REaD contributes to carrying successful outcomes into school. Established in 2016 Paint Inner West REaD is still going strong holding regular story time sessions across the Inner West. Congratulations and thanks for your dedication, Lindy Alwis, Neha Jain and all involved with Paint Inner West REaD.