Tamworth has a new ambassador for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. Golden Guitar winner and local mum Aleyce Simmonds has taken the reins after local artist Ashleigh Dallas stepped down.
Aleyce is a songwriter, storyteller and mum, and her daughter Georgia receives books through the program.
“Spending time with our precious little ones and stories is something I’m truly passionate about,” Aleyce said.
“As a songwriter, storyteller and mum, these special moments mean so much, and I’m so proud to play a part in keeping Dolly’s legacy alive in our community.
“Dolly was an incredible trailblazer. In a world full of men, she was someone who knocked down doors and did incredible things. It’s really an honour to be aligned with someone like that and an initiative like this.
“It’s such a special time to not only receive the book in the mail and unwrap it together, but to help Georgia gain a lifelong skill in reading, and that connection between parents and children reading the book, looking at the pictures and Georgia reading her version of the books back to me is just really special.
“It’s a true gift in all senses of the word: it turns up in our mailbox and it’s a gift of reading, connection, love and togetherness.”
The Country Music Capital’s youngest book lovers embraced their denim and sequins to mark Dolly Day on Friday, September 25, which raised money to help more families to access the literacy program.
The day honoured Dolly’s legacy and supports the local program, which delivers free, age-appropriate books to children each month.
The Dolly Day initiative came from American country star Garth Brooks, who wanted to honour the late Queen of Country on 9/25 (or 9 2 5), September 25 in Australia. It is also one month since Dolly Parton’s death.
Aleyce said the program’s link to Tamworth’s country music identity made it even more meaningful.
“Because we are Country Music Capital, it’s so special to be aligned with Dolly, and it’s one of those situations where country music has aligned to benefit the community,” she said.
“The council have jumped on this to support our community, but it’s still intertwined with our country music.
“For anyone who loves country music and Dolly, who we thought was going to magically be here forever, this is a way of keeping her vision and legacy alive hopefully for generations, to talk about her and her music and everything she did for the world, and make sure our kids know who she is and know her music.”
Central North Regional Library Learning Communities Manager Kay Delahunt said the program made a meaningful difference to childhood literacy outcomes in the region.
“Reading is one of the most important foundations for a child’s education and development,” she said.
“The Imagination Library and Baby Book Time at local libraries help connect children to the joy of books before they even start school.”
Tamworth Regional Council Program Ambassador Lisa Rennie said the program has run since 2019 thanks to the generosity of local sponsors and Council. The cost per child is $108 per year.
“It’s our responsibility to see it continue for the more than 3,400 children in our community currently enjoying the program and for future kids too,” she said.
“We couldn’t do it without these fundraising days and the support of sponsors like Council, McDonald’s and Wests Entertainment Group to name a few.”
A PhD study focused on Tamworth in recent years found that children in the local Imagination Library program were being read to more often and for longer, and had more books in the home, than the average Australian child. After receiving ten books, children in the program were more than 2.3 times more likely to be interested in reading (48–60 months). Children receive a total of 60 books over the five years.
Ninety-eight per cent of eligible babies in Tamworth are registered. The Tamworth community and Tamworth Regional Council financially support the program at $31,500 per month, or $378,000 each year.
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