Favourite book characters stepped off the page and into the streets of Gin Gin this week as local businesses once again took part in Paint Gin Gin REaD.
The annual Book Week initiative saw a record 36 shops and organisations come together to create literary displays, with children encouraged to visit as many as possible.
Books by local author Chelsea Collier inspired two displays, with Gin Gin Hardware showcasing her first book I Can Do Hard Things and Gin Gin Community Kindergarten celebrating her second book Just Jovi.
“Book Week is important because it encourages children to love to read which is really good for our younger generation especially in the age of iPads and technology,” Chelsea said.
“Reading is really important for children’s development and literacy skills and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to be an author, to encourage reading and help foster that love.”
Gin Gin Community Kindergarten director and teacher Tanthia Dixon said the 2026 Book Week theme was the perfect fit for the annual initiative.
“This year’s theme is Symphony of Stories which really reflects the community coming together to create that symphony,” Tanthia said.
“I think it’s very important for children because it helps them become involved in the community through stories.
“It brings the community together, it brings families together, it’s exciting for the children and it’s also a great opportunity to highlight local authors.”
Registered Nurse Wendy Laffey said Gin Gin Hospital staff enjoyed being part of the fun every year.
“We want to encourage kids to read and that anything they can dream, they can achieve,” Wendy said.
“It pulls the community together.
“The kids enjoy it, we enjoy it and it brings a little bit of our childhood back.”
Paint Gin Gin REaD Book Week Competition
As part of the event, a Paint Gin Gin REaD Book Week competition will be held for children aged up to 15, challenging them to visit as many displays as possible.
Participants can list the book featured in each display they’ve visited and enter their completed forms at the Gin Gin Community Hub by 31 August to be entered into the prize draw.
They can also vote for their favourite display with a perpetual trophy awarded to the winners to proudly showcase until Book Week next year.
Paint Gin Gin REaD is a community-wide initiative aimed at enhancing early literacy among children in the Gin Gin region, supported by the Gin Gin Early Years Network.
This Book Week event is made possible through the collaboration and support of Bundaberg Regional Libraries, the Queensland Government’s Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy, and Early Childhood Education and Care.
