Heather Doonan collects books from schools and libraries in Brisbane and ships them to remote areas in Papua New Guinea that lack educational resources. She has shipped over 1000 boxes of books this year alone through her nonprofit Books For PNG Kids. Doonan started the program over 20 years ago after discovering many children in PNG had no books, and it has grown from a small hobby into a major operation. She hopes to continue educating PNG children and getting more books to remote areas.

1. thesundaymail.com.au NEWS 41
Radio
Chapter on devotion station
struggle
Tireless A RESIDENTS’ group battl-
ing a Queensland council has
worker been linked to a bold attempt
to take over a radio station
owned by the same council.
The Ratepayer Action
educating Group Moreton Bay has been
locked in a battle with the
Moreton Bay Regional Coun-
PNG kids cil on Brisbane’s northside,
launching a series of protest
meetings about water price
rises as high as $300 a year.
Vaughan Mayberry Now the group has been
accused of attempting to gain
HEATHER Doonan is not your control of cash-strapped com-
average bookworm. munity radio station 99.7FM
She loves reading but collects in Redcliffe.
books for a more spiritual purpose Ratepayer Action Group
– for shipping to remote, disadvan- member Dennis Austen told
taged schools and hospitals in The Sunday Mail last week
Papua New Guinea. local business owners had
It’s this kind-hearted, thankless been looking at helping the
task that has led to a nomination in station, but denied the group
the Care & Compassion category of had held discussions with it.
this year’s Pride of Australia medal. Run by the Moreton Media
Her self-funded Books For PNG Group, 99.7FM operates from
Kids collects children’s books from a leased council building in the
schools and libraries in Brisbane centre of Redcliffe.
and sends them to areas in PNG Station representatives had
that lack the most basic educational approached Moreton Bay Re-
tool. gional Council for financial
Up to 300 boxes of books are help but were told it was
stacked in her home at any one unable to provide funding.
time, with anything from baby pop-
up books through to Year 8 text Kelmeny Fraser
and reference books.
This year alone she has sent
more than 1000 boxes – just a
fraction of what’s been supplied – ‘‘We started sending books to all parts of
to some of the most primitive parts
on the planet over the years. PNG and what started as a bit of a hobby has
It all started when Heather and
husband George were living in Fiji
now turned into a bit of a life’’
and discovered many kids there HEATHER DOONAN
didn’t have books to read.
They sourced books through four children hasn’t stopped her
their second-hand clothing busi- packing up to 100 boxes per week.
ness and it snowballed. There’s another trip to PNG this
But when they started heading to month to check on the program’s
PNG for business they realised the progress and help more kids miss-
education system was worse than ing out on this essential life skill.
Fiji and desperately needed help. ‘‘It takes a lot of time and energy
‘‘We’d go into schools where but I’m very passionate about what
there were no books and others I do. I don’t particularly want the
where the maths department is a publicity for myself but if I can get
bucket with stones in it,’’ she said. more books out of it that would be
‘‘If you’re trying to teach child- great. I always need more books.’’
ren how to read without books you as a bit of a hobby has now turned
can imagine how hard it is. into a bit of a life.’’ To donate books, visit
‘‘What we figured is if you can More than 20 years on, Mrs http://booksforpng.vpweb.com.au
get the kids reading early – hook a Doonan is still running her inspir-
child into reading when they’re ing little operation out of her New To nominate an unsung hero go
young – and they will keep reading. Farm home without fanfare. to prideofaustralia.com.au.
‘‘So we started sending books to Constant heavy lifting, juggling Nominations close 5pm, July 26.
all parts of PNG and what started business commitments and raising NOMINATION FORM P24
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JULY 3 2011 Page 41
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