This year, hand-in-hand with the MS Read-a-thon, Brascoe Publishing was given the opportunity to offer a deserving bush school a writing workshop. The schools had to apply for the prize, telling both Debbie Adams (at the MS Read-a-thon)
It was a tough call, and not one to be taken lightly. In addition to their reasons for wanting the workshop, the prize organisers had to sort through which school had had the greatest return for their size to the MS Read-a-thon.
'It was a difficult decision,' recalled Leticia. 'We got a lot of entries that talked about curriculum benefits, but we wanted to get a sense that the kids themselves would be happy with the prize. Curriculum is important, but so are the kids.'
Initially leaning towards Karoonda Area School, a small concern in rural South Australia near Pinaroo, because of the fact that they have a high proportion of boys that rarely get exposed to such a creative workshop, Brascoe eventually decided on Bordertown.
'Bordertown is further away - about five hours from Adelaide, and nearly six from Melbourne - so it's really isolated. And they have an engaged bunch of kids there. I think all of those who said they'd do the Read-a-thon completed it, and that's a great effort.'
Brascoe Publishing will be heading out to Bordertown for a day of workshops later this year, in term four.
The organisation also runs workshops for other schools, businesses, and libraries around the state as part of its drive to benefit and support upcoming and emerging writers. This includes workplace writers, who may have fallen into the role by accident.
Brascoe Publishing is not shy about travelling into the heart of the bush to deliver workshops to those who need them, and can work with teachers, libraries, and employers to develop a workshop that is going to be appealing, engaging, and fun for all concerned.
To enquire about writing workshops run by Brascoe Publishing, contact Leticia Supple on 0421 925 382, or by email at info@brascoebooks.com.au. Further information can be found on their website: www.brascoebooks.com.au.
