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Multilit on track for big things

Macquarie’s hugely successful children’s literacy program, MultiLit, is celebrating 20 years of helping children read in 2015.

MultiLit began in 1995 under the leadership of Macquarie University’s Emeritus Professor Kevin Wheldall AM, with a remit to improve children’s literacy with an approach based upon scientific, evidence-based best practice.

It has supported various community-based reading programs for children facing particular disadvantage, including the Exodus Foundation’s ‘Schoolwise Project’ and its work with Noel Pearson in Cape York, as well as achieved more mainstream success: MultiLit now has a presence in over 25 percent of schools in Australia.

“As part of our 20 years celebration we will be having a few special events and activities this year to celebrate this important milestone,” says MultiLit Director Dr Robyn Beaman.

One recent event was the SydneyCoastrek on 6 March, where two teams of four walked the 55km from Palm Beach to Balmoral, to raise money for the important work of The Fred Hollows Foundation.

Many of the people working for MultiLit are Macquarie alumni, Dr Beaman says, a figure that is reflected in the makeup of the Coast Trek teams with seven of the eight MultiLit walkers graduates of Macquarie University.

Thanks to the support of friends and colleagues, the teams collectively raised $6,360.