JULY 3 2011 Page 41 ST thesundaymail.com.au 41 NEWS Chapter on devotion Tireless worker educating PNG kids Vaughan Mayberry ‘‘We started sending books to all parts of PNG and what started as a bit of a hobby has now turned into a bit of a life’’ HEATHER DOONAN HEATHER Doonan is not your average bookworm. She loves reading but collects books for a more spiritual purpose – for shipping to remote, disadvan- taged schools and hospitals in Papua New Guinea. It’s this kind-hearted, thankless task that has led to a nomination in the Care & Compassion category of this year’s Pride of Australia medal. Her self-funded Books For PNG Kids collects children’s books from schools and libraries in Brisbane and sends them to areas in PNG that lack the most basic educational tool. Up to 300 boxes of books are stacked in her home at any one time, with anything from baby pop- up books through to Year 8 text and reference books. This year alone she has sent more than 1000 boxes – just a fraction of what’s been supplied – to some of the most primitive parts on the planet over the years. It all started when Heather and husband George were living in Fiji and discovered many kids there didn’t have books to read. They sourced books through their second-hand clothing busi- ness and it snowballed. But when they started heading to PNG for business they realised the education system was worse than Fiji and desperately needed help. ‘‘We’d go into schools where there were no books and others where the maths department is a bucket with stones in it,’’ she said. ‘‘If you’re trying to teach child- ren how to read without books you can imagine how hard it is. ‘‘What we figured is if you can get the kids reading early – hook a child into reading when they’re young – and they will keep reading. ‘‘So we started sending books to all parts of PNG and what started as a bit of a hobby has now turned into a bit of a life.’’ More than 20 years on, Mrs Doonan is still running her inspir- ing little operation out of her New Farm home without fanfare. Constant heavy lifting, juggling business commitments and raising four children hasn’t stopped her packing up to 100 boxes per week. There’s another trip to PNG this month to check on the program’s progress and help more kids miss- ing out on this essential life skill. ‘‘It takes a lot of time and energy but I’m very passionate about what I do. I don’t particularly want the publicity for myself but if I can get more books out of it that would be great. I always need more books.’’ To donate books, visit http://booksforpng.vpweb.com.au To nominate an unsung hero go to prideofaustralia.com.au. Nominations close 5pm, July 26. NOMINATION FORM P24 Radio station struggle A RESIDENTS’ group battl- ing a Queensland council has been linked to a bold attempt to take over a radio station owned by the same council. The Ratepayer Action Group Moreton Bay has been locked in a battle with the Moreton Bay Regional Coun- cil on Brisbane’s northside, launching a series of protest meetings about water price rises as high as $300 a year. Now the group has been accused of attempting to gain control of cash-strapped com- munity radio station 99.7FM in Redcliffe. Ratepayer Action Group member Dennis Austen told The Sunday Mail last week local business owners had been looking at helping the station, but denied the group had held discussions with it. Run by the Moreton Media Group, 99.7FM operates from a leased council building in the centre of Redcliffe. Station representatives had approached Moreton Bay Re- gional Council for financial help but were told it was unable to provide funding. Kelmeny Fraser *Conditions apply, see advert for full details. FLY FREE OFFER: Fly Free economy airfare applies to all Apr. & Aug. 2012 departures of UT18VEIS. Air taxes of up to $640 are included & is subject to change. Strictly limited offer on set departures. Subject to availability at time of booking. FROM Brisbane. Flight Centre Limited (ABN 25 003 377 188) trading as Flight Centre. Licence No TAG262. MKT9381 Fly Free to Canada See our ad in today’s ‘Escape’