Mendel coming to the Murray for Australia Day celebrations

A speech pathologist and co-founder of the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation (ALNF), Mrs Mendel will be in the region in her role as Australia Day Ambassador for Murray River Council.

Keen to share her passion with community members invested in helping children and youth to achieve reading and writing skills, Mrs Mendel will host a community dinner on Thursday, January 24 at Moama’s Border Inn.

Murray River Council mayor Chris Bilkey encouraged local educators, health professionals, libraries, indigenous services and other interested community members to meet with Mrs Mendel at Thursday’s dinner.

“With a wealth of experience in developing literacy programs and courses, we will certainly have one of Australia’s finest literacy specialists right on our doorstep,’’ he said.

“I’d therefore encourage interested community members to head along to grab a meal or a drink and sit down with Mrs Mendel to chat about all-things-literacy.’’

Much of her life has been dedicated to raising language and literacy standards in Australia, a pursuit that led her to establish the ALNF.

A philanthropic organisation, the ALNF raises funds to develop, implement and sustain innovative projects for individuals, families and communities.

Mrs Mendel has also authored a number of programs and courses including the Early Language and Literacy Program, the Learning to Read and Write in First Language program and CALIL – Coding Aboriginal Languages for Indigenous Literacy.

As well as being appointed an Australia Day Ambassador, she was a finalist in The Australian of the Year Awards, an inaugural judge on the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and a consultant on NSW Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Task Force.

All community members are welcome to come and chat with Mary-Ruth Mendel at Moama’s Border Inn on Thursday January 24 from 6pm.

To RSVP, contact Julia Polkinghorne at Murray River Council on 0409 736 244 or jpolkinghorne@murrayriver.nsw.gov.au