Creative Design Competition: Celebrate the Joy of Reading!

Dymocks Children’s Charities is inviting students across Australia to take part in our Creative Design Competition. We’re looking for inspiring and imaginative artwork that shows what reading means to young minds — whether it’s a doorway to adventure, a source of comfort, or a spark for imagination.

The competition is open to all Australian students. Winners will receive a $300 book pack, a Certificate of Achievement, and a feature spotlight on our website and social media.

We can’t wait to see how reading inspires the next generation of creators!

Get ready for the Inspired Readers Festival in Port Macquarie!

The magic of books is coming back to the Mid-North Coast! From Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 November 2025 (Term 4, Week 5), the Inspired Readers Festival will celebrate storytelling, imagination, and the joy of reading for primary school students across the region. This festival is all about connecting young readers with some of Australia’s most beloved authors and illustrators, sparking creativity and a lifelong love of reading. Read more here!

This year’s incredible line-up of authors and illustrators include Corey Tutt, Jacqueline Harvey, Jade Goodwin, Joel McKerrow, and Nat Amoore. Through engaging school sessions, students will discover the inspiration behind their favourite stories, explore the creative process, and enjoy interactive experiences that make reading come alive.

The Inspired Readers Festival will conclude with a very special Fundraising Dinner with the Authors at The Westport Club. This unique evening will bring our community together to celebrate the joy of reading and raise vital funds for children’s literacy.

Guests will enjoy an intimate panel conversation with our festival authors, plus a raffle, auction, and other surprises. Most importantly, every ticket purchased and every dollar raised will help put brand-new books into Mid-North Coast school libraries, opening doors to opportunity for local children.

By joining us, you’re not just attending a dinner—you’re investing in brighter futures through the power of stories.

Giving Day 2025 Wrap Up

On Thursday, 21 August, our incredible community came together for Giving Day, raising vital funds to support Dymocks Children's Charities' literacy programs and foster a lifelong love of reading for children across Australia.

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we raised over $50,000, helping us continue to provide brand-new books to children who need them most.

A special thank you to our Foundation Partner, Dymocks Books & Gifts, who matched donations up to $10,000, doubling the impact and ensuring every contribution went further for disadvantaged children.

Adding to the excitement, over 30 incredible authors visited Dymocks stores across Australia, signing books, chatting with customers, and spreading the joy of reading.

We are sincerely thankful to each of them for giving their time and energy to this important cause:

Ali Lowe, Alli Sinclair, Belinda Murrell, Benjamin Stevenson, Cassie Hamer, Darcy Tindale, David Hicks, Eva Amores, Fiona Lowe, Gabriel Bergmoser, George Invanoff, Grantlee Kieza, Jacqueline Harvey, Jeremy Lachlan, Jessica Seaborn, Joel Mckerrow, Juliet Marillier, Kate Foster, Kate Horan, Kaye Baillie, Kristin Darrell, Lili Wilkinson, Madeline Te Whiu, Matt Cosgrove, Meredith Costain, Nat Amoore, Nathan Luff, Ramona 'Mo' Davey, Sarah Foster, Stefanie Koens, Stephen B Platt, Stuart Wilson, Sue Lawson, Tristan Bancks, Will Kostakis, Zena Shapter.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who generously gave their time to help make Giving Day such a success.

If your organisation would like to become a matched giving partner for next year's Giving Day, please contact us here to learn how you can double the impact of donations for children's literacy.

Together, we can continue to inspire young readers, strengthen communities, and make a lasting impact—one book at a time.

Book Week Isn’t Just for Kids: Let’s Celebrate Stories Together!

Book Week (17–23 August) is more than costumes and children’s books — it’s a time to celebrate the power of stories at every age. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, librarian or supporter, this is your chance to reflect on the books that shaped you, and to pass that joy on to the next generation.

This year, make Book Week even more meaningful by joining the Library Boost Project, our flexible fundraiser that helps put brand-new books into school libraries where they’re needed most.

Here are a few simple (and fun) ways for adults to get involved:

• Organise a dress-up day

• Host a  book swap

• Run a story-themed morning tea

• Share your favourite childhood book on social media and tag us!

Every activity can help promote a love of reading or raise funds to support our literacy programs. If you’re not taking part in a fundraiser, remember you can still join us for Giving Day on Thursday, 21 August, where every donation will be matched, doubling your impact for children in need.

Get involved or learn more here!

Inspired Readers Festival returning to Port Macquarie

We're thrilled to announce that the Inspired Readers Festival is heading back to Port Macquarie in Term 4, Week 5 from Tuesday 11 to Thursday 13 November 2025!

After a hugely successful event in 2024, we're once again bringing the magic of books and storytelling back to the Mid-North Coast, creating unforgettable moments for young readers. This three-day literary celebration is designed especially for primary school students, with sessions that connect them directly with some of Australia's most celebrated children's authors.

The Inspired Readers Festival is about more than just books, it's about building community through literacy, especially in regional areas where access to author visits and literary events is rare.

Want to get involved?

Whether you're a teacher, parent, business, or book lover, there are so many ways to support this powerful event:

• Learn more about the festival online

• Become a sponsor

• Share with a school in the area

• Express interest in volunteering

Let's work together to spark a lifelong love of reading in every child.

Learn more here!

SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, 21 August — Giving Day 2025

This Book Week, we're doing something extra special, and we want you to be part of it. On Thursday, 21 August, join us for Giving Day, our annual celebration of generosity, literacy, and community.

Thanks to the incredible support of our Foundation Partner, Dymocks Books and Gifts, every dollar donated will be matched*, doubling your impact for children in need.

Right now, too many Australian children are missing out on the life-changing magic of books. Your support on Giving Day helps us provide brand-new, high-quality books into the hands of children who need them most, boosting their literacy skills, confidence, and future opportunities.

How to Get Involved:

• Donate online from anywhere.

• Visit your local Dymocks store and donate at the checkout.

• Become a matched giving partner

• Give $500+ and you will be proudly displayed on our 25th Birthday Virtual Donor Wall, commemorating your impact during this milestone year.

Plus, something special is happening in-store!

Dymocks will be hosting exciting events at select stores, including author visits and other celebrations. Stay tuned for announcements!

Whether you're a lifelong reader, a first-time donor, or simply passionate about giving kids a brighter future, Giving Day is your chance to make a real difference — and have your impact doubled.