Celebrating 25 Years of Impact: Meet the Founders

From left: The Dymocks George Street team with Melanie Smith, John Forsyth and Ann Verschuer.

To mark this milestone, we spoke with our founders, John Forsyth and Ann Verschuer, about the journey, the impact, and their hopes for the future.

The Beginning

“We wanted to make a difference in children’s lives. Giving a child the gift of literacy opens doors to opportunities that can last a lifetime.”

That vision inspired our first major project in 2001: partnering with then-Premier Bob Carr to establish the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. Soon after, John and Ann saw a troubling gap: too many disadvantaged children didn’t have access to books. That realisation became our true calling.

A Moment That Changed Everything
One story has always stayed with them:

“A father came to us in tears. He told us that Dymocks Children’s Charities had given his daughter her very first book. It set her on a path of education and ambition that may never have happened otherwise.”

The Joy of Choice
Over the years, John and Ann have seen how children’s literacy has evolved, and how Dymocks Children’s Charities has grown to meet those changes. One of their favourite initiatives is Book Bank, which lets children choose their own books:

“It’s lovely to watch a child’s eyes light up when they receive their books. The secret is allowing a child to choose, rather than telling them what to read.”

Looking Forward

“We hope the charity continues to inspire a growing number of kids, helping them fulfil their dreams and become the best they can be.

From a father’s tears at his daughter’s first book, to thousands of children discovering the joy of reading, John and Ann’s vision has transformed countless young lives. We are proud to celebrate their legacy, and excited for the next 25 years.