The Shire of Plantagenet acknowledges the traditional owners of the land the Menang Noongar people and welcomes the Hazara peoples that choose to call Plantagenet home. Please be advised this page contains culturally sensitive information and may include names and stories of Elders past.
Reading for Generations
The Reading for Generations project is the telling of four stories sourced from our cultural treasures in Plantagenet. The stories weave local Noongar history with childhood folk stories from Afghanistan, taking our junior readers on a journey of surprises, adventure, family, love and hope.
Reading for Generations showcases a true community partnership, where Indigenous elders and the next generation of leaders from the Plantagenet Hazara and Menang Noongar community generously shared and recorded their stories that have been passed from generation to generation.
The stories aim to engage a new generation of early readers. Each of the stories are presented with dual languages so our Noongar and Hazara families can enjoy the gift of reading in English and their traditional language.
Booklovers can also enjoy listening to their traditional bedtime tales with readings in Menang Noongar or Hazaragi available to download.
These tales provided the framework to showcase local youth art skills, as students from the Mount Barker Community College worked alongside children’s author and illustrator, Leanne White, and Mount Barker Community College Art Teacher, Jay Klinac, to bring the stories to life through students' hand drawn illustrations.
The year-long effort by Years 4, 5 and 6 art students bring the pages to life, giving these stories from the past a new vibrancy and energy into the future.
The result is four traditional tales available to listen as an audio download, viewed online to read or available in a picture book to hold and enjoy.
These stories capture a moment in our local history and will continue to circle in Plantagenet’s community for everyone to enjoy.
Congratulations to the Mount Barker Library for creating this initiative, providing a new opportunity for young readers to start their early literacy journey no matter their language background, and for encouraging all readers to feel welcome and celebrated.
This project has been supported by funding provided by the Shire of Plantagenet and the State Government of Western Australia, through the State Library’s Better Beginnings program. Thank you also to Mount Barker Community College for your generous support and commitment.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
A poor honest woodcutter discovers gold and riches by using a secret password. See what happens when his treasure is discovered and the thieves want it back.
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is a traditional Hazara folk tale. This story was told to Ali Sina Azimi by his family and now he shares it with us.
Generously shared by Ali Sina Azimi
Download e-book Download audio file - listen in Hazaragi Download audio file - listen in English
Scan the QR code to purchase your own copy:
The Farmer and the Snakes
A hardworking farmer bravely faces thieves and snakes - what happens next? Join his adventure and find out if he discovers the treasure he deserves.
The Farmer and the Snakes is a traditional Hazara folk tale. This story was told to Ali Sina Azimi by his family and now he shares it with us.
Generously shared by Ali Sina Azimi
Download e-book Download audio file - listen in Hazaragi Download audio file - listen in English
Scan the QR code to purchase your own copy:
Little Boy Lost
A little boy is missing and the whole town is searching. The thunder is rumbling - a storm is brewing. The dirt turns to mud. Will they find him in time?
Meet Sammy Miller, local hero, who uses bushcraft and cultural wisdom to save the little missing boy.
Jeanice Krakouer has generously shared the story of Little Boy Lost, as told to her by her father Eric Krakouer.
Download e-book Download audio file - listen in Menang Noongar Download audio file - listen in English
Scan the QR code to purchase your own copy:
The four storybooks were launched at Mount Barker Community College on 3 April 2025.