A community history story-telling mission inspires young hearts
Since 1973, Quota Beenleigh has stood as a quiet yet powerful force for good in the Logan community. With a heart firmly fixed on supporting children, youth, and families in need, this local volunteer group continues to find new and meaningful ways to connect, uplift, and inspire.
One of their standout initiatives is the much-loved QuoCKa Reading Program—an imaginative and impactful blend of community connection and childhood literacy. The quirky name says it all: Quota, Cops, Kids, Altogether.
And that’s exactly what it is—a coming together of different community corners to share a love of reading with local children.
Quota Beenleigh member Margaret George explained the origin of the book’s concept:
“We found that children had little knowledge of their local area, and there wasn’t a book for them to learn from.”
The aim is simple and profound: to boost literacy, nurture a sense of belonging, and build relationships between children and their broader community. The program isn’t just about books—it’s about connection.
Local police officers, Quotarians, high school volunteers, community leaders, and sporting stars all pull up a chair to read to small groups of children. At the end, each child is gifted their very own book, with their name proudly placed on a sticker inside the cover and signed by their reader. A moment of pride,
ownership, and joy resonates long after storytime ends.
Quota Beenleigh’s latest literary gem is Logan:
Then & Now, a beautifully illustrated children’s picture book and the second in the Sugar Sweet Stories
series. Officially launched in October 2024, the book is a collaboration between illustrator and educator Megan Forward and author and teacher Karen Tyrrell.
Together, they created an exploration of Logan’s past and present—page by page.
The book’s unique layout tells two tales side by side: one of history and one of today. On one page, readers may find the Eagleby Wetlands teeming with native flora and fauna as they once were. Conversely, the same wetlands have
transformed into vibrant sporting facilities, buzzing with local life. This storytelling approach sparks curiosity and encourages a deep appreciation for change, heritage, and continuity.
Megan Forward, a passionate advocate for local history and arts education, says the book fosters intergenerational conversation and connection.
“I received feedback from grandparents,” she shares, “that the information helped connect the children with their own lives and how they had grown up.”
One standout illustration features children playing quoits and riding a hobby horse outside Mayes Cottage—offering a window into yesteryear and prompting conversations about play across generations.
But Logan:
Then & Now doesn’t stop at storytelling. It’s also a springboard for creativity. The book has inspired hands-on workshops in schools, libraries, and museums where children create their old-style maps, tracing their lives—homes, playgrounds, shops—with history and imagination as their guides. It’s learning made personal and place-based pride made tangible.
“There’s so much richness here that often goes unnoticed,” Megan says.
“People drive past Logan on their way to the Gold Coast without realizing the incredible history of the Yugambeh people or the stories held in the soil of our farming lands.”
Through stories, art, and a whole-community effort, Quota Beenleigh continues to build bridges—between generations, between past and present, and between kids and the joy of reading.
- To learn more or to participate in workshops, contact Megan Forward at
[email protected] or visit www.meganforwardstudio.com.au. - Visit Quota Beenleigh at quotabeenleigh.org.au and Facebook.
