Peter Gzowski Invitational-
Golf Tournaments for Literacy

The 10^th Annual Peter Gzowski Golf If Tournament for Literacy (PGI) was held on June 14, 2001 at Bally Haly Golf ,and Curling Club in St. John's, NF. A 'night-before' event was held on June 13 with a host of generous local performers providing entertainment for golfers and guests. This added to the festivities for this special anniversary celebration.

The PGIs are the most successful literacy fund- raising events in Canada, generating more than $6 million over the last fifteen years. Since its introduction in Newfoundland and Labrador, the tournament has raised over $170, 000.00 to support local literacy groups. All funds raised by the local PGI stay right here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Of course, one of the most moving events to occur at the tournament is the awarding of the Individual Achievement Award. This award is given to an adult learner who has demonstrated remarkable progress in his/ her journey toward becoming literate and in continuing his/her education. This year, Mr. Wayne Harris of Mark- land was selected as the winner of this award.

Two literacy groups were also recognized for their commitment to literacy in this province and were awarded $5,000.00 each to assist them in helping literacy students in their areas. The Laubach Learning Centre in Marystown and the Baie Verte Peninsula Economic Development Association received this year's award. Both groups offer adult basic education in their respective communities. Two additional groups received high quality color printers for use in their learning centres, courtesy of Epson Canada. The Employment Preparation Centre in Comer Brook and the Rabbittown Learners Program in St. John's received the printers.

2001 was a very good year for the PGls in Newfoundland and Labrador. We look forward to the next PGI on June 20, 2002! Mark your calendars now and come out for a great day of fun on the greens in support of literacy!

Literacy Action Day 2001

Each year in Canada, literacy stakeholders mobilize and descend upon Parliament Hill on Literacy Action Day to bring literacy issues to the attention of the Federal politicians and policy-makers. This year, Literacy Action Day was celebrated on October 25.

Cecil Godwin, MP George Baker, and Della Coish

The Movement for Canadian Literacy invited Cecil Godwin and Della Coish to attend the event in Ottawa. Cecil is Newfoundland and Labrador's Representative on the Movement for Canadian Literacy's Learner Action Network and Della is the Director of the Literacy Development Council of Newfoundland and Labrador.

All delegates gathered early in the morning on October 25 to attend a breakfast and networking session hosted by Senator Joyce Fairbairn. Following breakfast, Della and Cecil attended a meeting with MP Gerry Byrne (Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte), followed by meetings with MP George Baker (Gander-Grand Falls) and later, MP Loyola Heam (St. John's West). Cecil and Della also met with an Assistant to MP, Norman Doyle (St. John's East). The delegates were thrilled with the level of support and enthusiasm they encountered during each of the meetings and were very pleased with the number of meetings they were able to attend (some participants from other provinces met with only one or two parliamentarians). Indeed, the elected representatives of Newfoundland and Labrador were very accessible and willing to spend time with us discussing literacy.

One of the issues raised during the meetings with the MPs was the National Skills and Learning Agenda that was referenced in the Throne Speech. While MPs could not say with certainty that the National Skills and Learning Agenda would be a priority for government during these trying times, they assured the delegates that they would support the initiative and continue their support of literacy groups in Newfoundland and Labrador. MPs also pledged their support for agencies including the National Literacy- Secretariat (HRDC), which plays an integral role in funding literacy projects in this province. MPs also invited letters and literacy updates from all literacy stakeholders in the province. They advised the delegates that staying in touch with elected officials and drawing their attention to local literacy issues would go a long way toward ensuring literacy makes it back to a priority location on the national agenda.

The Movement for Canadian Literacy (MCL) did an exceptional job in planning the event and in arranging meetings with Federal MPs at the request of the many provincial and territorial literacy organizations. The event was deemed a success and it is hoped that MPs gained a renewed awareness of literacy issues in Newfoundland and Labrador.