Chris’s Highlights
- Visited The Hub at St George in May to attend SLQ Workshop. I was able to meet staff from Balonne, Maranoa, and Goondiwindi Councils. It was also good to speak with Michelle Swales (Local Government Coordination) and Margretha Gould (Content and Client Services) from SLQ
- I attended Highfields Library official opening on 19 September.
- Being involved with the QPLA Conference in October at Bundaberg (even though my contribution to delivering a top-class conference was very little).
- I value the professional development that I have gained by being a member of the Board. I have learnt so much from the other Board members’ experience and knowledge of the library industry. Their dedication and passion for libraries is to be admired. The connections and friendships I have made by being a Regional Representatives have been the biggest highlight of the year. I look forward to what we can achieve in 2023.
Regional Highlights
- Southern Downs Regional Council
- The biggest news from Southern Downs for 2022 was the start of work on the Stanthorpe Library/Art Gallery extension.
- The Warwick Library staff decorated a library tree for the Community Christmas Tree Festival at St Mark’s Anglican Church.
- Paroo Shire
- The biggest highlight for us was hosting a visit to Cunnamulla Library by Evonne Goolagong Cawley. She attracted a huge crowd who were inspired by her story.
- Unveiling of our “new look” library featuring our new “S” shelving containing two reading nooks, as well as a new custom reading nook in our children’s area.
- Goondiwindi Regional Council
- The expansion of Book Lovers Group to the Inglewood Library, hosted soon after the completed renovations of the Inglewood Library and Customer Service Centre (post-flooding in November/December 2021)
- Plenty of author talks back on the calendar – Fleur McDonald, Nicole Alexander and Andrea Murray in partnership with BushKids and local kindergartens in Inglewood and Texas.
- South Burnett Regional Council
- MEDIEVAL PARTY! The Kingaroy Library was full of laughter and smiles at the Medieval Party held in July 2022. Families participated in games at the Medieval Tournament, snapped memories in the photo booth, decorated their very own crowns and castles, made dragons from play dough, had their faces painted by the wonderful Karla’s Carnival, were read a story by Knight Crusader Shelley, participated in the best dressed comp AND eagerly waited to hear who would become the very first Ruler of Libraria!
- OUT AND ABOUT During 2022, library staff were out and about in the community visiting schools, kindergartens and playgroups. South Burnett Libraries also attended BaconFest, Under 8’s Day, the Nanango markets and the Kingaroy Christmas Carnival – just to name a few!
- Western Downs
- Delivery of Words Out West Festival – 15 Events over 9 Days; 10 Towns; 16 Presenters; 635 Adult Attendees; 1,808 students at the school days
- Winning QPLA Local Government Gold Award for Shout Out – Youth Storytelling Competition
- Balonne Shire
- The opening of Balonne Shire Council’s ‘Hub’ facility (incorporating the St George Library and co-located Country Universities Centre) in February with over 200 people attending the opening.
- Hosting SLQ workshop in May
- The St George launch of Clare Fletcher’s debut novel Five Bush Weddings
- Coordinator’s attendance (and Lightning Talk!) at QPLA Conference
- Somerset Regional Council
- A big hello from Somerset Libraries!
- Our small team has achieved big things in 2022. We have started our own Homeschool Connect program which has connected our Home-schooling communities to each other, and to our Library service. It has been wonderful to see the friendships grow and to learn new skills and talents along the way.
- This year we also started our Community Garden in Lowood. This garden has been well received by green and grey thumbs alike! We have loved learning new gardening tips from our customers and look forward to learning more next year!
Great to see such amazing initiatives taking place across the South-West region.
