Central Qld Regional Rep Peta Browne has been catching up on the latest activities from across the central region.
Bundaberg Regional Libraries
Trivia Quiz – Teamific Global Quiz
Bundaberg and Gin Gin Libraries are participating in Teamific’s Global Quiz on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. This is part of our adult programming which encourages fun and social connection. Participants watch the quiz video and answer via the online form. There are 5 rounds of 10 multiple choice questions with a different theme each round and 5 short bonus rounds at the end. The questions are of medium difficulty so it’s a bit of a challenge, but not too hard. Each team can see their ranking beside the other libraries and organisations participating. Participants are having a lot of fun and feedback has been very positive!
Teamific Global Quiz is a paid subscription service. Teamific have previously been active in the aged care space..
The Teamific Global Quiz video presentation
AI Literacy Hub Grant
We have been successful in obtaining a grant from the Good Things Foundation to establish the library as a hub for safe and practical AI education. As part of this we will be showing participants the immediate, practical benefits of using AI, for example for resume writing and general task assistance.
Gladstone Regional Libraries
How Do You Library? Campaign
The How Do You Library campaign was well received in the community with marketing focusing on radio and cinema advertising. The campaign resulted in an increase in membership and many of our patrons recognised staff from the cinema advertising.
Gladstone promotion for How Do You Library?.
First 5 Forever Partnerships
In the F5F space two new partnerships resulted in well attended programs at multiple branch locations.
Deb Stewart, Early Language & Literacy Trainer from the Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation, delivered a workshop for parents covering the development of early language and literacy skills and why they are so important for a child’s overall growth. Families received resources to follow up at home.
The other program, delivered in December and January, is the result of collaboration with local Gooreng Gooreng artist Taurean Roe (cultural education specialist). The aim of the story time session is to share culture and language with local families encouraging our young children to connect.
Christmas Fun
December was a big month for Gladstone Libraries as we celebrated 21 years of Santa Letters. The service has grown to almost 1,000 replies last year and takes a dedicated group of staff to formulate replies and send the letters to very satisfied families….and of course we had cake to celebrate!
Also in December, the library courier van was commandeered by the Grinch on Christmas Eve and patrons were asked to post to social media if they found the van or the Grinch. This was a fantastic day for staff,and also members of the public who spotted the van and joined in the fun. The van was returned safe and sound and we still haven’t figured out where the Grinch went or what she did…….
Mackay Regional Libraries
Big Summer Read Campaign – December outcomes
Mackay have had strong results from the first month of the Big Summer Read campaign:
- Junior Fiction collections saw a 5% increase compared to November and an impressive 7% growth compared to December last year with a total of 4115 loans in December.
- Young Adult collections also performed well, with a 2% increase from the previous month and a 1% rise compared to December last year with a total of 448 loans in December.
These results demonstrate engagement with Junior Fiction and Young Adult collections. As part of this initiative, participants were invited to share what they love about their library, and we’ve received some wonderful feedback which is another positive impact of this campaign.
Current Stats
158 active online users with 1,854 books logged. Manual entries (those not participating online) are expected from January 31.
whitsunday
Whitsunday Regional Libraries have commenced 2026 with strong and positive community engagement across early literacy, youth development, senior connection initiatives and service innovation.
Early Years & School Holiday Engagement
We wrapped up our 2025 First 5 Forever program with wonderful festive-themed end-of-year celebrations at each branch, giving facilitators and families the chance to celebrate the growth and connections made throughout the year. December was also a special time as we acknowledged several of our regular attendees preparing to transition to school in 2026. At Proserpine Library, many of these children return through kindergarten visits, and their familiarity with the space clearly supports their confidence in participating with peers and engaging independently within the library environment.
Building on the success of last year’s flexible delivery model, libraries again offered self-led, drop-in school holiday activities for December. This approach continued to increase accessibility for families, removed booking barriers and allowed staff to maintain strong service delivery during a high-demand period.
Across the month of January, activities included badge-making, calming watercolour sessions, LEGO free-builds, pool-noodle monster workshops and a range of creative summer crafts.
Attendance was strong across Bowen, Cannonvale and Proserpine, with Collinsville recording increased participation compared to the previous year. The January program created an energetic and welcoming start to 2026, with many families returning across multiple sessions.
Adult Programming
End-of-year adult programs embraced a festive theme and provided opportunities for low demand creativity and connection.
Participants in Bowen and Collinsville created snowflake ornaments from recycled book pages, while Cannonvale and Proserpine attendees decorated wooden cheeseboards with painted designs. These sessions continued to foster creativity, social connection and sustainable craft practices within our communities.
Social Seniors Whitsundays
The Senior Social Isolation Program concluded 2025 with celebratory Coffee & Chat sessions in Proserpine, Bowen, and Cannonvale. Participants completed evaluation forms, with feedback overwhelmingly positive. Many shared that they value the welcoming and informal atmosphere, and two new residents noted that the sessions had played an important role in helping them feel connected within the community.
In December, seniors from the Whitsunday Leisure and Activity Centre (WLAC), accompanied by Social Worker Jeudi, presented the library service with a handmade Social Seniors banner. Created as part of WLAC’s “Connecting Community Through Art” initiative, the banner features two characters, Melvyn and Mavis, and represents partnership, creativity and community spirit. The banner will rotate across branches during Coffee & Chat sessions before being permanently displayed.
The program has commenced 2026 strongly. Bowen Coffee & Chat welcomed fifteen attendees in January, including six BlueCare clients. Footprints Mackay staff attended and will continue to provide monthly morning tea and transport support for a socially isolated client through to June.
Proserpine recorded nineteen attendees, including four new participants, demonstrating continued growth and reach.
In Bowen, participant-led programming is emerging. A regular attendee has volunteered to facilitate a memory-sharing discussion on World War II Catalinas in February, reflecting growing confidence, ownership and peer leadership within the group.
Our Library, Our Space – Youth Engagement
The Proserpine Youth Program trial has officially launched, offering weekly sessions including book clubs, study support, creative activities and games. Early engagement has been encouraging, and attendance continues to build steadily.
The Youth Library Survey is now open, inviting young people to help shape future programming and spaces. Feedback will directly inform the Our Library, Our Space youth engagement strategy across all branches.
Proserpine Writer’s Circle
The Proserpine Writer’s Circle has resumed for the year with strong interest and several new participants. The group continues to provide a supportive and collaborative space for local writers to share their work, test ideas and build confidence.
RFID in the Whitsundays The RFID implementation project continues to progress across all branches, with full installation scheduled for completion by the end of March. Once complete, RFID will improve accessibility, streamline borrowing and returns, and allow staff to spend more time supporting customers and delivering programs.
Woorabinda IKC
Music Bootcamps
The IKC and WASC has been instrumental in securing the services of Topology Music (Topology) to initiate the first of many bootcamps towards our 100-year commemoration of the establishment of Woorabinda. We hope to create community bands, choirs and solo artists of various genres who will showcase their talents throughout 2026/27.
Attendees will learn about instrumentation, voice and reading music.
[Flyers attached].
Back to School Stationery Packs
The Port Curtis Coral Coast Trust: PCCC | Native Title | Future Act | Cultural Heritage attended on Thursday 22nd January to hand out 100 back-to-school stationery backpacks for local children in collaboration with the IKC and WASC.
Deadly Inclusion Training
We also have our SLQ & IKC Deadly Inclusion Training free to community members.
Proposed Upcoming Workshops
- 17/02 – Family History
- 18/02 – Pocket Cinema
- 19/02 – Garage Band
- 14/04 – Podcasting
- 15/04 – Live Streaming
- 16/04 – 360 Storytelling
To attend these workshops people will need to register via the Digital & You app: Digital and You – Apps on Google Play
