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BOOK SALE BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS! OVER 40,000 OF THEM, TO BE PRECISE … WILL BE ON SALE AT PORT PANTHERS FROM MARCH 3RD – 5TH. THE ROTARY CLUB BOOK SALE IS AN ANNUAL EVENT, AND GEOFF WORKMAN, BOOK SALE MEDIA OFFICER FROM THE ROTARY CLUB OF PORT MACQUARIE, TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE SALE AND HOW FUNDS RAISED FROM EVENTS SUCH AS THESE BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY …
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ow many years has Rotary held a Book Sale in Port Macquarie? Our club first commenced the Rotary Book Sale in 1998 under the direction of past President Fred O'Toole. Fred remained a driving force of the book sale committee for the next 10 years, along with assistance of Max Starr and Laurie Barber. It has remained an annual event ever since. Initially book sorts were held in Fred O'Toole’s garage, then in loaned premises in the industrial area with the generous assistance of the owners and staff at Port Macquarie Removals and Storage, before moving to the Rotary Community Centre, when it opened in mid 2010. When, where and what time will the Rotary Book Sale be held this year? For the first two years, the book sale was held in Port High School's auditorium, but since then has been held in the Port Panthers auditorium. Panthers generously donates the use of the auditorium free of charge for four days to allow for set up + three days of book sales. It's hard to put an estimate of books on offer, but based on boxes and average books per box, we estimate that we'll have over 40,000 books for sale. This year the book sale will be held on Friday 3rd March (9am to 6pm); Saturday 4th March (9am to 6pm); and Sunday 5th March (9am to 1pm). Based on previous years' experience, what types of books will you be expecting to have on hand at this year's sale?
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The large majority of the books on sale Clubhouse, Hastings Early Intervention are "fiction" (both hard and soft cover). Centre, Hastings Education Fund, Commencing last year, these books are now Hastings Home Hospice, Hastings Mental displayed in the author’s surname alphabetical Health, Hastings Secondary College, Lifeline Mid order. Coast, Port Macquarie Rotary Lodge, Riding for We utilise almost 100 tables to display the the Disabled, and Sailability. books - 40% are used for "fiction" books. The Rotary Club of Port Macquarie was the Then, there are separate tables to display first Rotary Club in Port Macquarie and was the large number of picture books chartered on 22nd May 1948 by the for gardening, cooking and Rotary Club of Taree. Australiana, plus five tables There are currently five for children's books. Other Rotary Clubs serving the It’s hard to put an categories that are Port Macquarie-Hastings s estimate of book popular with readers communities, including d on offer, but base age include non-fiction: Port Macquarie; Port er on boxes and av health, fitness and Macquarie West; Port e book s per box, w have lifestyle; travel and Macquarie Sunrise; ll e’ w estimate that tourism; as well as Laurieton; and r fo s ok bo 0 over 40,00 history and geography. Wauchope. sale .” We always have a large Since then, all Rotary round table with lots of LP Clubs have been involved records, as well as CDs and in some major fundraisers and DVDs. public works. How will Rotary use funds raised Recent works include: Flagstaff Hill from the Book Sale to assist the and Lookout, renovated by the Rotary Club community? of Port Macquarie in 1994-95. The book sale is our major fundraiser each Rotary Lodge in the grounds of Port Macquarie year. Last year, our net takings (after expenses) Base Hospital (1994-95) which was constructed were $15,000 - the majority of this sum was by the then six local Rotary Clubs. donated back to the local community. We The Rotary Community Centre, Hastings River achieved our highest sum in 2011, when we Drive (2009 -10) - the Rotary Community Centre raised just short of $18,500. was opened for use in July 2010. Its construction In 2015/16, the club donated funds to the and operation is under the management of an following local community organisations: incorporated body, with representatives from the Endeavour Mental Health Recovery three Port Macquarie Clubs.
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The "Rotary Park" Project, Corner of William and Stewart Streets (2010-13) - the Rotary Park was first established in 1957 as a Club Project along with the Observatory (1961). In 2008 our Rotary Club, along with Port West and Port Sunrise Rotary Clubs, approached the Council to rejuvenate the park. Council agreed, as it formed part of the Foreshore Master Plan. Over the past three years and in association with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, there has been major refurbish to the existing garden, provision of three additional shelters + a BBQ facility, walking paths provided, along with a pergola, a new “sun protected” children’s playground, bottle bubbler, additional seating; as well as a pedestrian median across William Street. These are just a few of the projects our local Rotary Clubs have been involved with. There are many more. Where can readers find out more info - and are you also looking for donations of books? Interested readers can check out the club's website: www.rotaryclubportmacquarie.com.au or contact me (Geoff Workman, the Club's book sale media officer) on 0407 016 397. Yes, we're always on the lookout for pre-loved books in good condition. Thanks Geoff. Pic (left): Doug Heagney, Sue Gaukroger, Graham & Val Wiggins. Pic (right): Phil Perry (Book Sale Coordinator) Lorraine Chambers (former club member) and Geoff Workman (Book Sale Media Officer).