“THE STAR”, Tuesday, July 30, 2013 - PAGE 31
A day out in...
I G G A H WONT Great move: work is underway on the new Wonthaggi Library in the old Target building. Darren Brown of db design (right) discusses plans with Bass Coast Shire Council’s Jenny Churchill, West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation facilities officer Tanya Brereton, Nola Thorpe, Jacqui Paulson and librarian Colin Waring. Ms Thorpe and Ms Paulson lobbied council for the facility.
New library on the way By Jane Ross JENNY Churchill is thrilled she can now walk down the street in Wonthaggi without having to duck for cover when she spots Nola Thorpe. The Bass Coast Shire Council arts and leisure manager laughed as she said that in Ms Thorpe’s presence on Wednesday. They were part of a small group touring the new Wonthaggi Library which, when it is finished, will be more than three times the size of the current
one, housed in the old post office. Even that is a far cry from the days when Ms Churchill was doing her HSC. “The library was in the comfort station!” she declared. Council is spending $100,000 of its own money and $300,000 of the State Government’s refurbishing the old Target site in Murray Street. Come November, it will house the Wonthaggi Library. Later, it may include a small coffee shop and there are plans to house the local genealogy group. Ms Thorpe, president of the former OWLS group and Jacqui Paulson of Wonthaggi, were instrumental in lobby-
ing long and hard for the new library. The old one has historic atmosphere but not much else because it’s tiny. Ms Paulson has five children aged seven to 25. They all use the library and she said they’re ecstatic at the thought of the new one. Ms Thorpe, a former Newhaven College librarian with a steely determination, headed OWLS which was formed with the express purpose of ensuring a new library came about. Mission accomplished, the group has disbanded but librarian Colin Waring is hoping the new facility might prompt the formation of a regular friends’ group.
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Red hot station
Darren Brown of db design Wonthaggi took part in the tour too. He said the toilets at the rear of the building would be revamped, with facilities for the disabled added. The old Target fitting rooms will go and there will be plenty of space for computers and the library’s collection. Mr Waring said both will increase. He expects programs such as Baby Rhyme Time will also expand. There will be double the number of computers (eight) with room for more, free Wi-Fi and more items in the collection. Mr Waring said the shelving would
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New chief
be user friendly and everything will be on wheels for easy movement. Mr Brown is impressed with the amount of natural light that will flow in through large windows and he is pleased to be part of the project. “The community benefit will be great.” Council has begun advertising tenders to fit the library out and Ms Churchill has her fingers crossed there will be enough money for new carpet. The move will take about two weeks and once it’s accomplished, councillors will decide what to do with the old library building.
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Amazing arts
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