General News
25 July, 2024
From cricket pitch to library stacks
Council has announced Hindmarsh Libraries will be one of the small-town library services who will receive funding through a grant program administered by The LBW Trust (Learning for a Better World), and Friends of Libraries Australia (FOLA).
The Australian Country Libraries 2024 Program has distributed $101,429 to 79 libraries across the country - 25 in New South Wales, 20 in Western Australia, 17 in South Australia, nine in Victoria, and eight in Queensland - to support a diverse range of projects.
Hindmarsh Shire Council chief executive Monica Revell said libraries in remote areas serve as essential community hubs where people can gather, learn and connect.
"We are very grateful to receive this funding from The LBW Trust and Friends of Libraries Australia,” Ms Revell said.
“The funding will make a significant difference to our community.”
The funding will be used to purchase several items for sensory play and engagement in the Hindmarsh Library spaces, in conjunction with Supported Playgroup sessions and story time.
FOLA president Jack Goodman emphasised the importance of country libraries in regional, rural and remote towns.
“They are at the heart of the community, providing havens where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to share ideas, learn new skills and connect with each other,” Mr Goodman said.
“These grants are another example of the exceptional projects being run by Australia’s under-funded and under-valued country public libraries.”
Other projects across the country which will benefit from the Australian Country Libraries 2024 Program funding include running back to nature programs, storytelling through puppetry, providing resources and activities for neurodivergent young people, textile waste awareness workshops, digital literacy programs for seniors, and a community seed library for the bushfire-affected Snowy Monaro area.
The LBW Trust director, and National Backyard Cricket chair, Marek Ristwej said they are “looking forward to seeing the projects come to life, and the difference they will make in their community.”
“Cricket holds a special place in Australia,” Mr Ristwej said.
“It is wonderful to be able to combine our love of cricket with supporting country libraries.
“Funding has been made possible by the generous donations of individuals who participated in our National Backyard Cricket events, plus great support from The LBW Trust supporters.”
The LBW Trust believes that everyone deserves an education, and every student deserves an opportunity to realise their potential and to create their future.
The organisation hosts cricket-related fundraising campaigns and events, drawing on community generosity to provide opportunities in education for young people in developing countries.