Excellent response to the 2016 Young Writers’ Competition with 162 entries and a very difficult task for the judges, as so many of them were very good indeed.

THE WINNERS ARE;

UP TO 8 YEARS:

FIRST:  Charlotte Crowhurst of Kapunda

SECOND:  Mason Burns of Mount Pleasant

THIRD:  Logan Kratzer of Mount Pleasant

9-12 YEARS:

FIRST:  Annabelle MacClelland of Tanunda

SECOND:  Tate Manning of Tanunda

THIRD:  Viene Gladigau of Tanunda

13-15 YEARS:

FIRST:  Ben Pain of Cockatoo Valley

SECOND:  Mitchell Doecke of Truro

THIRD:  Ebony Wilton of Lyndoch

16-20 YEARS:

FIRST:  Samuel Doering of Truro

SECOND:  Scott Bruno of Lyndoch

THIRD:  Sarah Bradshaw of Kersbrook

HONOURABLE MENTION:  Brock Heinze of Tanunda

SPECIAL PRIZE FOR POETRY:

Harriette Rudiger of Moculta

SCHOOL PARTICIPATION AWARD:

Mount Pleasant Primary School

All the entrants have been given a “Certificate of Participation” and the entries are available for perusal in the Nuriootpa Library.

You’re invited!  Victoria Purman has written a new book “The Three Miss Allens” and you can meet and hear the author discuss the book and other aspects of her eventful life on Thursday 27th October at Lindsay Wine Estate at the corner of Barossa Valley Way and Vine Vale Road.  6.30 for 7 pm; cost of $5 includes a glass of wine and supper.  Bookings essential on 8563 8440.

Congratulations to Alice Shore of Springton who was the winner of the Kangaroo Island Raffle drawn last week.  Alice wins a ferry trip for 2 to beautiful Kangaroo Island, accommodation, entry to a number of attractions and some meals.  A great prize!  Many thanks to all who supported the library by buying tickets and thanks to Sealink for the most generous donation of the prize.

Our mid-year fundraiser, a “Winter in July” Raffle, is now on sale.  The prize is an excellent hampers of all kinds of goodies (including a Lions Christmas cake!) and featuring an exquisite quilt, handmade by Helen de Garis,

Tickets are just $2 each or 3 for $5 at any library branch.  Drawn end of July and winner notified by telephone.  All proceeds to library improvements.

The Friends of the Barossa Library has launched the 2016 Young Writers’ Competition with some great prizes donated by the Co-Op and Vinpac.  There are four age divisions:  0 to 8 years (up to 200 words), 9-12 years (up to 500 words), 13-15 years (up to 700 words), and 16 to 20 years (up to 1,000 words).  Entry forms and details available from any Barossa School or any branch of the Barossa Library.  Entries close on September 16th (end of 3rd term).

Book soon – tickets selling fast

The  Barossa Public Library is hosting bestselling writer and journalist Peter FitzSimons on Wednesday 18 November to launch his new book Fromelles & Pozieres: in the trenches of hell.

He is the author of over twenty-seven books, including Tobruk, Kokoda, Gallipoli, Batavia, Eureka, Ned Kelly and biographies of Douglas Mawson, Nancy Wake‚ Steve Waugh.

Please pass on the invitation to your members and  friends and book early to reserve your place.

We look forward to  seeing you there.

Event: Peter FitzSimons

Date:  Wednesday 18 November, 11.30 am – 2.00 pm

Venue: The Clubhouse, Tanunda   45 MacDonnell Street, Tanunda,

Cost:  $25 including lunch, tea & coffee

Bookings essential:   Nuriootpa Library on 8563 8440  or at any Angaston, Tanunda, Mt Pleasant or Lyndoch libraries

On 20th August we held a very successful Annual General Meeting, where members heard reports from the President and Treasurer and the Library Services Manager on our work during the past year.  Congratulations to the new Committee:  President Bill Biscoe, Vice-President Jill Stevens, Treasurer and Membership Secretary Claire Hein, Committee James Porter, Margaret Seager, Kevin Platt, Christine Malone, Jennifer Kerr, Paddy Carter, Kirsten Harvey and Michele Hoffman.

No volunteers for Secretary at this stage, so Bill Biscoe will be doing the minutes at this stage.

Great guest speaker Bruce Munday – his book “Those Dry Stone Walls” is a fascinating account of the stone walls found throughout South Australia and particularly the Barossa.  Bruce is an excellent speaker and is generous with giving his time to community organisations such as the Friends of the Barossa Library.

It’s that time of the year again – Annual General Meeting of the Friends of the Barossa Library will be at the Nuriootpa Council Chambers on Thursday 20th August at 5.30 pm.  All positions are open for nomination – we are particularly looking for a Secretary.

Treasurer and Membership Secretary Paddy Carter is retiring from executive positions after 19 years, although she will be staying on the Committee to as a non-executive member.  The AGM will be a chance to farewell her.

After the meeting Bruce Munday, author of that excellent book about the Barossa, “Those Dry Stone Walls”, will be Guest Speaker.  Afterwards all invited to a light supper and a glass of wine.

The great Tanunda Book Sale is on again, starting 10 am ion Thursday 9th July at the CWA Hall (now the Bike Hub), till 4 pm, then on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th.  Huge range of books paperbacks $1, hardbacks $2, children’s books from 50 cents, BARGAIN fill your shopping bag for $8 or a library bag for $9.  Rotary Club will have a sausage sizzle from 11 am to 2 pm on Saturday.  All proceeds to the library services.

Have you booked yet for the Friends of the Library Quiz Night?  Who is the smartest in the Barossa?  Find out on Saturday 20th June at 7 pm when  it is “eyes down” for teams of up to 10 people to battle out the quiz of quizzes,   Each library branch is forming a team so if you have not got a team together join your local library team.  $10 per head, bring your own snacks, great wines available to buy by the glass.  Thanks to Seppeltsfield Wines who have made their beautiful Dining Hall available for the evening.  To book ring 8563 8440 or call in to your library branch.