FOBL NEWS
Date posted: 13/12/2011
FOBL publishes our young writers in a book available to purchase
We are proud to announce that stories from the finalists in our Writing Competitions of 2010 and 2011 have been published. A specially designed book is now available which showcases the imaginative writing of our young entrants.
This book is available for the special price of $10.00 per copy and may be purchased from the Hill of Content Bookshop, Darling Street, Balmain or the Balmain Library.
If you are unable to purchase the book from the above venues FOBL can deliver to addresses on the Balmain peninsula. Please mail your payment of $10.00 per book to our address with your name and address for delivery (please note we cannot deliver to P.O boxes). If you live outside the peninsula and/or require a book to be posted please add $5.00 to your order for postage i.e. each posted book will be $15.00.
The author Monica McInerney was recently quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald, October 22, 2011, on what happened with a story she had written as an eight year old. "I showed it to the school librarian and she did an extraordinary thing: she covered it, catalogued it and put it on the shelf. That triggered my wish to become a writer, and proves the smallest bit of encouragement can fill your spirit".
FOBL has the greatest respect for the work of these young writers and hopes that publishing their work will provide encouragement for the future.
Date posted: 29/09/2011
2011 Writing Competition for Balmain Primary Schools
FOBL hosted an awards ceremony on August 26 2011 to celebrate the achievements of this year's competition entrants. This year, students were invited to enter in one of two categories - one for a short story and the other for a poster design to advertise the library. The number of entries was considerably increased from 2010 (our inaugural competition) and there was more school participation. We were fortunate once again to have the sponsorship of the Balmain/Rozelle Community Bank with a $3,500 community grant.
The winners for the short story category were Zinnia Robinson, year 5 (Birchgrove Public School) and Liam Cantwell, year 6 (Balmain Public School). The winners in the poster section were Christopher Halili, year 6 (Father John Therry School) and Pimyalak Kiatipanich, year 5 (Rozelle Public School).
All winners received a $100.00 bank account at the Balmain/Rozelle Community Bank and a $100.00 book voucher for the Hill of Content bookshop. There were 14 highly commended students who each received a $50.00 book voucher for the Hill of Content bookshop. All shortlisted entrants were invited to participate in a writing workshop conducted by local author, Maggie Hamilton. Participating schools received book vouchers for $250.00 each for the Hill of Content bookshop.
The awards ceremony was very well attended with the Mayor of Leichhardt, Rochelle Porteous, participating along with representatives of the Balmain/Rozelle Community Bank and the competition judges.
Liam and Zinnia's stories are below, and we plan to publish all the stories in a booklet. The posters will be displayed in the Balmain Library in October 2011.
Read the 2011 Year 5 winning entry by Zinnia Robinson
Read the 2011 Year 6 winning entry by Liam Cantwell
Date posted: 25/08/2011
Mayor of Leichhardt thanks FOBL Committee
The Mayor of Leichhardt Rochelle Porteous hosted a light lunch to acknowledge and thank the FOBL Committee for its contribution to the Balmain Community. The Mayor warmly praised the efforts of all FOBL Members in supporting Balmain Library through FOBL's Book Boost initiative purchasing $18,000 worth of new books for the library, as well as the sponsorship of the competition for students of the Glass Department at Sydney College of the Arts resulting in windows in the new children's library. Ms Porteous expressed Leichhardt Council's appreciation for FOBL and would take every opportunity to promote its work.
Date posted: 05/06/2011
April 2011 FOBL buys more books for Balmain Library
Following FOBL's successful Book Boost in November 2009 we held a second one in April 2011. Unlike the 2009 Book Boost, this year's event focused exclusively on expanding the adult, young adult and children's fiction collections as specifically requested by the Library Manager. Over two days residents chose $8,700 worth of books from a huge stock provided by Hill of Content bookshop at a substantial discount. These have now been added to the library's collection. FOBL's label is inside the front cover - an acknowledgement of the community's involvement in this donation
Date posted: 04/10/2010
FOBL'S Inaugural Children's Writing Competition
The winners of FOBL'S inaugural writing competition were announced at the Awards Night held on Friday 6th August. The competition was open to all year 5 and 6 students in schools on the peninsular and was funded by a grant of $2500 from The Balmain /Rozelle Community Branch of Bendigo Bank. There were over 80 entrants. The winners were Imogen Biggins (Year 5) and Finlay Mackenzie (Year 6), with 8 runners up in each year. See September Bookworm for more details, and to read Imogen and Finlay's stories. We plan to hold the competition annually.
Read the 2010 Year 5 winning entry by Imogen Biggins
Read the 2010 Year 6 winning entry by Finlay Mackenzie
Date posted: 21/07/2010
Extended library opening hours
Balmain Library is now open on Sundays from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm
Date posted: 05/07/2010
November 2009 - FOBL buys books for Balmain Library
FOBL has raised a substantial sum of money so to celebrate the recent refurbishment and expansion of Balmain Library we held a Book Boost. Over two days residents chose $10,000 worth of books from a huge stock provided by Hill of Content bookshop at a substantial discount. These have now been added to the library's collection. FOBL's label is inside the front cover - an acknowledgement of the community's involvement in this donation.
Date posted: 05/07/2010
Bookworm Magazine
Bookworm, our member magazine, is published four times a year coinciding with a Speaker Event. March 2010, the 40th edition, saw renowned journalist and media personality David Marr on the cover. The issue also contained the last in a series of three articles by inaugural Chair Helen Colman recounting FOBL's history. Balmain Library staff have a regular segment on activities and forthcoming events with individual staff members interviewed for our In Profile page.
