"An Author for All Seasons: Series Eight: Grand Finale" - 11am, Saturday, 15 December 2018: Reflective Entry

Wow, what a mammoth year for our humble library home.

George Ivanoff was set to be our 

grand finale guest author for 2018.

But this year, George and his family were met with an ultimate test of strength, courage and resilience, preventing him from appearing and showcasing his latest works at Mentone Public Library.

Instead, George spent the festive season by his daughter's side as she underwent a major procedure, which we are pleased to announce was very successful.

 George's stoic daughter will undertake the not always easy, but assured road to recovery over 2019, which we hope George's daughter will share with us at the end of the year when George re-joins us for our ninth series of 

"An Author for All Seasons".

But though George could not be with us for our recent grand finale, his spirit remained as a number of George's Series Eight peers and Mentone Public Library patrons banded together to share stories of strength and resilience in tribute to George and his family.

We then compiled these contributions of prose and poetry into a book for George Ivanoff and his family 

as a Christmas present.

It was indeed, the spirit of Christmas in action at our library, and it is a session we will always remember with great fondness and draw upon during testing times.

We hope George and his family can find strength from these diverse contributions too during his daughter's road to recovery.

Women of true strength and resilience, Series Eight local authors:
Alison Knight, Sara Vidal and Terry Bahat.
Holding George Ivanoff's Australian Royal Flying Doctor Service Series
in camaraderie for their absent colleague.
Sara and Terry contributed stories of strength and resilience too for the Ivanoff family.

Avid attendees of "An Author for All Seasons", Nathaniel and Philippa, not only talked the talk and walked the walk on the topic of strength and resilience, they also dressed the part and presented powerful prose in solidarity of George Ivanoff and his family.

"You Never Know How Strong You Are Until Being Strong is the Only Choice You Have Left."

The Mentone Public Library team wish to take this opportunity to thank our talented, 

guest local authors and writers 

who populated our literary programs. 

We were astounded by the detail, effort and care you put into your engaging presentations.

We additionally thank our loyal and supportive patrons and friends for a memorable 2018.

We could not have had such a successful year rich in literary wisdom and professional quality 

without your support and generosity.

We extend a humble tribute to you below which was also performed at our grand finale on 

Saturday, 15 December 2018 

during our 

Author Appreciation Ceremony...

We are looking forward to an exciting 2019 at our library.

Here's a sneak peak of what's to come...

"An Author for All Seasons: Series Nine" - 2019

We are also hoping to bring you an 

"Emerging Writers of Kingston Showcase"

As you can see, there are a plethora of reasons to drop into our humble library home.

 We look forward to introducing you to more of your local authors and their literary legacies for the community.

Wishing you a wonderful New Year.

Library President Tony Brooker with Library volunteer Julia Reichstein
in alliance with George Ivanoff & family

Sincerely: The Mentone Public Library Team

Library volunteer Paul Karp serenades us with his original feel-good songs of hope:
"Beautiful" & "She Walks Happy Steps"