CELEBRATORY REFLECTION: Mentone Public Library 96th Birthday Literary Gathering

Celebration Review:

96^thBirthday

Literary Gathering

AND WHAT A PARTY IT WAS!

REVIEW PART ONE

Nathaniel Davies

https://www.facebook.com/daviesnathanielj

Nathaniel Reflects

as a Presenting Writer...

As one of 12 writers performing their own work

for the library’s 96^th birthday celebration,

and an unpublished one at that,

I was excited to be at the event

with so many great authors.

During the opening of the event,

local councillor

Cr Chris Hill

of Kingston's Como Ward

provided examples of famous writers

from last century who published works

in the founding year of the

Mentone Public Library (1925).

They were some of the biggest names

in 1925 literature.

For me this added to the excitement

of the 96^th birthday gathering.

It seemed special

to think of past library users

reading first editions of these authors’

popular works during

the library’s early years.

I was also star struck

by the large number

of fantastic authors

that were congregating

to participate or listen

in the one place at the

Mentone Activity Hub.

Like F. Scott Fitzgerald,

Ernest Hemingway, James Joyce

and Virginia Woolf,

the writers sharing at our event

had published works

that were being read by

users of this library.

My excitement at the opportunity

to share some of my own work

was making me nervous,

yet when it was my turn

to take the microphone,

I was able to deliver my three poems

fairly well,

with only a few accidental alterations

from the page in one case.

I had several encouraging comments

following the event

from authors in the audience,

including one who suggested I try

and have one of the poems published.

This was a great encouragement.

It was also fantastic to hear

so many other authors

share their work.

In almost one hundred years

the library has become

an important hub

for writers and friends

of literature.

On the day,

George Ivanoff said

(I paraphrase)

that the library had been

‘so supportive’ to him over the years

and like an ‘unofficial writers' centre’.

After being introduced fabulously

following a flamboyant

happy birthday song and speech by

a Ms “Marilyn Monorail”...

We heard library president

Graeme Johnstone

talk of ideas of how best

to take the library towards its centenary.

He spoke of concentrating

the library’s focus and collection

exclusively towards

promoting and supporting

local authors.

The existing author talks

and writing group initiatives

are the catalyst for this vision.

We wait expectantly to hear

if other programs will be

coming along in the future.

Graeme stated

that the library

is open

to suggestions.

Volunteers anyone?

REVIEW PART TWO

Philippa Davies

Philippa Reflects

as a

Facilitator & Audience Member

Maggie Morrison

leads the birthday congregation in song

with customised, original lyrics of her own devising.

Happy 96^th birthday

Mentone Public Library!

What an achievement.

It was unfortunate

that Covid got in the way of

celebrating the library’s

95^th birthday last year,

but we didn’t let that happen

for its 96^th birthday this year.

While following all Covid-safe regulations

at an alternative venue

Kingston City Council

kindly offered to us for our events...

we had a delightful celebration

full of happiness with some of the

library’s favourite local authors and guests

from over the past 10 years;

some of whom we hadn’t seen for a while.

I was lucky to not only be

an audience member for this unique event,

but also a volunteer.

I had the privilege of personally meeting

each of the valued authors

as they came through the door

at the beginning.

All of them were familiar to me

as I have been to most of the author talks,

but some I had never met face-to-face.

The chairs in the room

were set up in a circle,

which made us all feel

connected to each other and

part of a cohesive group.

There were several authors and guests

who delighted us with their written pieces.

They were all different -

some had written prose, others poetry,

some pieces were brand new, others a bit older

- but regardless of the content matter,

all were equally captivating.

It made me happy to see

everybody in the group enjoying themselves,

engaging with the authors

and supporting each other.

One thing Julia said to me that day

was along the lines of

“Everybody in this group just wants

to see everybody else succeed

at their passion”,

and this was certainly on display.

We topped off the event with

an all-in singing of

‘Happy Birthday,

under the guidance of character

Marilyn Monorail.

It was truly a wonderful event

and a fitting way to celebrate

such an impressive milestone.

Honorable Mentions...

Thank-you to Cherry Tran

for her impromptu filming

of proceedings.

Thank-you to both

Cherry

Justine Gorny

for putting the finishing touches

to our decorations

with your impressive

ribbon-wrapping skills

for our birthday book gifts

on offer to attendees.

And...

Thank-you to you:

the

wonderful

Local Authors & Writers

who took part & gifted

Mentone Public Library

with your original literary gems...

COLSON, Geri	JOHNSTONE, Graeme	SHINE, Denise Tobin
Geri Presented: Poetic License Trilogy"	Graeme Presented: "The President Presents..."	Denise Presented: "Outback Rescue" : From Sandy Beach Centre Writing Class Anthology of Short Stories and Poems - 2012"
DAVIES, Nathaniel	McGURGAN, Lesley	STROMENGER, Michael
Nathaniel Presented: "The Hunt" ; "It is Difficult to See with Your Eyes Closed" ; "Ice Coffee Love"	Lesley Presented: "Forward Toward 2025"	Michael Presented: "Mentone Public Library: A Unique Rhythm"
IVANOFF, George	MORRISON, Maggie	Dr THREADGOLD OAM, Cheryl
George Presented: "The Last Monk"	Maggie Presented: "The Role of Books"	Cheryl Presented: "Positive Nature of 'In the Name of Theatre' "
JOHNSTONE, Elsie	NEIL, Mairi	VUJOVICH, Natalie
Elsie Presented: "This Bloody Virus" ; "ANZAC Day in Lockdown" ; "Time to End this Isolation" ; "Groundhog Day"... From latest poetry anthology: "CATHOLIC GIRL" - To be showcased with Mentone Public Library 11am, Saturday, 21 August 2021	Mairi Presented: "Poetic Ponderings"	Natalie Presented: "My Poetic Story"