Book fair to better serve community
This year’s Yarragon Book Fair promises to be a real page-turner for book lovers everywhere.
The annual fundraiser at the Yarragon Public Hall on Saturday, July 8 and Sunday, July 9 helps Yarragon and Darnum-Ellinbank fire brigades purchase vital equipment and vehicles to better serve their communities.
Yarragon Fire Brigade secretary Geoff Conway said brigade volunteers have been working hard in recent months gathering and sorting a huge stockpile of books to suit every reader.
“We’re really gearing up now. Donations by local residents as well as charity groups from right across Eastern Victoria are helping to ensure amazing quality at a fraction of ‘new’ book prices,” said Mr Conway.
Paperbacks will be available for just $1, hard covers $2.50 and children’s books $5 for a bag or box.
“This is the 14th year of the Yarragon Book Fair and we’ve got a seriously good collection of fresh titles for this year stacking up in storage for our winter sale,” he said. “However, there’s always room for good quality books, particularly the ever-popular children’s books which sell like hotcakes, if people have extras they wish to contribute now.”
Mr Conway said all book donors and the regular crowds of visitors who support the book fair were greatly appreciated.
“This fundraiser has been a massive contributor to our brigades and the success of local volunteer firefighters in protecting life and properties across the region,” said Mr Conway. “Our CFA volunteer firefighters train and build their knowledge week-in, week-out to allow them to safely respond to bushfire, building structure fires and road rescue incidents. Brigade members and other locals also commit to fundraising activities to improve the equipment and support to firefighters. This includes communications equipment and training room gear, office refurbishments, uniform items and vehicles.”
During the past seven years, both brigades have run the Book Fair together and raised around $100,000. It has averaged about $18,000 in recent years, peaking at $22,000 in 2014.
“This year we are hoping to fund improvements in firefighting equipment and training aids,” added Mr Conway. “So, we are seeking support from people coming from far and wide to help make our 2017 Yarragon Book Fair the biggest and best ever.”
Doors open on Saturday, July 8 at 9am and the fair will run across the weekend until 4pm on Sunday, July 9.
For further information or to donate books to the CFA Yarragon Book Fair, call Michael O’Toole on 0438 342 670, Geoff Conway on 0418 318 900 or email yarragonfb@gmail.com