Recalling Book Fairs 2000-2007

Recalling the first eight book fairs brings back mixed memories.  Firstly the anxieties about securing authors and artists, topics, venues, sponsors, helpers, advertising, putting the program together, selling tickets, organising refreshments and then hoping everything would come together on the weekend.  Would it be fine, would people buy books, would the speakers' entertain, would there be a 'buzz' in the town?  Secondly the delight in listening to storyteller Geoff Jones spellbind a group of four year olds, Arnold Zable urging the audience to be more 'politically' active, the ringing laughter of Mirka Mora as she stepped form her horse drawn cab like a queen, the indomitable Barry Jones' 'brief' after-dinner speech, the late Stan Evans enthralling an audience with tales of the daring exploits of early fishermen, the entertaining tales from Ros Reine's Sydney newspaper gossip column, Phil McNamara's road poetry complete with home made musical instruments, Rod Barton's breathtaking search for Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq and Lynne Strahan's delightful reading of her exquisite poems.  Whether deliberately planned or not, each Book Fair offered variety, challenge, comfort and camaraderie for people who like writing, reading and the forging of friendships.

No Fair was ever the same two years in a row.  True, the Barbara Cartland Hurl was a regular feature as were the second-hand book sales but each guest visitor brought his or her own special appeal.  Matching local buddies with visiting authors, getting an autograph from a 'famous' author at the next table having coffee, watching the puzzled looks on children's faces as Wordsworth the wise owl handed out bookmarks, the local band piping the people in as they entered the arena for book sales, the school students' debate on literary themes complete with dramatic action.  All these different events provided the spice and colour of each Fair.

And after everyone had gone home?  All the cleaning and packing up, the banking of the money and balancing of budgets, and the big decision.  Will there be another one next year?

Roger Borrell
Ex Libris Chairperson 
2005, 2006, 2007

March 2008