Don't Overdue It

From giggles to guffaws, and chuckles to cackles, to snorts and chortles, on Tuesdays at the Mount Gambier Library we like to LAUGH. Laughter in the Library is a Laughter Yoga program that combines fun exercises and yoga breathing techniques that stimulate your happy hormones, release stress and have positive effects on the mind and body. There are no crazy upside-down poses, no stand-up comedy ro...

Join us on an insightful journey as we delve into the profound influence of the Words Grow Minds Program. This initiative aims at fostering early childhood development and literacy through talking, reading, playing, and singing with your child from birth. In this episode, we discuss the role the Mount Gambier Library has played in the program and uncover the transformative power of language and li...

His is the face that adorns the side of the theatre named in his honour, but locals and tourists alike still ask the question “Who is Sir Robert Helpmann?” Mount Gambier born, Robert Murray Helpmann, found fame on the world stage with his prodigious talents as an actor, director, dancer and singer. April 2024 marks the 40th Anniversary of official naming of the theatre- so join us for look at the...

With time comes change. One of the biggest changes over recent times is how we work. There are many factors which have contributed to the changes to our work day including the advancement in technology. For this episode we are joined by Mount Gambier locals who share the memories and stories of how a hard day’s work looked in years gone by.

In June of 1871, Mount Gambier Assistant Bailiff Thomas Garroway mysteriously disappeared when he was sent to seize the property of Carl Jung who had failed to pay a debt. What followed was a story of desperation and murder which ended with the very first execution to occur at the Mount Gambier Gaol.

We have all heard of the phrase “Its’ raining cats and dogs” but what about it raining rabbits? Well, on New Year’s Eve 1938 right here in middle of Mount Gambier in kind of did just that. Join us for the story of Laurence Bulling, a local rabbit buyer, who with 20kg of gelignite and one heck of a grudge against his former employer, caused quite the explosive end to the year.

For those with a long history with Mount Gambier, shops and stores such as Fidler and Webb, Hustler’s and Moran and Cato are almost as iconic as the Blue Lake/Warwar itself. For this episode we are joined by long term residents of Mount Gambier as they share their stories and memories of these shops and learn how different the shopping experience was in times gone by.

Fame and infamy closely followed composer, traveling salesman and disabled war veteran Freddie Woodrow during most of his adult life. Following his success with an album of war songs during the 1940’s, Woodrow arrived in Mount Gambier in 1951, with a song he dedicated to the Blue Lake city. A song that would raise $25,000 for the local community. But that’s not half the story. Throw in an meeting...

Mount Gambier local Greg Buck had a desire to create content and release it on his very own YouTube channel. The only thing stopping him was the knowledge and skills to create, edit and release his videos. For this episode we chat with Greg to hear about his journey as a computer novice to YouTube creator releasing regular content on his channel ‘Dirty Socks.’ We talk about his journey, his conten...

Local medical doctor, researcher, TEDx speaker, and advocate for rural health and pathology, Dr Harry Gaffney can now add children’s author to his to his impressive CV. Dr Harry joins us for a special Storytime featuring his debut book “Tiny Adventures Inside Me: a Journey into Microbiology” and sticks around to chat about the transition from doctor to author and how he is making microbiology fun.

Bestselling Australian author Fiona Lowe can certainly tell a story. Whether it’s a tale from her life living across Papua New Guinea, the USA and Canada, her former career as a midwife, or the sweeping sagas from her impressive list of popular novels. In this episode of the Writers on the Road series, we are joined by Fiona and her collection of fascinating, funny and surprising tales from her ex...

If you have ever visited the Mount Gambier Library on a Wednesday afternoon you may have had the pleasure of hearing the sounds of fun and laughter echoing throughout the library. The chances are that this joy is coming from the Headspace LINK Group. For several years this group of 18 – 25 year old’s have made regular visits to the Mount Gambier Library and Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre for a w...

Moments before stepping onstage here at the Mount Gambier Library to launch her latest novel The Women’s’ Pages, internationally best selling Australian author and crowd favourite Victoria Purman joins us for the third instalment of the "Writers on the Road" series. Victoria, with her trademark warmth and humour, shares with us her fascinating research and writing processes, her inspirat...

In April of 1965, then Mount Gambier resident John Butler told his story to The Border Watch of not only surviving the sinking of the Titanic but his role of quartermaster and being put in charge of Lifeboat 7. However over time experts have questioned his story as much of his tale does not match up with official records or known events of the disaster. Join us for this episode as we explore Mr. B...

Join us for our second episode of our Writers on the Road series as we chat to Tricia Stringer just moments before her recent book launch at the Mount Gambier Library to promote her title ‘Keeping Up Appearances’. We chat about Tricia’s journey to bestselling and award-winning author and find out being a successful author is much more than just writing books.

On Wednesday February 16th 1983, much of southern Australia faced the deadliest bushfires in Australia’s history.  More than 180 fires swept across South Australia and Victoria destroying 2,000 homes and claiming the lives of 75 people.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Ash Wednesday Bushfires, a day that remains imprinted in the memories who were witness to the ferocity and d...

They say time changes everything and this is accurate when we think of the Leg of Mutton Lake (Yatton Loo). Over the years this site has changed from a water filled lake to beautiful park lands several times over. One thing has remained constant, no matter what the water level this site has remained a place of great beauty. Join us this episode as we hear some of the stories and memories of how th...

Working in the criminal justice system gives debut Australian author Mercedes Mercier a unique insight into the world of prisons, crime and offenders.  The first in our Writers on The Road series, we caught up with Mercedes before her recent book launch at the Mount Gambier Library, where we discusses reading, writing and life on the publicity circuit. 

Managed by the Mount Gambier Lakes Rotary Club, The Library Markets transform the Cave Garden/Thugi into a bustling community festival on the 2nd Sunday of the month between November and February each year. Featuring local art and craft, produce, food, and entertainment, the December Christmas market is the biggest and most popular of all, attracting upwards of 80 stalls and thousands of patrons....

2022 marks the 63rd year of the Mount Gambier Christmas Parade, with the floats and spectators returning to Commercial Street for the first time since the pandemic began.  This beloved community event attracts spectators by the thousands, and celebrates not only Christmas, but togetherness and community spirit.   But what does it take to coordinate Mount Gambier’s largest community event...

We are going to take a step back in time to a cold Mount Gambier winter in 1875. This tale not only ends in the brutal murder of a popular young woman but also one of three executions ever to take place at the Mount Gambier Gaol. Keywords: Mount Gambier, South Australia, Limestone Coast, Local Government, Community, Lake Terrace Cemetery, Local History, Mystery, Murder, True Crime, Mount Gambier G...

In 2019 the Mount Gambier Library sat down with a number of older Mount Gambier residents to recorded their memories as part of the Immersive Storytelling Project. One of the very popular topics of conversation was when The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh came to Mount Gambier as apart of their Australia Tour in February 1954. To mark the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, we present this mini...

For over 13 years the Friends of the Library Mount Gambier (FOL) have been champions in their role of supporting and promoting our Library services, and engaging with the wider community through sponsorship and funding initiatives.  In this episode we speak to FOL President Chris Lloyd, and long-time volunteer John Cranwell who discuss the groups activities, achievements and how to turn 10,00...

Season 2 Episode 8   For more than a decade the School Holiday Program at the Mount Gambier LIbrary has been a staple on our events calendar, providing entertainment and education to our younger community members. This month we catch up with the Children and Youth Services team to discover the fun, mess and madness that is the school holidays library-style.

Bestselling Australian author Maya Linnell is a former country journalist and radio host turned rural fiction author and has recently joined us at the Mount Gambier Library to launch her fourth novel Paperbark Hill.  Maya also loves Libraries, so we have pulled her aside to find out when the love affair begun, the role libraries have played in her life and her new podcast partnership with the...