Don't Overdue It

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...

On the 25th of January 2022, Mount Gambier woke up to something we were not expecting. Our much loved Crater Lakes area was on fire. The fire was eventually brought under control with the hard work of 150 fire crew, but not before burning 50 hectares of grass and scrub.  In this episode we discuss the role of Council in an event such as this, the road forward to recovery, and uncover the history o...

Volunteering brings people together, builds communities and creates a better society for everyone. Commencing on Monday the 16th of May, National Volunteer Week gives us the chance to recognise the vital work of volunteers and show our appreciation. Join us for this episode of ‘Don’t Overdue It’ as we discuss the Mount Gambier Library Volunteer Program and catch up with some of our wonderful volun...

When Jane Byrne’s children set her a task in her retirement to create a cookbook from their grandmothers Rita's recipes, she had all the ingredients except one. The basic computer skills to create a book. With the help of weekly computer lessons at the Mount Gambier Library, Jane set to work, week after week to type the loose pages of faded hand written recipes, memories and photographs into a pre...

On the eve of Adelaide Writers’ Week, Library Book Club coordinator Susan Briffa has gathered together some of her favourite reading enthusiasts to chat about the books currently on their bedside tables.  We also spend time with to two local authors, Library staff member Jacqui Davies, and former radio broadcaster Stan Thompson and ask them about their own journeys from readers to published w...

Let’s make the most of the good weather and take a walk through the garden- but not just any garden- a State Heritage listed garden surrounding a sinkhole in the middle of Mount Gambier. This guided tour of the Thuggi/Cave Garden shares the social history of the area and tells the story of its landmarks- some that have been on display for more than 100 years, and some long forgotten.  Topics...

We all know that a library can loan out books and DVDs but how can your library get you out and enjoying the sun this summer? Join us as we discuss the City of Mount Gambier Bike Hire initiative and the beautiful cycling opportunities in our region for all ages and levels of fitness and experience. If cycling isn’t your cup of tea, listen in as we talk to Ryan Nicholson, a member of Mount Gambier...

This month we introduce you to Books In Homes, another of our very successful, long running library programs. Books In Homes is charitable organisation that creates partnerships between community members, the Library and selected local schools and kindergartens that provides kids with brand new books they can select and keep. Join us as we chat to some of the adults and kids involved in this wildl...

Book Well is a program created by bibliotherapist Dr Susan McLaine.  Using books, photographs and newspaper articles it invites people to reminisce about days gone by, promoting memories, discussion and general wellbeing. Here at the Mount Gambier Library our Book Well program includes residents from local aged care facilities and other community groups.  In this episode we talk to Libra...

It’s October and that means Halloween is just around the corner. When we think of Halloween many of us think of our favourite scary movies, scary costumes, trick or treating and other American customs and traditions. However, our region has its own share of UFO, ghost, monster and other supernatural stories. Join us for this episode as we discuss some of the spooky unexplained events in our local...

Join us this month for part 2 of ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’ as we continue exploring the significance of our caves and sinkholes. This episode we take a step back in time and discover how vastly different attitudes were towards or geographical features than what is the case today. We are then joined by Mandy Telfer, Senior Visitor Services Officer at the Mount Gambier Visitor Centre to...

Jumping on the Book Week 2021 theme ‘Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds’, this episode of Don’t Overdue It takes us to the ‘Other World’ right beneath our feet here in Mount Gambier as we explore the caves and sinkholes of the region.  The Mount Gambier region in the South East of South Australia is a mecca for cave diving enthusiasts of all levels of experience. From police training to the...

If you have ever visited the Mount Gambier Library on a Sunday morning, the joyful strums of a ukulele choir would be a very familiar soundtrack. Since its humble beginnings in 2019, the Mount Gambier Library has been home to the 'Lukuleles' an enthusiastic group of ukulele players from all walks of life who meet each week at the Library to strum and chat and just have a really good time. This mon...

Physicist, explosives engineer, soldier, stand-up comedian, science advisor, cave diver, author and astronaut candidate for a one way trip to Mars, Josh Richards has certainly got some stories to tell. We were lucky enough to have Josh as our special guest to talk all things SPACE for this year’s National Simultaneous Storytime event held here at the Mount Gambier Library.  After tackling the...

As part of Library and Information Week we take a step back in time to explore Mount Gambier's largely unknown Meischel Park, formerly known as the Boandik Lutheran Cemetery. Join us as we discuss the story of this forgotten cemetery and those interred there. Resources Used in Research of this Episode Seeds of Blessings: History of the Lutheran Church in Mount Gambier by St Martins Lutheran Church...