Rotary book sale on cusp of setting record

The Rotary Club of Narrabri is on track to break its fundraising record at its book sale, with the entirety of funds to be injected back into the community.

More than $25,000 was raised in 2020 and to date the club has raised almost $24,000.

With the Maitland Street shop doors remaining open for the coming weeks, book sale coordinator Bruce Pyke anticipates the club will pass its previous record.

“We’re still getting book donations coming through the door. There are always new books to find,” Mr Pyke said.

“We are really pleased with the support shown to the book sale this year.

“The money we raise here at the book sale stays local.”

Mr Pyke said Rotary is still happy to accept books in good condition to be sold at the sale.

The book shop has amended its opening times and is now open on Thursday and Friday as well as Saturday mornings.

The book sale has developed from a book section at a garage sale held at the showgrounds to the stand-alone sale in the Narrabri town centre.

Former Rotarian Bruce Ireland has supported the initiative by providing the Maitland Street shop free of charge.

Club member Tim Logan provides the use of his warehouse for storage and Narrabri Farm Centre acts as a book donation point.

Club president Darrell Tiemens said Rotary was committed to ensuring the money raised stayed locally.

He said the service organisation’s board had recently met to determine organisations that will receive donations.

Among the causes are Shared Table as well as skin grafting equipment in conjunction with the Narrabri Hospital Auxiliary.

The donations come at the end of Mr Tiemens’ tenure as president before he hands over the reins of the club at a handover dinner next month.

In addition to this financial support, the club has already made a donation towards the Country Education Foundation of the Namoi this year.

The club played an important role in facilitating the Pink Up Namoi festivities late last year.

Other achievements in the last 12 months, the 75th anniversary year of Rotary in Narrabri, include the donation of a barbecue to the Narrabri Amateur Fishing Club and preparations for upgraded shelter facilities at Cameron Park.