June 8, 2016
A very special morning tea was held in Proston Community Hall on Wednesday to acknowledge the benefits of Proston Council Library to the local community … and the enthusiasm of library officer Margaret Westerman.
Margaret will be retiring from her role on June 24 after 17 years moulding and shaping Proston Library into the community hub that it has become today.
Speakers took turns at praising the work Margaret has done over the years, including South Burnett mayor Keith Campbell and Proston Community Nurse Kathy Crane.
Kathy also read out a speech prepared by Cr Kathy Duff, who sent her apologies as she was escorting a group of local farmers to Farmfest.
Cr Duff described the Proston Library as the “heartbeat of the town” and said it was difficult to put into words Margaret’s undying commitment to the town.
Margaret and her husband Ian “retired” to Proston in 1994.
She quickly became involved in the tuckshop at the local school, and from there started volunteering at the library.
She was appointed administrator of the library in August 1999.
“My view (at the time) was that the library was vastly under-utilised,” she said.
Margaret feared the then-Wondai Shire Council could close the library so she started approaching people and groups to get involved in activities.
Many Proston groups came to the party, including the local Baptist Church, Proston Show Society, Scouts, QCWA, the Wednesday craft group, a book club, Proston Lions, Proston Men’s Shed and Proston Over 50s.
Then tourist information was added, and later events such as Laughter Yoga, Melbourne Cup Day functions and guest speakers.
As time went on, Proston Library started accepting dog registrations and rates payments on behalf of Council.
And now – just as Margaret is leaving – the Library is having an EFTPOS machine installed which will enable residents to pay any Council bills by EFTPOS.
Margaret told the assembled crowd she had been working since she was 13 so the thought of retiring “terrifies” her.
However, she will be re-joining the Proston QCWA so will be still seen out and about at many Proston events.
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