October 29, 2012
Bookworms have had a lot to celebrate with libraries all over the South Burnett marking important milestones recently.
Nanango Library celebrated its 50th birthday last week and Kingaroy Library has marked its first birthday since its total makeover.
On Saturday, it was Wondai’s turn …
The Col Morris Public Library is a hub of the Wondai community, a point that was reinforced many times by guest speakers at Saturday’s birthday celebrations.
Former Wondai Shire councillor Col Marquardt said he was present 50 years ago when the need to establish a library was discussed.
A delegation from the council travelled to Brisbane to talk to the State Library.
“We came back more emphatic than ever that we go ahead with this scheme,” he said.
“It was a tremendous asset to our town at the time and has been through the years, and I hope it will be for years to come.
“I couldn’t imagine in my wildest dreams that I would be standing here 50 years later to help you celebrate.”
Former library volunteer (and then employee) Beryl Smith spoke of her 40 years with the library.
“I started August 18, 1962, at the Library before it was opened,” Beryl said.
“Col Morris was the Shire Clerk and my father was the Shire Chairman.”
Beryl said she was a volunteer but after 12 months, the Wondai Council voted to pay her an honorarium of £3 per week plus a pair of stockings.
The library was extended in 1979 and renamed the “Col Morris Library”.
South Burnett Mayor Cr Wayne Kratzmann thanked the current Library team of staff and volunteers, and paid tribute to all the volunteers who had worked in the building over the years.
He said the Col Morris Library was synonymous with Wondai.
He recalled that when he used to work at Wondai Shire Council he would like to “escape” across the road to the library to see Beryl and the volunteers.
“If you wanted to see the happy people, you’d go to the library,” he said.
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