Rotary book sale returns

THE Rotary Club of Ballarat East is turning to a new chapter as they prepare to host their first book sale in two years.

To be held at Shed 44 at the Ballarat Airport on Saturday, 6 August, all proceeds will be donated to the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.

Phil Mann is one of eight members who have been building and stocking bookshelves twice a week over the last three months in the newly-renovated space in preparation for the return of the Club tradition.

“We’ve sorted and stacked thousands of books of all genres, which have been sorted alphabetically by authors’ surnames,” he said.

“We’ve taken donations from members of the public, estates, people who have moved house, and have received books which are surplus to the requirements of the City of Ballarat Library.

“All our books are cheap. Our better-quality novels are priced at $2 to $3, ex-library novels and general novels are $1, and children’s books are very cheap.”

Previously the book sale’s proceeds have gone into consolidated Club funds, and distributed to a wide variety of charities, but Mr Mann said this August the money be fully focused on supporting the work of FECRI.

“As Rotarians, one of our major aspirations is to raise money for community organisations, and this book sale has been a long-term project that helps us achieve that,” he said.

The Rotary Club of Ballarat East book sale will be held on Saturday, 6 August from 10am to 1pm, just off Airport Road in Shed 44. Signage will direct attendees to the space.