Easter Book Fair good to go after securing new digs

BENDIGO Foodshare has found a new location just in time for its beloved Easter Book Fair, after its home for half a century, the YMCA Tom Tweed Stadium, was put up for sale.

The Fair will now be held between Good Friday and Easter Monday (18 to 21 April) at MacGillivray Hall, located within the Bendigo TAFE city campus at 128 McCrae Street, with an aim to raise more than $40,000 this time around.

As usual, tens of thousands of pre-loved books, magazines, records, CDs and DVDs will be on offer at bargain prices.

Books will be sorted into categories with prices starting at 50 cents for children’s books, $2 to $3 for novels, $3 for non-fiction, with collectables individually priced.

Foodshare CEO Michelle Murphy said the Fair is an iconic event on the Bendigo Easter Festival calendar.

“People travel from all across the state to visit and find their treasures at bargain prices,” she said.

“Each year on the opening morning there is a line up with hundreds of people waiting to get in to snap up their next read.

“This event is a huge fundraiser for our charity, and funds help us to continue our work to provide food for local families who are struggling to put food on the table.

“(It’s) made possible thanks to a wonder team of volunteers led by Garth Keech and Board member Margaret Keech, who give their time every week to sort donated books and coordinate the event.”

If you’d like to donate your time and volunteer for one or more two-hour shifts over the Easter long weekend, you can sign up on the Bendigo Foodshare website.