Bookfest
Bookfest is a major fundraising event for the Murilla Communtiy Centre, since 2009.
What started off as a small event has grown significantly to now include local stall holders to complement the book sales with items like jewellery, massages, jams and preserves, face painting, necklace making; handmade glass beads, wool spinning, face painting and apple slinkies as well as our always popular canteen and raffles.
Bookfest would not be possible without the tireless efforts of our dedicated team of volunteers and the Murilla Community Centre Staff. Volunteers contribute by sorting, cleaning and packing donated books throughout the year, sourcing water proof boxes, setting up and cleaning up the hall, transporting the books from storage to the event, creating signage and selling raffle tickets, not to mention helping out on the day by assisting people looking for a particular author or topic, as well as providing tea, coffee, and food.
Books can be donated to the Community Centre at any time throughout the year.
Bookfest is also supported by local businesses and the Western Downs Regional Council. Previous contributors include Laing O’Rourke, Origin Energy, Suncorp, Queensland Bulls Masters, Black Toyota, Heidi’s Gifts, Homewares by LK, 4 little ones, Flexi Foam, Richards Transport, Toms Signs and RoadTek as well as many other individuals from our community and further afield.
If you would like to volunteer or contribute in any away, please contact the Murilla Community Centre on 4627 2027.
2021
After a one-year-break due to Covid 19, the Leichhardt Hall was filled with books, as well as puzzles, DVD’s, videos and records. The dull and rainy weather did not stop the visitors attending the annual Bookfest. From 8:30am to 2pm close to 100 people visited the event. The weather was really the perfect base for a reading afternoon with all the new possessions. People left with bags and bags full of books, puzzles, DVD’s etc. Many items found new homes and everyone enjoyed a little read and rummage in the aisles and aisles of books, as well as catching up while having a cuppa and a bite to eat. The kids area was busy especially with the face painting artist from “Paint That”.
At the end of the event the Multi-draw raffle was drawn and we would like to thank all kind people who donated the raffle prizes.
Preparation is everything! Weeks before, numerous volunteers worked behind the scenes to clean and organise books into categories and much more.
On the day before the Bookfest even more volunteers got into it, rolled their sleeves up and set up the Leichhardt Hall for the annual fundraiser. Thanks to all volunteers and QGC and WDRC workers for lending a helping hand.
As in previous years, all proceeds will go towards the upkeep of the Murilla Community Buses.
2019
The 10th anniversary of Bookfest was held on Saturday the 25th of May 2019. The event had a wide selection of books, DVD’s, cassettes, puzzles, games, records & much more!
The total amount of money raised from this event will go towards keeping the community buses on the road! A big thank-you to all of the dedicated volunteers who put in months of hard work and spend hours tirelessly cleaning and categorising thousands of books in preparation for the event.
2018
On April 21st the annual Bookfest was held at the Leichhardt Centre, Miles. Books were up for sale fro as little as $1 or you could fill a bag for $5.
The event raised over $3,400 for the day. This money has allowed for the Murilla Community Bus to continue to run for another year. A big thank you must be given to all of the volunteers who spend hours upon hours in the up coming months before the big day!
