Bendigo Library

We’re inviting families with young children to take a walk with words while our regular Storytimes break for the holidays.


Rug up and explore a local park or path while enjoying some of our favourite children’s books, at your own pace.


Find our winter StoryWalk locations on the website:

https://www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/storywalks/



With thanks to our partners on this project

Don’t miss Damo’s Rock n’ Read Show! A live and fun-filled celebration of song, dance and story, straight from ABC Kids Listen to the library.

A free performance the whole family can enjoy together these school holidays.

🗓 Friday 3 July
⏰3:30-4:10 pm
📍Bendigo Library
👉 Book your FREE tickets here https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-damo-rock-n-read-show-tickets-1991881348734?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

Celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC Week these school holidays with Majeda Beatty, live in Bendigo! This celebrated singer-songwriter, rapper and storyteller captivates audiences through culture.

A free performance not to be missed for children aged 5-12 and their families.



🗓 Thursday 9 July from 3.30pm

📍Bendigo Library

👉Book at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/majeda-beatty-murri-island-girl-tickets-1991882026762?aff=odcleoeventsincollection

Spend Friday afternoon in the library with author Heidi Everrett, discussing her beautiful book My Friend Fox.

Andrew Denton described the memoir as “tender, wise and deeply true".

Favel Parrett said everyone should read it.

Heidi’s lyrical, illustrated story outlines the personal side of her mental health file, shadowed by the tale of a fox who knows he’ll never belong.

This very special author event is also the opening of the Schizy Inc exhibition of works created by artists with diverse mental health experiences.

Come for the story, stay for the art.
From 4pm Friday, June 26. Bookings via link in comments 👇

Yasmin has just put the finishing touches on our pop-up eye spy cabinet, back by popular demand!

Designed for curious young minds, there’s everything from A-Z, the numbers one to ten, favourite colours, groups of three and four and five, so much to find, so much to spy…

Some treasures were left in the library, or donated by staff. Others were op shop finds, says Yasmin.

“Parents can interact with it too, and talk to their children about shapes, primary and secondary colours, things big and small, and natural elements like the banksia pod and the gum leaves. There are so many things to engage with.”

Check it out when you’re next in the library with your little ones – including during the school holidays. Link below to other holiday happenings 👇🏼

Who best to accompany a reading of The Little Red Hen than an actual little red hen?

Chestnut the chicken joined Geordie for storytime this week - cracking the code to holding the children's attention.

“She sat on my lap and gently clucked while I read the story, and didn’t even leave a present on my lap, and then we all had pats afterwards,” Geordie said.

Speckled companion Cookie, on the other hand, far more preferred a gossip in the office. It’s all in a day’s work - both girls are welcome back anytime.

🎤 Online Author Event 🎤



Libby Reads with Ben Hobson is a monthly book club for readers across Australia to borrow the monthly featured book on the Libby App and then join a free live author discussion on Zoom, hosted by Ben Hobson.



Join us for an evening of discussion with Zeynab Gamieldien, author of Learned Behaviours, June's featured title on Libby.



📅 Tuesday 23 June

🕢 7.30pm

🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/4feDL6S



‘Learned Behaviours’ will be available on the Libby app as an eBook and audiobook during June — no waitlist.

Libby Reads with Ben Hobson ft. Zeynab Gamieldien

🎤 Author Talk: Heidi Everett: My Friend Fox 🎤

An exhilarating portrayal of complex mental health, mirroring the challenged spirit of a fox living in Australia.

Heidi has many strings to her bow - author, multimedia artist, arts producer, performer and mental health advocate. Her memoir, My Friend Fox, is an exhilarating portrayal of complex mental health, mirroring the challenged spirit of a fox living in Australia. Other projects include Lost Women, a film about an older woman with schizophrenia re-identifying as autistic, and Subtle Roar, a sensory-friendly punk and theatre about homelessness, recently selected for an opera mentorship.

Heidi will be the guest speaker at the launch of the MEANDERING Exhibition by Bendigo Schizy Inc (26 June-31 August).

Book sales and signings.

🗓 Friday 26 June
⏰ 4-5pm
👉 Book at goldfieldslibraries.com/bendigo-events/

Auslan trainer Hilary and interpreter Aleisha went looking for the green sheep today.

Thanks to everyone who joined our guests for the regular Auslan storytime.

“It’s becoming a lot more popular each month,” Hilary says, for both deaf and hearing children and parents.

“It’s fantastic to see families coming regularly and picking up the language, and it’s lovely to see the kids join in.

“After reading the books I always try to teach some Auslan that’s relevant to the story, like colours, or the alphabet.”

Animals were a theme today – with a certain hungry caterpillar also making a cameo.

Auslan Storytime happens each month – the next one is July 13 at 10.30am. All welcome! With thanks to our partners Expression Australia

Keep the kids busy in the library these holidays – book now for our winter break program. It’s jam-packed with fun and free performances, craft, science, book and tech activities, and has a special focus on First Nations culture for NAIDOC Week.



Pick up a paper copy in the library, or view online here

https://www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/school-holiday-program/