ANTICIPATING the final fundraising tally ahead of official figures to be announced next week, Rotary Club of Coffs Harbour’s (RCCH) BookFest organisers are confident of a record breaking year.
“We have exceeded last year’s takings, which is wonderful, and we thank each and every person who came and bought a book,” BookFest coordinators Tony and Glen James told News Of The Area.
“Proceeds from this year’s BookFest will support a number of community endeavours including Lifeline North Coast, Breakers AFC, Coffs Regional Brass Band, educational scholarships for Coffs Harbour students, Disabled Surfing Association Mid North Coast and health programs supporting Coffs Coast community.”
Over the eight-day event at Norm Jordan Pavillion in Coffs Harbour Showground, some 70,000 books, games, DVDs and CDs were sold.
“This year people were particularly seeking out fantasy fiction, children’s [books], new age and craft,” Glen said.
While a collection of vintage Phantom comics was announced for sale, interest focused on individual copies but RCCH believes the value is in selling it as a set.
“We are currently holding a silent auction where people put in bids. At closing on 12 April, the highest bidder will win.”
Visitors came from all over the Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and Sydney.
High points included comments such as “our family look forward to this each year”, “better than Christmas” and “a book lover’s paradise”.
“One happy customer bought a rare 1880 edition of Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ (the name of the book before it eventually became “Alice in Wonderland”).
“So many people were able to find the book they had been searching for over many years.”
Coffs Harbour Rotary BookFest is an annual community event in Coffs Harbour.
People browsed for hours and some came each day to see what was new on the tables.
BookFest is a combined effort of Rotarians not just from the Coffs Harbour Club but also Rotary Club Coffs Harbour Daybreak, Coffs City Rotary Club and the community volunteers who also help at the book drop off on the last Sunday of each month.
“We would also extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the businesses and organisations in the Coffs area who promoted this year’s BookFest,” Glen added.
By Andrea FERRARI
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