Understanding Family Law - a seminar

Join us for this free seminar as we endeavour to demystify some of the complexities of the Family Law system.

The seminar is held by the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) and will cover areas such as:

• Separation. Divorce. What happens now?
• How will our property be divided?
• Why do I have to see a family dispute resolution practitioner before I can go to court?
• How does the court decide what is in the "best interest" of our children?
• What is child support?
• What are the alternatives to going to court?

Free admission but bookings are essential.

When: Thursday 17 April, 7.30-9pm
Where: Kew Library, Cnr Cotham Road & Civic Drive, Kew
Phone: 9278 4677 for bookings or book online

Planning for a secure future - a seminar

Our population is aging and living longer. Our community faces new challenges and opportunities to meet the needs of an older population.

The seminar is held by the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV) and the aim is to provide you with some information on issues that you, your friends and family may need to consider in relation to living longer, including:

• What should I consider when making a will?
• What is a power of attorney and do I need to make one?
• What kind of retirement and aged care accommodation is available?
• What financial planning issues do I need to consider?

Free admission but bookings are essential.

When: Thursday 17 April, 2-3.30pm
Where: Balwyn Library, 336 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn
Phone: 9278 4644 for bookings or book online

Author Talk – Ross McMullin, author of “Will Dyson: Australia’s radical genius”

Will Dyson was a talented, humorous and versatile Australian artist-writer. He was internationally acclaimed in several spheres: as a brilliant and powerful cartoonist; as Australia’s first and finest official war artist; and as an outstanding etcher.

His drawings, showing profound empathy and sympathy, remain a unique record of the Western Front experience.

With ANZAC Day approaching, reminders of this period are increasingly important. This fascinating biography illuminates the life and times of a remarkable Australian.

Afternoon tea will be served.
Free admission but bookings are essential.

When: Tuesday 15 April at 2pm
Where: Hawthorn Library Meeting Room, 584 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Phone: 9278 4666 or book online

About the girls - good reads for girls and mums

From April through to July, the City of Boroondara Library Service will be hosting a series of four book sharing/discussion sessions for girls aged 10+ and their mums and another series for boys aged 10+ and their dads.

These sessions will give girls and their mums a chance to talk about books together and in the company of well known guest authors. A different theme is planned for each month and there will be competitions and great book prizes to be won.

The theme for the first session for the girls is ‘Dear Diary’ with Catherine Bateson as our special guest for the night. Catherine is an author and poet and has written novels for both young adults and younger readers. She is well known for her novel Painted Love Letters and most recently won a 2007 CBC Award for Being Bee.

The girls’ series will be held at Kew Library on Tuesdays once a month and the boys’ series at Hawthorn Library on Wednesdays once a month.

Both series will culminate in a very special fifth and final session on Tuesday 19 August entitled ‘About us all’ where all participants will come together with John Marsden and Anna Ciddor to discuss crossing boundaries in reading. This will be a real highlight and shouldn’t be missed!

The sessions are free, however places are limited and bookings are essential. So get in fast!

When: Tuesday 22 April at 7pm
Where: Kew Library, Cnr Cotham Road & Civic Drive, Kew
Phone: 9278 4677 - please book in person or over the phone

Further dates to look out for: 27 May, 24 June, 22 July

About the boys - bloke lit for boys and dads

From April through to July, the City of Boroondara Library Service will be hosting a series of four book sharing/discussion sessions for boys aged 10+ and their dads and another series for girls aged 10+ and their mums.

These sessions will give boys and their dads a chance to talk about books together and in the company of well known guest authors. A different theme is planned for each month and there will be competitions and great book prizes to be won.

The theme for the first session for the boys is ‘Boys Own Adventure’ and our special guest is Paul Collins, one of Australia’s leading science fiction and fantasy authors and co editor of the Quentaris Chronicles.

The boys’ series will be held at Hawthorn Library on Wednesdays once a month and the girls’ series at Kew Library on Tuesdays once a month.

Both series will culminate in a very special fifth and final session on Tuesday 19 August entitled ‘About us all’ where all participants will come together with John Marsden and Anna Ciddor to discuss crossing boundaries in reading. This will be a real highlight and shouldn’t be missed!

The sessions are free, however places are limited and bookings are essential. So get in fast!

When: Wednesday 16 April at 7pm
Where: Hawthorn Library, 584 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Phone: 9278 4677 - please book in person or over the phone

Further dates to look out for: 21 May, 18 June, 16 July

Victorian Premier's reading Challenge. 2008

Take the Challenge!

Uniforms are pressed, new school shoes fitted and homework has commenced. Summer is over and the school year has begun.

Many opportunities and challenges lie ahead – one of them being the Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge. Yes! It’s time to grab your list and head down to the library in search of those elusive books that never seem to be on the shelves.

Relax – and come to one of our ‘Take the Challenge’ information sessions and learn how to make the 2008 Premier’s Reading Challenge work for you.

One of our Youth Services Librarians will show you how to search the catalogue, place reservations, and become confident in helping your children to use the library system independently.

These sessions are specifically aimed at parents/carers, however upper primary (grades 5 & 6) and lower secondary students are welcome to attend.

Sessions are free but bookings are essential.

When: Wednesday 16 April at 7pm
Where: Balwyn Library, 336 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn
Phone: 9278 4644 or book online

OR

When: Monday 21 April at 7pm
Where: Ashburton Library 154 High St, Ashburton
Phone: 9278 4633 or book online

For a copy of the Reading Challenge book list click here.

Improve your study skills

The City of Boroondara Library Service is hosting a free information session aimed at helping senior students (Year 10 to VCE) to improve their study skills and make the best use of their study time.

Qualified speaker, Rhonda Morrissey, from the successful Live Smart Australia program will offer information on effective study techniques. Rhonda will talk about time and stress management, and how to balance study with recreation and other commitments.

The session will also show students how to use the library’s up to date eResources to improve their study and research skills.

The seminar is free but bookings are essential.

When: Thursday 10 April at 7-9pm
Where: Kew Library, Cnr Cotham Road & Civic Drive, Kew
Phone: any of the libraries or book online

All Boroondara Libraries closed over Easter.

All Boroondara Libraries will be closed over Easter.

Normal hours resume on Tuesday March 25th.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Easter.

Database of local authors

Are you a published author?

Do you live in Boroondara?

Then we want to hear from you.

The City of Boroondara Library Service is compiling a database of published authors who reside in the City of Boroondara.

Please fill in this form and return it to your nearest Boroondara Library.

The form is also available online at: www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/library

Search British Army War Diaries online

Family History.

Search war diaries online.

From the site:

Wouldn’t it be fascinating to discover what your First World War ancestor’s army unit actually did?

War Diaries are official daily accounts kept by individual units. They give reports on operations, intelligence summaries and other material. They can help you piece together your ancestor’s life in the army in the First World War.

Search the diaries here

Searching is free and you only pay for downloads.


Source: National Archives, UK

Next week at the Library

Tuesday March 11
11am. Pre school storytime. Balwyn Library

Thursday March 13
2pm. Booktalk. Hawthorn Library

The girl with the dragon tattoo

This novel, translated from the Swedish, has been one of the most highly anticipated crime debuts of 2008.

Much of the hype was fuelled by the death of the author, Stieg Larsson, shortly after he delivered the first three manuscripts to the publisher.

There are two main characters ( a male journalist and a female computer hacker) and the plot concerns itself with a complicated international financial fraud, and the evil past of a wealthy Swedish industrialist. The main characters are, unbeknownst to each other, investigating along parallel paths and soon their two investigations merge.

The book is long (over 500 pages) but the story doesn't flag and you want to keep reading to find out what is going to happen next.

Very enjoyable read.

Have you read this book? Then add a comment.

History of Boroondara

The City of Boroondara has a proud and rich heritage.

This area was originally part of the hunting grounds of a Wurundjeri clan of the Woiwurrung people. In 1837, John Gardiner and his family were the first Europeans to settle here.

Surveying the area that same year, Robert Hoddle declared it the 'Parish of Boroondara'. As the area was densely wooded, he took the word from the Woiwurrung language, translating it as ' where the ground is thickly shaded'.

The first Local Government body was the Boroondara District Road Board, formed in 1854 and incorporated the areas which were to become Hawthorn, Kew and Camberwell.

Hawthorn and Kew were created as separate municipalities in 1860 and the remaining area of the Road Board became Boroondara Shire in 1871. This later became the City of Camberwell.

With the amalgamation of the Cities of Camberwell, Kew and Hawthorn in June 1994 the City of Boroondara was created.

The logo of the new municipality represents this amalgamation, as well as the geography and history of the area. The Yarra River, Gardiner's Creek and the area's leafy environment are symbolised.

The formal shape of the logo suggests the structured settlement of Boroondara, and the circle represents the community that is embraced and shaded by the other elements. The colours express early Aboriginal influences.