Brisbane based author Nick Earls joined The Footpath Library as an Ambassador back in 2013. A versatile writer, Nick established his credentials as a children’s writer with the successful trilogy The Word Hunters. He has written for magazines and newspapers, and his adult fiction has been turned into plays and film (well, one so far—but…
Welcome to the winter edition of our newsletter and greetings from Sri Lanka where I have been based for the last few months. While I have been away I have managed to enjoy some great books and in this video I share some of my recent favourites with you.
Radio interview with founder Sarah Garnett on the UN’s World Book and Copyright Day. Click here to listen
On March 6 we officially launched our Perth branch. We have been overwhelmed by the support of the Perth people and our new Branch Manager, Zora Harvie, pulled an enthusiast team of volunteers together in record time. “We’ve had supporters asking us for several years when we’re coming to Perth! We knew there was a…
We were absolutely thrilled to unveil the brand new library van for our Sydney CBD last night. Many thanks to Bill Buckle VW, Mark Mahony, StreetSmart, Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts and The Anglican Parish of St. Alban’s for enabling us to make this purchase. “We are so excited and grateful to the wonderful donors…
AN INSPIRATIONAL poem about Pakistan’s Malala Yousafzai won Penrith Selective High School student Wanda Kuai first place in the Footpath Library poetry competition. Wanda Kuai receives her award from the Footpath Library’s ambassador program co-ordinator, Meredith Jaffe. More than 50 students entered the annual national competition, which this year centred around courage. Wanda, 13, said…
For many Australians education is something taken for granted but for people who experience disadvantage and social isolation attending university can seem like something from a fantasy novel. The good news is that through initiatives such as the Australian Catholic University’s Clemente Australia program that fantasy is becoming a reality. The Australian Catholic University (ACU)…
March 6 saw the official opening of The Footpath Library’s Perth branch. Whilst that means we have been busy recruiting volunteers to make our library services a reality, we have also been recruiting two new ambassadors for Western Australia. What an absolute pleasure it is to welcome David Whish-Wilson and Ken Spillman to our team…
There’s a fine line between having it all and having nothing. Founder Sarah Garnett and her partner, cinematographer Shane McLachlan, have produced a documentary about a man called Hank, who they met when he came to The Footpath Library’s original mobile site in Woolloomoolloo eight years ago. The aim of this personal tale is to…
International Book Giving Day is a volunteer initiative aimed at increasing children’s access to and enthusiasm for books. It is a sad fact of life that most children in developing countries do not own books and even in the wealthy countries such as the US, the UK and Australia, more than one third of children…
The Footpath Library simply couldn’t exist without the many volunteers who generously donate their time. It is thanks to their tireless dedication that we can offer our services to the homeless community. In this edition, we introduce you to our Melbourne Branch Manager Shayne Francis who explains why she has been volunteering at The Footpath…
Children are emerging as the new face of homelessness in Australia. Children in homeless families are now the largest single group who seek support from the homeless service system. In 2009-10, the homeless service system supported more than 84,000 children plus an additional 23,000 young people aged 18 or under who approached a service without…
To celebrate our tenth anniversary, The Footpath Library ran a national poetry competition for school-aged students on the theme of courage. Students could write traditional verse, create a visual or graphic representation of a poem or performance poetry such as rap rhyme or song. The word was picked up via writers’ centres, the library network,…
The Footpath Library (TFL) has hit the airways with a series of Community Service Announcements kindly recorded by our patron Peter FitzSimons, long time supporter Tim Farriss (INXS), Melbourne author ambassador Kate Holden, regular client Barry, and Founder Sarah Garnett. In a heartfelt series the recording team revealed their personal connection and experience with The…
The Footpath Library (TFL) chairperson, Barbara McKellar facilitated a wonderful think tank with several local libraries on February 6. Attended by reps from Waverley Library, Newcastle Library, State Library of NSW, and City of Sydney Libraries the group discussed the challenges and perspectives in working with homeless people. The session was also aimed at uncovering…