Hi all,

I’m back from an amazing time in Christchurch for the NZLA ‘Arts to the Bridge of Literacy’ Conference. It was great to catch up with familiar faces, friends, colleagues and even introduce myself to complete strangers! The conference delivered everything it promised and more and I can’t wait until next years one hosted by Taranaki Council held in New Plymouth – just a little bit closer to get to! Start planning a road trip now. We will have some reports in the next Noteworthy from our recipients of the Marie Clay Early Career Award and our WLA award.

Christchurch is definitely starting to taking shape, the city is evolving. I had the wonderful opportunity to step into the new library Tūranga, which overlooks the cathedral. What a delightful modern space for a city with a future.

The Waikato Literacy Association were presented with our Honour Council award for upholding 17 years of achieving Honour Council status. We are on our way to make it to our Platinum award (20 years). I’d like to acknowledge the work of Judith Woodham in preparing our presentation. This is awarded at the NZLA conference and acknowledges the work that councils undertake in the following areas: Administration, Membership Initiatives, Activities and Projects, Publication and Communication and International Involvement. Auckland and Waikato are the highest achieving councils.

The team have been trojans working hard behind the scenes – Young Authors and illustrators was another great student event. Books for Babes – celebrating September World Literacy Day and hosting an event for early career teachers and teacher trainees about the Power of the Book with Rob Southam.

As I find inspirational stories, quotes or comical sayings I post them.

“Isn’t it odd how much fatter a book gets when you’ve read it several times?

As if something were left between the pages every time you read it?

Feelings, thoughts, sounds , smells, and then, when you look at the book again many years later, you find yourself there too, a slightly younger self, slightly different, as if

the book had preserved you like a pressed flower, both strange and familiar. “

Enjoy your term,

Noho ora mai

Sandie