AFTER receiving a Community Recognition Award on Australia Day from the Southern Grampians Shire Council, the Hamilton branch of the Anglican Church Mothers’ Union is pleased to announce the annual Anglican Book Fair is on again.

 The book fair has been proudly running for 32 years and has raised over $340,000.

The sale will again run for six weeks opening 10am-5pm weekdays from Monday, February 19, until Wednesday, March 27, before Easter.

It is open on Saturdays too, from 9am-12.30pm.

The Mothers’ Union has been busily sorting and pricing books in preparation for their popular fundraiser.

Mother’s Union Book Fair coordinator, Susan Mason said that donations had been consistent and gratefully received.

“There is a lot of good quality new novels that have come in and some very interesting non-fiction,” she said.

“They’ve all been priced, sorted, and stored ready for the influx of new and old customers.

“Donations of second handbooks are welcome but not until Thursday of the first week.

“We only take good quality saleable books.”

Mrs Mason said they do not take any Readers Digest in any form, no encyclopaedias, no textbooks and no magazines and reminded donors to donate better quality books.

“If it’s too old, tatty or mouldy - we have to pay for recycling which is taken off our bottom line,” she said.

Mrs Mason again expressed gratitude to the many volunteers for the annual sale.

“We had 40 community and church volunteers which helped last year but as always, we can fit in a few more people.

“There’s still a lot of pricing and sorting to be done - that is ongoing.

“Kids’ books are priced very reasonably because we encourage kids to read.”

Mrs Mason said this year the funds raised would go to a water project in Myanmar, the Anglicare Australia Disaster Relief Fund, and Hamilton’s Anglican Christchurch ceiling project.

“This year once again the local project to be funded will be the Anglican Roof appeal, due to a ceiling collapse in the church’s nave,” she said.

The Book Fair is run from the same location as previous years, out of the two vacant shops immediately to the right at the top of the travellators in The Hub, next to Lincraft.

Mrs Mason said the Mother’s Union was very grateful for the generosity of the proprietors of The Hub, who have again committed to supporting the Book Fair by providing the space free of charge.

Based on previous years, it was anticipated that another 3000-4000 books would be sold for an average price of around $4, some less, some more.

“Come along and browse for a bargain book and remember - cash only,” Mrs Mason said.

Mrs Mason said the Mothers’ Union was honoured for the recognition they received on Australia Day for the annual Fair.

“We were really grateful,” she said.

“To have someone write in and nominate us for an award was really very special and very affirming for what we do.”