Vale Pat Gallaher OAM

Patricia 'Pat' Gallaher OAM was one of the inaugural members of the ALIA Retirees Group, having devoted almost 30 years to delivering exceptional public library services in regional Western Australia, in Paraburdoo, Karratha and Geraldton as well as serving on the Library Board of Western Australia. 

Photo credit: State Library of Western Australia

Pat began her working life as a laboratory technician in Sheffield. She emigrated to Australia and worked at the Defence Standards Laboratories in Alexandria, Sydney.  Her first library job was at Mosman Public Library in Sydney. Moving a few years later to Western Australia, Pat Gallaher worked in public libraries in regional areas for almost 30 years. She held positions in Paraburdoo and Karratha, and then for 20 years as the regional librarian for the City of Geraldton (1981-2001). While at Geraldton Library Pat introduced many new services and developments, including a service to house-bound residents, the internet, and an automated library management system. Pat also oversaw extensions to the Library and established the local studies collection.

Recognizing a need to foster young writers, Pat initiated the Randolph Stow Young Writers Award in 1989 to encourage school students in the Geraldton region of Western Australia to write. Pat Gallaher served on many committees promoting regional arts, including the Geraldton Arts Council and as a board member of Country Arts WA. In 1987 Pat formed the Mid West regional chapter of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA).

Pat Gallaher joined the Library Board of Western Australia in 2002 as the representative for the Western Australian Local Government Association and served a four year term to 2006. She was named as a Fellow of the Library Board in 2011, in recognition for her commitment to libraries and the arts in regional Western Australia. She was interviewed on 28 October 2013 as part of the Library Board of Western Australia 60th anniversary project.

Pat remained involved with the library profession in her retirement, helping to establish the Retirees section of the Australian Library and Information Association.  Following her retirement from the Geraldton Library, Pat was elected to the Geraldton City Council, serving on the municipal council from 2001-2003.

In 2003 Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the arts and to the community, particularly as a regional librarian. In 2011 she was made a Fellow of the Library Board of Western Australia.

Pat Gallaher died in Perth, Western Australia on 11 December 2014.

Source: Patricia Gallaher. (2015, February 4). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 03:45, March 23, 2015, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Patricia_Gallaher&oldid=645590144

Retirees at Dreaming 2008

In the months leading up to ALIA Dreaming 2008 at Alice Springs early in September the ALIA Retirees had been planning a get -together for members interested in staying connected during retirement. Robin had arranged a "spot" in the schedule and we hoped to meet colleagues and friends in amongst the busy program.

As it turned out there were only three of us who met...Mylee, Robin and Val had been talking in teleconferences for nearly a year and finally had the opportunity to see each other, have a celebratory drink together and get acquaninted in person. It was a real joy!

The conference was a wonderful experience. The quality of speakers and the range of topics was superb and enough to keep all of us enthralled for the whole three days. We met colleagues old and new from all over the world and found, as usual, that we share a passion for our profession even though we are officially "retired" (but still working part time or as volunteers).

All three of us who attended were amamzed at the range of projects being undertaken by librarians in large and small communities all over Australia and the world. As could be expected with the venue being Alice Springs many of the conference papers and presentations had a focus on indigenous culture and library services to indigenous communities. These examples were inspiring.

The venue and the social events were just spectacular, taking advantage of the unique features of the unusual location. We met local wildlife, stargazed at a clear desert sky and danced in the red dust. The convention centre caters well to such an event and the whole population of the town showed us real outback hospitality.

We thoroughly recommend attending ALIA conferences as a way of keeping contact with colleagues and in touch with our profession, especially at the bargain price offered to Retiree members! We look forward to another great time at ALIA Brisbane in 2010, in conjunction with IFLA! See you there.

Regards, Val Hooper

News gathering

In our fast moving electronic age it's important to remember to celebrate and acknowledge the lives and achievements of our colleagues. One of the priorities for the ALIA Retirees group is to do just that. This blog will be used to share news of interest to retirees and we welcome your contributions.