Vale ~ Andrea Stretton

Andrea Stretton, arts journalist and devotee of (Australian) literature, has died at the age of 55. Andrea and her mother Dulcie were great supporters of children's literature and reading, and of the CBCA. Both are honoured, and missed.

Vale Harold Weir

"Harold Weir, Parliamentary Librarian from 1978 to 1982 and distinguished staff member prior to his appointment, passed away in late August. He made a very considerable contribution to the establishment of the library's research services, particularly the establishment of high-quality service and was instrumental in much of the early automation, including the implementation of word processing, connection to external databases and development of staff skills. His contribution lives on through the successful Bills digest service, the research service itself and the use of new information technologies."' inCite, November 2007, volume 28, issue 11, page 41

Vale ~ Barbara Abbott 1943-2007

"Barbara Abbott, a respected ALIA member for almost forty years, died tragically in a road accident in Tasmania in April. Barbara was a committed reference librarian who is remembered by colleagues as an approachable, friendly person who would always go out of her way to help others..." Incite, October 2007 Vol 28, Issue 10

Vale ~ Helen Hoffmann

Our colleague Helen Hoffmann passed away on 15 October. Helen was a terrific contributor to ALIA, particularly as ALIA representative on the Australian Committee on Cataloguing (ACOC) from 1981 to 2003. An ALIA silver pin recipient in 2004, Helen was active in the Victorian Group as well. She joined La Trobe University Library in 1969 and made a major contribution to collection growth and access. She was Chief Cataloguer at La Trobe from 1977 until she retired in 2003. Many ALIA members benefited from Helen's advice and thoughts. She contributed to her profession through many committees, conference papers, journal articles and reports. We will all miss her.

ALIA Retirees member Val Hooper

I have really enjoyed my journeys in librarianship and now in “retirement” I still derive great joy from the little things like helping a “senior “ to learn to use the Internet or a non-reading teenager to return eagerly to the little local library to borrow “another book like you gave me last time”!! I did both of these today in my casual position at our (soon to be amalgamated) country-Queensland Shire Library.

My journey began many years ago when as a young teacher I was drawn to the school library as a way to enrich the lives of my students and myself!! In Papua New Guinea (with a new baby) I embarked on the ALA “Registration” and finished when I came back to Oz (with second baby!). I returned to teaching and eventually embraced Teacher Librarianship via Brisbane College of Advanced Education (later to become QUT) courses and the wonderful professional and personal fellowship of SLAQ.

When teaching lost its gloss in my middle-later years I shifted to working in a largish regional Public Library and found that the wide ranging skill set of a “used” Teacher Librarian was easily transferable to public libraries, much to my own amazement and that of colleagues from both public and educational sectors. When, after a few more years, my husband and I made our “tree change” to country Queensland I found ready acceptance in the local school as a contract Teacher Librarian and the local public library as a contract Library Co-ordinator and casual Library Assistant. Just enough to keep me interested, up to date, on my toes and meeting lots of fascinating people from all kinds of backgrounds and interest areas. And I can take time out to look after the vines we have planted, to keep in touch with friends and colleagues from far and wide and to travel. This picture shows the benefits of retirement…everyone should see the Canadian Rockies before they die!! NZ in 2008 and Italy in 2009, here I come.

Cheers to the Retirees group members
Val

Prize-winner in our midst

Ana Pollak, formerly a State Libray of NSW staff member, has won the 2007 Dobell Prize for Drawing. Today's Sydney Morning Herald has a great article and a photo of her prize-winning drawing. Congratulations, Ana!

Vale Mary-Jane Gleeson

Mary-Jane Gleeson died on 17 August 2007.

Mary-Jane made a significant contribution to the State Library of NSW during her time there. In particular, Mary-Jane leaves a tremendous legacy to present and future Librarians through her work on the Pay Equity case conducted in the Industrial Relations Commission in 2001 and 2002, which, in turn, led to the new industrial award for Librarian-related classifications. There is little doubt that through her leadership, intellectual ability, commitment, strategic thinking and solid hard work, Mary-Jane was perhaps the single most important contributing factor to this achievement. Some of us also knew Mary-Jane on a more personal level - as a friend and colleague who had great warmth and humanity and who commanded enormous respect both personally and professionally. Those of us who knew her feel her loss deeply.