Vale ~ Olive Riley ... World's oldest blogger

Olive Riley - the "world's oldest blogger" passed away this week at the grand age of 108. Mrs Riley was born in 1899 in Broken Hill, Australia, when Queen Victoria was still on the throne, and survived two World Wars and the Great Depression.

Her blog is "The Life of Riley" at Olive left school in 1914 and was introduced to blogging at age 106.

For more information see this feature from the Google Blogger team.

Beverley Giegerl ~ Queens birthday honours

Congratulations to Clr Beverley Giegerl, past President of Public Libraries NSW-Metropolitan who has been honoured in the Queen's Birthday awards. Bev has received a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to local government and to the community, particularly through the provision of library services.

Further details.

Vale ~ John Merewether

John Merewether, one of the State Library of NSW volunteers, supporters and benefactors died late last week after being in ill health for some time.

John had a special affection for and devotion to the Library. He was very proud of his family heritage and relationships with David Scott Mitchell, who was his great-great uncle. In 2007, the centenary year of David Scott Mitchell's bequest, John gave a most generous benefaction to establish two annual fellowships, the David Scott Mitchell Fellowship and the Merewether Scholarship for the study of Australian and New South Wales history.

In Memoriam ~ Jean Helena Collins

It is with heartfelt thanks that ALIA acknowledges the kind bequestof $2,000 from the estate of Mr Stanley Collins who died last year. The gift was given in memory of his late wife Jean Helena Collins. Jean,who died in 1987, was a member of the Association when she was a young woman, while working at the NSW Public Library, Macquarie St, Sydney.

Vale ~ Harrison Bryan

ALIA is saddened to inform members and the library community of the death of Harrison Bryan AO MA Hon LLD FASSA FLAA, on 12 February 2008 at the age of 84.

A pillar of the Association, he served as a member of the General Council for a record 25 years including two as President in 1973 and 1974. His many other important contributions to the Association, also included a period as Editor of Australian Library Journal (1954—1957 and 1980-1981).

Harrison Bryan’s career in libraries began at the University of Queensland where he later held the position of University Librarian from 1950 to 1963. In that year he moved to the University of Sydney as University Librarian until 1980 when he became Director General of the National Library of Australia, a position he held until 1985. Throughout his career Harrison Bryan was always concerned with the development of library services in Australia.

In 1984, in recognition of his outstanding service to the library and information profession in Australia, the Association conferred on him the HCL Anderson award, the highest honour that can be bestowed on an Associate member. In the same year he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for public service, in particular in the area of librarianship.

The funeral will be in Melbourne.

Kay Poustie OAM

Congratulations to Kay Poustie, previous chair of the Library Board of Western Australia and ALIA Fellow, who received a Medal (OAM in the General Division) in this year's Australia Day Honours’ List. The award was given for service to the library and information services sector, and to the community through the Zonta International movement and aged welfare.

Library commemorates life of Sir Edmund Hillary

Christchurch City Libraries has created an information page about Sir Edmund Hillary in response to the many enquiries they have received since his passing was announced.