Bookarama, Howick Rotary Club’s most successful annual event, kicks off next week. GEOFF THOMPSON, the convenor Rotary Club of Howick Bookarama 2020, flicks back the pages to 20 years ago, telling us the story of how it all started.
Way back in the year 2000, the Howick Rotary Club came up with an idea of having a book sale to raise money to invest back into the community.
The name ‘Bookarama’ originated from a book sale run by Cambridge Rotary Club. We thought that was an excellent name and so Bookarama became the name of our own Book Sale.
The first Bookarama was held from an empty store in Picton St, Howick. This was quite a small sale however we quickly realised that this event had potential so the following year it was held at the old Howick Library building in Fencible Drive – the Library had just moved to Uxbridge Rd.
We stayed there for a number of years but then Council asked us to move so we set up the event at the Howick Intermediate School in the October school holidays. After several years the event moved to Howick RSA at Wellington St.
This proved a very successful venue due to its central location however due to the fact that the event was getting bigger and bigger, the search once again started for a larger venue.
We were thrilled to be offered the gymnasium at Somerville Intermediate School and this will be our second year at this large and excellent venue.
The Howick Rotary Club is so grateful for the generous support we have had from the school and judging by the huge quantity of books, puzzles, CDs, DVDs and LPs we will certainly need all the space available
We wish to sincerely thank the community for supporting the Howick Rotary Club over the years and this year in particular as the volume has far exceeded last year’s collection.
Without your support we could not operate and raise the many thousands of dollars so badly needed by many charities and organisations.
Now, all we need is to encourage as many people as possible to come along and enjoy the opportunity to browse through the amazing collection and buy items.
The quantity and quality of books is amazing and you are certain to find lots to take your fancy.
We look forward to seeing you all at Bookarama 2020.
- Bookarama commences on Tuesday, October 6, from 6pm to 9pm. It’s the ‘Early Bird/Dealer Night’ with an entry charge of $20 per person.
From Wednesday, October 7 to Saturday, October 10, 9am to 6pm. Free entry.
Bookarama concludes on Sunday, October 11 from 9am to 3pm. Entry is Free. - Venue: Somerville Intermediate School Somerville Rd Howick. There is plenty of parking, just follow the signs.
