Poetry Month: Libby Hathorn & Elizabeth Cummings present Coastal Poetry

Tuesday 8 August, 6.30 - 7.30pm

Celebrate Australian Poetry Month with local writers, Libby Hathorn and Elizabeth Cummings. In this talk, both writers will share their journey of resilience during the pandemic, and the solace they found immersing themselves in the amazing beaches of coastal NSW.

Colour My Life Club

Monthly Tuesdays, 6.30 - 8pm,
next session 8 August

Unwind this year at the Library and bring some colour into the world. A perfect balance of mindfulness and creativity, colouring is a perfect way to destress and relax, allowing your imagination to flow as you fill the pages with vibrant hues. Build friendships and make connections in a warm and welcoming environment, all while letting your artistic spirit flourish on paper.

Film Screening: Sami Blood

Friday 11 August, 10 - 12pm

Elle-Marja, along with her younger sister, were forced to leave their home to attend a boarding school for Sami children. Encountering constant bullying and hostility, her desire to pursue further education, cause Ella-Marja to abandon her identity and forge a new one.

Monthly, every second Monday,
6.30 - 8.30pm, next session 14 August

Unwind this year at the Library and bring some colour into the world. A perfect balance of mindfulness and creativity, colouring is a perfect way to destress and relax. Build friendships and make connections in a warm and welcoming environment.

Education: Developing Good Self-care

Thursday 17 August 6.30 - 7.30pm

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey towards achieving a balanced and resilient mind? Look no further because headspace, Australia's leading mental health organisation, is thrilled to invite you to our exclusive workshop dedicated to promoting self-care and coping strategies. The team of experienced mental health professionals will provide insights into the importance of self-care and coping strategies.

Queer Cinema

Friday 25 August, 6.30 - 8.30pm

Inspired by a true story. It's the summer of 1984, Margaret Thatcher is in power and the National Union of Mineworkers is on strike, prompting a group of gay and lesbian activists, based in the famous London bookshop Gay is the Word, to raise money to support the strikers' families. Initially rebuffed by the Union, the group identifies a tiny mining village in Wales and sets off to make their donation in person. An engaging movie that manages to be political without being preachy.

Ben's Book Club: Together We Read featuring Kirsty Manning

Tuesday August 29, 6.30-7.30pm, via Zoom

Join best-selling author Ben Hobson in conversation with Kirsty Manning to discuss her novel The Paris Mystery. As Australian journalist Charlie James alights at the Gare du Nord, ready to start her role as correspondent for The Times, she steps into a city in turmoil as war becomes increasingly likely. In this Charlie James series, Manning beguiles with glamour and mystery set in a Paris of great uncertainty.

Green Thumbs: Colorful Resin Coasters with Dried Flowers

Wednesday 30 August, 10am - 12pm

Experience the enchantment of nature combined with vibrant resin art. Join us as we guide you through the process of creating stunning coasters using crystal-clear resin and an array of dried flowers. No prior experience is required, so come and immerse yourself in this hands-on workshop, where you'll leave with unique, eye-catching coasters to adorn your home or gift to loved ones.

Film: In My Blood It Runs

Dujuan is an inquisitive ten-year-old Arrernte/Garrwa boy who speaks three languages, understands his Aboriginal culture, loves his country and seems to have a happy future in Mparntwe. At home he is bright and contented, but problems begin at his school. His teachers are not trained to appreciate the students’ Indigenous knowledge, and the books that Dujuan must read speak of an Australia that is not his at all.

Book: Albert Namatjira by Vincent Namatjira

Award-winning artist Vincent Namatjira tells the life story of his great-grandfather, Albert Namatjira, one of Australia's most iconic artists. Vincent's witty and moving paintings are accompanied by evocative text, which records the pivotal moments in Albert's life. Vincent builds a compelling picture of the times and conditions in which Albert lived and worked. This poignant children's book provides an important tool for discussion about Australia's art history.

Book: The global merchants by Joseph Sassoon

The astonishing story of the Sassoons, one of the nineteenth century's preeminent commercial families. This book reveals the secrets behind the family's success: how a handful of Jewish exiles from Ottoman Baghdad forged a mercantile juggernaut from their new home in colonial Bombay, and the way they came to bridge East and West, culturally as well as commercially.

Book: Saga land by Richard Fidler and Kári Gíslason

This is a captivating blend of travelogue and genealogy. The authors embark on a journey through Iceland's landscapes, exploring their Viking ancestry and the sagas that shaped their heritage. Unraveling their family histories, they paint a vivid picture of Iceland's ancient tales and modern-day culture.

Sydney Jewish Writers Festival 2023

Wednesday 23 August to Sunday 27 August, Bondi Pavilion

Sydney Jewish Writers Festival returns in 2023 to the Bondi Pavilion. Discover sessions that speak to you, writers that inspire, & curious conversations that compel you to explore your identity. Headlining the festival is the inimitable David Baddiel, British comedian, author, screenwriter, and television presenter. Check out the 2023 program with three streams of exceptional writers, poets, musicians, playwrights, comedians, and thinkers who promise to challenge us to explore our identity in all its facets.

2023 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award longlist announced

After reading their way through a record 239 nominated titles, judges for Waverley Council’s Mark & Evette Moran Nib Literary Award commended the strong field of contenders for the $40,000 major prize. You can find all of this year’s longlisted titles at Waverley Library use the more button below to view the full longlist. Now in its 22^nd year, the award is a celebration of the very best in Australian research-based literature. It is presented by Waverley Council with thanks to principal sponsors Mark & Evette Moran.