From little things, big things grow – local artist announced for new Kangaroo Flat Library artwork

While the books have been untouched on their shelves for a few months during the Coronavirus closures of Bendigo’s libraries, a team of builders have been hard at work building a fresh new home for Kangaroo Flat Library at Lockwood Road. The library team are excited to be re-opening to the public and moving to their beautiful new site. The new library will be open to the public from July 1.

The library has commissioned local DjaDja Wurrung artist Daikota Nelson to develop an original piece of Aboriginal artwork for the front counter at the new Kangaroo Flat Library. The artwork is the first of several art projects across Goldfields Libraries to acknowledge and celebrate the First Nations communities and history of our area.

“Libraries are modern keepers and sharers of knowledge, information and stories. We would like to reflect and respect the Dja Dja Wurrung community, the original and continuing knowledge holders, wisdom keepers and story tellers of these lands,” said Goldfields Libraries Manager of Engagement, Lucy Mayes.

Kangaroo Flat Library is looking forward to creating active partnerships with local community groups such as the Bendigo Special Development School across the road, and the City of Greater Bendigo Social Support Group with whom they will be sharing the building. With libraries having been closed now for several months, many community members have missed their community loungeroom. “I’m excited about having a bigger, new facility” said one library user. “It still has easy parking and there will be opportunities for more kid friendly events and activities to be held. It is a great resource for the Kangaroo Flat community now and for the future.”

The new library will be sporting a temporary indoor ‘tree.’ Come in and add a leaf to the tree by telling us what you think of the new Kangaroo Flat Library, and let us know what you’d love to see in our new courtyard. Help our new library blossom and grow!

Funding for the project has been provided by the City of Greater Bendigo, a Victorian Government Living Libraries Grant and Goldfields Library Corporation.

To find out more about the new Kangaroo Flat Library visit www.ncgrl.vic.gov.au/kangarooflatlibraryrelocation