FEATURED EVENTS

Comic Deep Dive

Encourage the artist in your child with this three hour comic illustration deep dive delivered by talented artist, author, former Walt Disney animator and all round funny guy – Mark Guthrie.

Interactive, fun and inspiring, children will see their favourite drawings come to life, learn how picture books are made and develop their own illustrative skills and confidence.

Worm Farming And Composting Workshops

Miles April 4 9am–12pm

Chinchilla April 5 9am–12pm

Dalby April 6 9am–12pm

Are you sick of putting food waste into landfill?

Join commercial worm farmer, Brian Donaldson, to learn how to generate beneficial soil conditioner for your garden from your waste.

Brian will be sharing his practical knowledge and tips and tricks for setting up your own safe and efficient worm farm and compost heap at home.

Jandowae May 11 9.30am

Chinchilla May 11 1.30pm

Miles May 12 9.30am

Tara May 12 2pm

Health Food Demonstration

Learn how to include more healthy foods in your diet, quick hacks to make healthy snacks, lunch box ideas and enjoy a demonstration of how to make healthy snacks such as bliss balls, slices, and yoghurt! Delivered by local nutritionist, Candice Berghan.

Slow Stitching

Settle in to this calming craft workshop to learn slow-stitching with Sashiko mending methods. Bring along a well-loved item to mend

Tara May 20 9.30am

Cake Decorating

Teenagers are invited to come along and learn how to use fondant icing to decorate cupcakes. You could even enter your finished products in the Dalby Show!

Dalby April 12 10am

Kokedama

In this fun, hands-on workshop you will learn how to wrap a plant's root system and bind it with string, transforming it into a sculptural, living art form to decorate your home.

Jandowae March 15 10am

Bell 26 April 10am

Dalby 26 April 2pm

Moonie* 26 April 2pm

Wandoan 27 April 10am

Chinchilla 27 April 10am

Rustling Leaves

Children are invited to create their own special wind chime using leaf printed models from clay.

Miles April 13 10am

March Adult Workshops

Game Night

Be Connected: Government Websites

Kokedama for Beginners

Dungeons and Dragons

Mosaics for Beginners

APRIL

Game Night

Be Connected: WiFi and Data

Dungeons and Dragons

3D Tinkercad Design

Health Food Education and Demonstration

Glass Mosaic Tea Light Holders

5 March 6pm

9 March 10am

15 March 10am

19 March 2pm

24 March 5.30pm

1 April 6pm

4 April 10am

16 April 2pm

19 April 3.30pm

Wednesday 26 April Wednesday 26 April Wednesday 26 April

Thursday 27 April Thursday 27 April

10am 1.30pm 1.30pm 10am

Thursday 27 April Friday 28 April 10am

May

Words Out West

NEW & NOTEWORTHY SPARE BY PRINCE HARRY

It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mothers coffin as the world watched in sorrow - and horror. For Harry, this is that story at last. With its raw, unflinching honesty, Spare is a landmark publication full of insight, revelation, self-examination, and hard-won wisdom about the eternal power of love of grief.

Without A Trace By Danielle Steel

After surviving a car accident off the Normandy coast, Charles Vincent, trapped in a loveless marriage, meets Aude Saint-Martin with whom he forms an instant connection as she nurses him back to health and decides, in a split second, to fight for a chance at happinesswhatever the cost.

THE 3AM SHATTERED MUMS' CLUB

BY NINA MANNING

Meet Aisha, Sophy and Mel. Three new mums. All absolutely shattered. The only sanity these three friends have is their 3am mums' club, where they can chat and support each other in the dark of the night as their babies, finally, finally sleep. But in the still of night, secrets are revealed that could turn all their lives upside down.

THE WOMAN KING (DVD)

In the 1800's, a group of all-female warriors protects the African kingdom of Dahomey with skills and fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Face with a new threat, General Nanisca trains the next generation of recruits to fight against a foreign enemy that's determined to destroy their way of life.

THE OPAL MINER'S DAUGHTER BY FIONA McARTHUR

Following the journey of Dr Riley Brand, a beautiful, leggy obstetrician, who takes four weeks leave from her Sydney practice and comfy harbour apartment to search for her mother, an opal miner, in Lightening Ridge. While there, Riley takes up work as a fertility expert in the small medical centre. As her time in the country comes to an end, Dr Conrad Grey, the local doctor, knows he will soon have to confess his developing feelings for Riley, or risk loosing her for good. Will the dust, opal lust, and Friday ladies night be enough to make her stay? – Chris, Wandoan Library.

THE STOLEN HEIR BY HOLLY BLACK (YA)

Return to the opulent world of Elfhame, filled with intrigue, betrayal, and dangerous desires, with this first book of a captivating new duology from the #1 New York Times bestselling author Holly Black. A runaway queen. A reluctant prince. And a quest that may destroy them both.

The Fall Between By Darcy Tindale

Detective Rebecca Giles has just finished interviewing aging petty crim Sticky Pete over a spate of break-andenters when a disturbing new report comes in. Twelveyear-old Kayleen Ellis has vanished from her home in Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter Valley.

Barefoot Kids By Scott Pape

Kids will roll up their sleeves, get their hands dirty, and learn the value of a buck the old fashioned way. Over six action-packed steps, Scott teaches kids why they should help around the house, how to get paid and save , and why they should use their give bucket to make a real difference to other people.

Bell is a cute little town just 30mins north-ish of Dalby on the Bunya Highway. It was established in 1906 as a railway line terminus. The town was part of the original Jimbour Station boundary and named after one of the Bell Family members. A lot of people would know it for the annual activities the Bell community hosts such as the races, show, art exhibition, and theatre restaurant. It's also popular as a day-trip destination. The drive out from Dalby is very picturesque and there's very good coffee when you get here! You can do a loop through Jandowae, Jimbour and Kaimkillenbun, on the way to the Bunya Mountains.

Pam is our Bell Librarian, and she's going to tell us a little about what makes Bell Library so special.

WHAT IS ON OFFER AT BELL LIBRARY?

We've got a bit of everything at Bell Library (from picture books to DVDs), but our collection reflects the interests of our borrowers. So, lots of mysteries and Australian fiction, as well as craft books! Like all the Western Downs Libraries branches, library members can reserve books from any branch and have them delivered to Bell for pickup. But my favourite thing about Bell Library is its location. It's just lovely to be able to look out the window at the gardens and listen to the birds. It's a very peaceful place to work.

WHAT MAKES BELL LIBRARY DIFFERENT?

Bell Library is special in Queensland because it operates as a partnership between the library and the Bell Bunya Community Centre Association. The library is staffed only seven hours per week but is accessible 28hours per week, Monday to Saturday, because the volunteers at the Centre open the library during the Centre hours. They keep an eye on the library for me whenever I'm not there, helping library customers with basic queries and putting them in touch with a Library staff member if they need help in a hurry.

Working At Western Downs Libraries

I started at Bell Library in January 2014, nine years ago now. I work two half-days here. On the other three days, I work over at Tara Library. I'm on the road a lot, commuting to work. I listen to a lot of audiobooks while I'm driving. Probably 50 a year - nearly one a week. Audiobooks are a lifesaver for me. I wouldn't have time to read books with all the travel I do, and that would make me sad. Audiobooks keep me reading even when I'm not using my eyeballs to do so!

I've worked in libraries for 21 years! I started out with the Dalby-Wambo Library Board back in early 2002, as a casual staff member. I moved away for full-time library work, but I've been back on the Western Downs for nearly a decade now.

Collection Recommendation

I've just finished Elizabeth Goddard's Never Let Go, Book 1 in the Uncommon Courage series. It stars a forensic genealogist - how intriguing! I love reading romantic suspense books that are uplifting and inspiring. Goddard's books are new to me, but I'll definitely be chasing up the rest of this series.

Bell Library Lovers

"Western Downs Regional Council built the building for the Bell Community Centre in 2012 with the objective of enhancing the social, economic and cultural enrichment of our rural town and region. Volunteers, members of the Community Centre, and Bell Librarian, Pam, have bonded together to bring out all the best things that the Library Services and Community Centre have to offer. This is mutual understanding of coming together in harmony, for the betterment of Bell and District.

I love Bell Library because of many things:

• The wonderful, knowledgeable, accommodating, creative, talented and gracious Bell librarian, Pam.

• The wonderful boutique collection of books, music, movies and magazines.

• The wonderful activities for children and adults.

• The wonderful author talks, workshops and events.

• The wonderful attraction of this education space in our very own Community Centre."

- Ruth Storey

I'll also read anything by Lindsay Buroker. Lindsay writes fantasy and science fiction. Her books have lots of witty and snarky banter between characters. Plus, she manages to work a dragon in some form into almost every book she's written.