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WHERE ARE WE NOW ?
The Friends continue to support the State Library as it always has, but it has became more difficult. In 2012 the Library withdrew funding so since then we have had to pay our Executive Officer’s salary. As our income is insufficient for that, we have to draw on members’ funds, and so have a steadily diminishing amount to support the Library. We now have some 400 members, 100 more than 20 years ago, but, sad to say, 200 fewer than in 2000. And, in common with many associations like ours, there are far fewer members aged under 50 than there were 16 years ago. The need to attract and keep younger members is an urgent problem\, made all the more difficult in that we now live in an electronic world of social media that had scarcely begun then. Most of our activities continue and our Australiana Publications remain the main source of revenue. Wednesdays at One brings an average audience of about 50, but the success of the literary excursions was due to the person who organized them and she left the Friends committee a decade ago. We also had an efficient publicity person, who is no longer with. The Friends Committee, is seeking new ways of raising funds, and though at present the outlook is grim, is cautiously optimistic about the future in the long term. WHERE HAVE WE COME FROM ?
Click to read the history of the Friends, as researched by Dr Alan Brissenden AM. DONATE TO THE FRIENDS
For over 80 years, The Friends has supported the State Library of Sth Aust by purchasing items that enhance and contribute to the Library’s collections. The Friends’ financial viability relies solely on memberships, donations and book sales. We no longer receive any funding from the government or the State Library. Please consider making a donation to assist the Friends in these tough economic times.
Or purchase some of our books as Gifts or donate to your local Library. We have over thirty (??) to choose from . All donations over $2 are fully Tax Deductible. Click on the button to donate today. We thank you for your support. 
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WHO ARE WE TODAY ?
The Friends are organized via a management Committee and four standing committees: Acquisitions, Membership, Publications, and Program.
The management Committee members are: PRESIDENT Mark Gilbert is a consulting engineer with a lifelong interest in books and history. He is a keen book collector and, in his spare time, binds and restores books. He was publisher of The Adelaide Review newspaper for 20 years, and owned the Wakefield Press for a period in the 1990s. VICE-PRESIDENT Dr. Patricia Michell is a general medical practitioner who has been active in many not-for-profit organizations for 40 years. With interests in health, education, history, heritage, and horticulture, she joined the Friends in 2006. She chaired the Board of the State Library of South Australia Foundation from 2008-2011. HONORARY SECRETARY Trevor Grant is a retired English teacher of 40 years’ experience in Toronto, London and locally. He spent his last 30 years at Pembroke School with great enjoyment. An avid reader, inveterate theatre-goer, opera buff, and traveller, he has never been as active now, in the absolute freedom of retirement. HONORARY TREASURER Mark Jeffreson is a Chartered Accountant with over 18 years in public practice gained locally, interstate and overseas. He has a keen interest in financial management and governance, and extensive experience in advising not-for-profit organizations. Mark has held the position of Honorary Treasurer since February 2013. MEMBERS Elizabeth Hambly, Immediate past President. an Honours French graduate, worked as the head of a school library and a French teacher for many years. Since joining the Friends on retirement she has been on the Australiana Publications sub-committee and the Program standing committee and was a guide at the State Library. Roger André has a keen interest in history and heritage and co-edits a local history journal. He joined the Friends while attached to the Mortlock Library of South Australiana where he was Senior Archivist until his retirement in 2001. In an earlier life he worked for nine years in Papua New Guinea. Alan Brissenden AM taught English at The University of Adelaide 1963-94, was the Friends’ President 1994-2000, edited Bibliofile 1997-2008, and now serves on the Australiana Publications sub-committee. A Shakespearian scholar and dance writer, he was a Governor of the Adelaide Festival of Arts 1981-94 and was made a member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1996 for services to the arts. Valmai Hankel AM PSM worked in the State Library of South Australia for 43 years. After retirement she increased her involvement with the Friends, becoming their first woman president. She is a regular speaker on radio and to groups, writes on wine and Australian explorers, and travels each year alone in the outback. Anthony Hurl Janie Williams Jane Walkley worked as a Public Librarian for 12 years and an Information Officer at Seniors Information Service for 11 years. She is now retired and has many interests, mainly bookish, walking and travelling. Her PhD was a study of language and imagination in the work of Wilson Harris. EX OFFICIO Alan Smith is the Director of the State Library of South Australia. Vini Ciccarello represents the Libraries Board of South Australia. Sue Ward represents the interests of the State Library collections. Carolyn Potts is the Executive Officer of the Friends. |
Image: Peter Fisher
