‘Bumper’ fundraiser tipped

Booked out . . . Karen Briscoe with her arms full of books which have been donated for next month’s Bookarama. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The Waimate Historical Society is ramping up preparations for its annual Bookarama fundraiser.

Office co-ordinator Karen Briscoe said organisers were accepting donations of books and puzzles for the event, along with items for the white elephant stall.

In the past — along with books — the society had been given bric-a-brac, vintage tapestries, and vege seedlings grown by local school children.

‘‘The bake sale is always a favourite, with home-made fruit loaves and packs of cheese rolls disappearing very quickly on Saturday morning.’’

‘‘It’s looking set to be a bumper year with stock numbers, and at least one brand new category of books.’’

The event generally raised about $15,000 for the society each year.

Money raised would be used for everything from protecting and maintaining the museum’s collections and buildings, to bigger projects such as digitising its collection of many thousands of local photographs and records.

‘‘Bookarama is our primary fundraising drive of the year and the money raised is vital in keeping our museum, archives and family history research facilities running.’’

Bookarama will be held at the Ron Hutt Machinery Hall in Waimate from October 26-31, from 10am to 4pm.

Eftpos will be available on site. Queries can be directed to the museum at (03) 689-7832 or email [email protected]