In a world where minimalist lifestyles are hailed as the epitome of cool, there is a breed of rebels who defy the trend with unbridled enthusiasm – book hoarders – who proudly declare “I don’t have a book-buying problem; I have a bookshelf shortage problem!” 

As I attempt to commence packing to relocate interstate, I am quickly confronted by boxes and boxes of books. I have come to the realisation I am clearly in the ‘hoarder’ category. Some of these books I brought down from Queensland a decade ago and have never read or even re-opened again. I will dutifully repack these very books. I find myself questioning why one surrounds themselves with towering stacks of paper and ink when sleek e-readers promise to condense entire libraries into pocket-sized wonders?  

My book collection falls into three main categories: Professional Reading – leadership, education, and great speeches of world leaders; Leisure Reading – mostly romance novels for the summer holidays and my ‘How To’ collection, for my golf swing, running speed, general health, cooking skills, and saving more money.  

I was disappointed to read Malcolm Knox’s article in The Sydney Morning Herald over the weekend, where he outlined that Australia is undergoing one of the sharpest declines in reading in the developed world and is one of the countries doing the least about it. 

The most significant declines are noted amongst adults. The older we are, the more we read – yet since 2019, the older Australians are, the faster we are giving up reading. As noted by Knox “something is happening to the mature mind in this country.” 

According to the latest National Arts Participation Survey, older Australians reading books for pleasure has fallen from 77% to 68% in the past five years. This is measured by reading just one book a year. Whilst this may not sound like a lot, it is noted as the biggest decrease ever recorded in such surveys.  

From this year, coming of age in Germany is celebrated with a 200 ‘culture pass’, a voucher from the government to spend on theatre, music, film, or books! Also offered in France, with the unexpected result of up to 75% of the French vouchers spent on books. 

At our Annual Speech Night next Wednesday evening, I have resisted the urge of many schools to present enveloped certificates enclosed with vouchers. We will continue to honour the tradition of awarding our Speech Night Prize recipients with personally selected books from our Head of Library, Ms Anita Dammery. Ms Dammery’s selection is always beautifully tailored to the content matter of each subject or co-curricular activity. Every year, as I present these ribboned books to each student, I marvel at Anita’s patience to sort and select such a stunning collection of books.  

My one hope is that each Awardee will treasure their Book Prize, in memory of their School days and as a reminder of the recognition of their excellence, contribution, or commitment. Maybe they too will cart this book in boxes around the countryside.  

I take this opportunity to also encourage parents to re-engage with their reading over the forthcoming holidays – and if you are stuck for something to read, perhaps your daughter’s 2024 English novel will prove to be a conversation starter in the year ahead. 

Speech Night 

Next Wednesday 22 November our Senior School community will join together in the Dorothy Pizzey Hall for our annual Speech Night. 

This event provides a wonderful opportunity to share in the pride, excitement, and joy of acknowledging our students’ achievements throughout the year as a wider School community. 

For members of our Senior School community unable to attend in person, we are pleased to offer a live stream of the event, commencing at 6.30pm.  

To access the live stream, click on the link: 2023 Speech Night Live Stream