FLOODED BRASSALL SCHOOL BACK ON ITS FEET

Chris Cheng showing flood level marker in library

 Many Queenslanders suffered in last January's devastating floods, including one of the schools who came to the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature. 

Volunteers sorting new books

Brassall State Primary School

Brassall State Primary School sits not far from Mihi Creek. At the height of the flood, some buildings were submerged up to the ceilings, others were only up to the windows, while only one block was high enough to escape any damage.

The rotting aftermath

When the floodwaters receded, the community with the aid of the army took weeks to clean up the stinking silt, garbage and driftwood.
One of the most devasting sights were the piles of rotting, mushy library books being scooped up in the buckets of graders and dumped. 

Inside the library

I visited Brassall State School last week and talked to librarians and volunteers who were still covering and indexing the many thousands of new books bought with Government funding in their new library.

So it was lovely that the kids from Brassall State School made it to 
the Ipswich Festival this year.

Last day at Woodlands

It's another beautiful day at Woodlands as we countdown to the finish line at the Ipswich Festival of Children's Literature with only the Esk State School's Mini Writers' Festival tomorrow left.
Another 300 hundred school children rolled on to the Woodlands' site today and things were humming.


Today's line-up of authors, illustrators and storytellers included Michael Salmon, Aleesah Darlison, Clare McFadden, Meredith Costain, Lesley Reece, Sarah Davis, Leigh Hobbs, Tanya Batt, Sally Rippin, Kerry Brown, Michelle Pike, Chris Cheng and Lynelle Westlake.


Here're some of the images from today.

One of the many faces of storyteller, Tanya Batt

Sarah Davis captures the attention of squirmy Preps from Coominya State School.

Lesley Reece enthralls Years 2-3 with the story of 'Wolf's Sunday Dinner'.

Mr Peacock finally displays his finery when I have the camera with me.

The Book Garden's shop on site - better than a Lolly Shop (Candy Store).

Meredith Costain and her merry band of pirates.

Michael Salmon and the story of Bobo.

(Ed: Sorry for missing a post yesterday, I picked up the dreaded lurgy - a hazard when working with kids.)

And more presenters at the Festival...

Chris Cheng - author 

Clare McFadden - author and illustrator 

Deb Abela - author 

Tracy Roper - author

Tanya Batt - author 

Susanne Gervay - author 

Sue Whiting - author