Well, what an event that was!! We started with the “Early Bird” opening on Wednesday 4th October 12 noon to 6pm. The first dealers arrived at 8.30am and were given disc numbers 1 2 and 3 which gave them the right to be first in the door at 12 noon. Behind them was a long line of other eager buyers some dealers and some members of the public keen to find that special book or two also having numbered discs. This method ensured that entry to the event was carried out in an orderly fashion. This year we increased the entry fee from $20 to $25 with very little comment from customers
The committee also decided that it was time to increase our prices a little with the major one to increase the price of nonfiction from $3 to $4 and increase the puzzles from $3 to $5. Again, this was met with very little comment
As in previous years we offered free entry for the remaining days being 9am to 6pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 9am to close at 3pm on Sunday. Sunday was a half price day and from 1pm we offered a carton load of books for $10.This really helped move a lot of stock which helped with the big clean up
This year the committee felt that we needed to spread some of the hard work beyond the help of Coastguard so Pakuranga tennis club were approached. For an agreeable donation they agreed to help us particularly on the days of the “Big Shift” of stock on the 27th September from Ray White in Uxbridge Road and with the “Big Clean Up” on the 8th October
We also approached Placemakers Pakuranga to see if they would be interested in providing some space to set up a sorting depot. Their response was overwhelmingly positive and so began a first-class relationship with them which will continue into the future. The ability to store sorted stock at Placemakers and then receiving their offer to deliver the stock to Somerville Int on the 27th September was just incredible. We organized their delivery at 12 noon and the Coastguard-Pakuranga Tennis Club delivery from Ray White Uxbridge Rd midafternoon. A very busy day with excellent community support
The “Big Clean Up” at 3pm on Sunday was an incredible effort. Within the short space of 1 hour the gymnasium was almost back to how we found it the day we took it over.
Again, Bookarama was a financial success. Participation from almost all members was hugely appreciated by the committee. There is no doubt that Bookarama 2023 has again been a “Must Go To” event in Howick.
I would like to thank my committee of Carole Ansley, Glenice Yeoman, Steve Lines, Colin Monk, Rob Mouncey and John Savory for their tremendous effort and support in the months leading up to the event. It has been very hard work for all of us but as always, the satisfaction of achieving such a good result makes it very satisfying.
The committee and the Rotary Club of Howick extends a huge thankyou to the many retailer depots, Coastguard, Placemakers, Pakuranga Tennis Club and the community for helping and making Bookarama 2023 such a huge success. The money raised will continue to allow us to support many organizations and individuals that so much need support
Thankyou
Geoff Thompson Convenor Bookarama 2023
