The doors closed to the Lifeline Bookfest on Sunday January 22 and we have spent the week packing up and counting our pennies. We're proud to announce the January 2012 Bookfest raised $900,000.
Funds raised from the Lifeline Bookfest support Lifeline’s 24-hour Crisis Support line, suicide prevention and bereavement programs and other community services in Brisbane and broadly throughout Queensland.
Bookfest Coordinator Roy Frith said although we did not hit the target of $1 million (previous target reached January 2010), the funds raised will go a long way to helping those who need an extra hand.
“If we can raise $900,000 every January, we’re securing the sustainability of our services to the community,” Roy said.
“As usual, we had many enthusiastic customers who kept coming back day after day – it’s so great to see them every year.
“The event works because the community loves getting a bargain and they love giving back; at the Bookfest, they can do both,” he said.
The Lifeline Bookfest is a long-standing successful event not just because of the customers, but because of all the hands that come together to make it happen.
“We have hundreds of volunteers who sort, stack, price, unpack, pack, staff cash registers and do everything in between,” Roy said.
“Without them, the event wouldn’t be possible. A huge thank you goes out to each and every person who helped at the event and behind the scenes,” he said.
The Lifeline Bookfest team would like to thank our sponsor 612ABC, the shoppers, the volunteers and everyone who donated a book!
The next Bookfest will be held in June 2012. Volunteering opportunities are available. To register your interest, please email volunteer [at] uccommunity [dot] org [dot] au or call 3632 1017. All Bookfest updates will be posted on this website. Stay tuned for the June dates!
Even further discounts will be provided on Sunday (keep an eye on this website and the facebook & twitter pages for updates!).
What
The universe’s largest second-hand booksale!
Why
The Lifeline Bookfest raises much-needed funds for Lifeline Brisbane's free 24-hour Crisis Counselling Telephone Line, free face-to-face counselling services, and support programs for women, children and families.
When
January 14 - Jan 22
Weekends (Sat & Sun): 8:30am - 7:30pm
Weekdays (Mon - Fri): 8:30am - 5:00pm
Where
The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Merivale St, South Brisbane
How to get there
The Lifeline Bookfest is held in Exhibition Halls 3 and 4 of the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Merivale Street, South Brisbane.
For a fee, parking is available beneath the Convention Centre or alternatively you can catch a QR Citytrain to South Brisbane Station or catch a bus to the Cultural Centre Bus Stop.
Call TransInfo on 13 12 30 or visit www.transinfo.qld.gov.au for more information on public transport to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Apart from giving people the opportunity to grab a great book from as little as 50 cents, the Lifeline Bookfest also raises much-needed funds for free counselling and support services in Brisbane.
From humble beginnings, the event now brings in around one-third of Lifeline Brisbane's self-funded income (the majority of profits coming from the sale of second-hand clothes in Lifeline Shops).
These funds help Lifeline Brisbane enhance the lives of children, families and individuals in our community by delivering relevant, accessible counselling and support programs. Some of the support services we provide are:
The Lifeline Bookfest is divided into three sections - High Quality, Priced and Unpriced.
High Quality contains near new and quality stock, as well as rare and collectable books. All books are priced inside the cover.
The Priced section contains a fantastic range of books of medium quality. These books are also priced inside the cover.
The Unpriced section contains more of the 'well-thumbed' books and is where some of the best bargains can be found! The books in this section are not priced individually but will be priced at the checkouts.
Categories
Within each section, books are divided into over 20 categories:
Children's; Australiana; History; Reference; Humour and Oddities; Biography; Literature and Classics; Textbooks; Travel; Health; Science Fiction; Hardback Fiction; Art and Music; Paperback Fiction; Cooking; Computers; Religion; Foreign Language; Vehicles and War Craft; Hobbies; Sport; Gardening; Animals; Penguins and Pelicans; Economics; Sociology; Philosophy; and Science.
In addition to books, each section carries a range of magazines, stationary, videos, CDs, cassettes and records.
The High Quality and Priced sections are located in Hall 4, with the Unpriced section taking up all of Hall 3.
Please Note: Your books must be paid for and bags sealed before moving onto other sections. This is required as a security measure. The plastic bags used are biodegradable and recycle bins will be available if you would like to transfer your purchase into a green bag on your way out. Green bags will be available for purchase.
For media enquiries, contact Lifeline Communications & Fundraising Officer anna-maria [dot] masci [at] lccq [dot] org [dot] au (Anna Masci) on 3250 1848 or 0408 751 831.
January, 2011
Over $620,000 made on Bookfest opening weekend and more books to be unpacked
Back to School is cheap and unique with the Lifeline Bookfest
June, 2010
Award-Winning Bookfest opens June 12
Lifeline Bookfest outgrown its home
June, 2010
Award-Winning Bookfest opens June 12
Lifeline Bookfest outgrown its home
Expert insight from a Bookfest volunteer
January, 2010
Lifeline Bookfest an award-winning event
Lifeline Bookfest an award-winning event
Man volunteers for his 40th birthday
Each event, over 400 volunteers help to make the Lifeline Bookfest happen, covering roles from sorting and pricing to packing and operating the registers. With over 2 million books for sale in 2009, let’s band together, raise funds for Lifeline and help defend the planet from a couple of knowledge-thirsty aliens!
To volunteer call Anastasia on 3250 1927 or e-mail our volunteer [at] lccq [dot] org [dot] au (Volunteeer Management Team).
Check out the video below to meet some of our amazing Bookfest volunteers.
We wouldn’t have a Bookfest if it wasn’t for all the generous folk in Brisbane willing to share their knowledge! It is your generosity that makes the Lifeline Bookfest such a success.
Lifeline Brisbane receives donations of books all year round. They flood in through the blue Lifeline donation bins that are scattered across Brisbane.
If you would like to donate books to the Lifeline Bookfest, you can take them to your nearest Lifeline bin or Lifeline shop.
Lifeline also offers a free pick up service for large donations, including donations of books. If you would like to clean out your shelves and help keep the Bookfest cycle going, call Lifeline to arrange a pick-up on 3632 1010 or alternatively call 3632 1000 to find your nearest Lifeline bin.
Why wait until the Bookfest to pick up a bargain? Lifeline has around 50 shops in and around Brisbane that specialise in clothes, furniture, collectables, high-quality products - even books!
So don’t wait for the next Bookfest to roll around, pop into a Lifeline Shop and pick up what you need at a great price.
Lifeline stores are scattered all around Brisbane, so there’s one close to you. Check out our Lifeline Shops page to find out where you’ll be buying your next bargain.
SponsorsThe Lifeline Bookfest is kindly supported by 612 ABC Brisbane. The ABC radio station is working with the Lifeline Bookfest to help save our knowledge and save the planet from world domination. They recognise the importance of human knowledge and will transmit over the airways Bookfest news to all of Brisbane’s earthlings. In an important time like impending world domination, make sure you have your wireless radio and a spare pair of batteries - and make sure it’s tuned into 612 ABC Brisbane!
All proceeds from the Lifeline Bookfest go towards Lifeline Brisbane’s free 24-hour Crisis Counselling Line and free counselling and support programs for women, children and families. Due to the generosity of the Brisbane community and their sheer love of books, the Bookfest has grown each year. At Lifeline Brisbane we’re always looking for ways local businesses can support the Bookfest so we can grow even more.
The Lifeline Bookfest sees over 100,000 people through the door and consequently can offer some great opportunities for your business while you support a vital service to the community. To discuss how you can support the Lifeline Bookfest, contact our Commmunications & Fundraising Manager Elissa Jenkins on 3250 1966 or elissa [dot] jenkins [at] lccq [dot] org [dot] au (send her an email).
The excitement behind the Lifeline Bookfest is contagious and it’s been a proven winner with the public since its inception in 1989. Approximately 150,000 people go to every Bookfest - the potential exposure for your organisation is out of this world!
Sponsorship of the Lifeline Bookfest is certainly is a win-win partnership, with many promotional opportunities available to your organisation depending on the level of commitment.
For more information, please see the documents below:
Lifeline Bookfest Sponsorship - for media
Lifeline Bookfest Sponsorship - general
Feedback on the event
We're always striving to make the Lifeline Bookfest better each time round. We'd love your feedback on some ideas that will make the event more enjoyable for you. Call 3632 1000 or email talkingtogether [at] uccommunity [dot] org [dot] au
Information on the Bookfest
For more information about the Lifeline Bookfest email PR [dot] Brisbane [at] lccq [dot] org [dot] au (Lifeline Brisbane) or phone 3632 1000.
Volunteer enquiries
For volunteer enquiries please visit the Volunteer page.
Media enquiries
For media enquiries please contact Anna Masci on 3250 1848 or 0408 751 831.
Lifeline’s pick-up service
To make use of Lifeline's free pick up service for large donations, including donations of books, please phone 3632 1010.
If experiencing a crisis, call Lifeline's 24-hour Crisis Counselling Line: 13 11 14.
