ALIA West

June 2005

ALIAWest 'evening of excellence' during Library and Information Week

A sparkling 'evening of excellence' was held on Monday 23 May in the City of Belmont Reception Room. A host of library personalities as well as City of Belmont Councillors, educators, two members of parliament and the finalists and recipients of two awards attended the cocktail party hosted by ALIAWest and the City of Belmont.

The ALIA Excellence Award was presented to Natasha Griggs for her work in establishing the 'Finding my place' program. The program, which is a partnership between the Ruth Faulkner Public Library in the City of Belmont and the Department of Education and Training, assists young people 15-19 yrs with different needs to mainstream students to remain in a learning environment. 'Finding my place' uses the public library as an alternative 'no stress' learning environment in which a series of 10 library-based workshops are held. The workshops are designed to motivate and engage students in activities that highlight their natural abilities.

Natasha Griggs winner of the ALIA Excellence Award

Natasha Griggs, Lijliana Ravlich, Yvonne Herft

Hon Liljianna Ravlich, Minister for Education and Training, announced that the state government considered the program so successful that it would be allocating further funds for the 'Finding my place' program to be extended to other areas throughout the state. Hon John Bowler, Minister for Local Government, spoke of the co-operation between local government and Department of Education and Training in encouraging this successful program.

Michaela Shepardson winner of the Technician's Award

Michelle Campbell 2004 Sharr Medallist

Michaela Shephardson and Michelle Campbell, finalists for the F A Sharr Medal, then enthusiastically spoke of the pleasure they now experience working in the library world. Dr Alison Gregg who gave us some personal reminiscences of her early years working with Ali Sharr, the first state librarian, awarded the F A Sharr Medal 2004 to Michelle Campbell. The Sharr Medal, awarded to the graduand who exhibits the most potential to have an impact on the library profession, is maintained by ALIAWest. The Sharr Medal 2004 was sponsored by Infovision

The final official event in this evening of excellence was the launch of the Click06 Conference website by Imogen Garner, the out-going ALIA President. Click06 is the ALIA Biennial Conference to be held in Perth next year, 19-22 September, 2006.

Jeanette Hill, ALIAWest treasurer 2005

Imogen Garner (ALIA president) and Deanne Barrett