Over 60 young people attended the Youth Week event “Speaking out LOUD” on Friday 17 April at Wellington Library. Mission Australia kicked off the event with games in Cameron Park outside, and there was a free BBQ dinner before everyone came inside to where a DJ was already raising the volume to above normal library levels. Lyndon House then gave away footballs as prizes in a competition for who could pass a football while wearing Beer Goggles, which gave young people a chance to think about how drinking alcohol can affect coordination. The Open Mic was hugely popular with ten performances from local youth including comedy, ballads and an original rap. Fruit, hot chocolate and prizes were available thanks to a generous donation from Wellington Woolworths. A big thank you to these participating organisations and everyone who supported the event, including: Wellington Information and Neighbourhood Services (WINS), Wellington Aboriginal Corporation Health Service (WACHS), Community Drug Action Team (CDAT), Wellington Council, The Wellington Times, Binjang Community Radio, Barnardos, Rachael Sears from Wellington High School and especially Maree Thomas from Communities for Children.

Expert advice on becoming a mother

Some new arrivals at the library may be the perfect thing to help you with your new arrival. To keep healthy, well balanced and fit during pregnancy, James Duigan’s Clean & Lean Pregnancy Guide will steer you in the direction of optimum wellbeing before, during and after your pregnancy. Gentle yoga exercises, diet advice, tips from experts and endorsement from celebrities are all packaged into this attractive and easy to read guide. For a more in-depth, textbook style guide, Nutrition & Lifestyle for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding offers both scientific and clinical information about the biology of motherhood. Recognising Postnatal Depression: A Handbook for Mothers is another very useful book with 9 true stories from those who have been through and survived postnatal depression as well as need to know information which could benefit not only mothers but fathers, family and concerned community members. These are now available for loan at Wellington Library.

Planning a trip or just daydreaming?

If you want to get started planning your dream holiday, the library can be a much more relaxing way to find information than the internet. With a range of books available with pictures and facts on different countries, including recent travel guides and cultural information, browsing through the collection can allow you to process the pros and cons before you make the financial commitment. The most recent additions are an Eyewitness Travel Guide to Europe and Fodor’s Travel: Hawaii 2015. Maps, photographs, fast facts, estimated prices and accommodation suggestions are all included and can be extremely helpful in deciding whether to stretch out on the beach in West Maui, hit a birdie on Coral Creek Golf Course or go on a Kauai Sightseeing Tour.

Macquarie Regional Library, Wellington Branch, is located on the corner of Maughan and Percy Streets, Wellington.

Phone: 6845 2156

Website: www.mrl.nsw.gov.au