Writing a book takes more time than envisaged. Our dear and active member Liz Edwards (above in the middle) initially began the mammoth task of collecting information in February 2013 by using past newsletter and minutes of the Murdoch Branch Committee Meetings and started to assemble the story in an orderly manner. Easy to say but much harder to do. Liz needed help and Lesleigh Curnow volunteered her time and Publisher expertise and they formed a very committed editorial team for our 25th anniversary book. The mammoth started to take shape – from little things big things grow.
Older members were interviewed by Liz and Lesleigh but because they tried to reach out to times where there was no Facebook nor blogging these sources were quite unreliable – memories fade very fast. Our current members were asked for their memories and stories too, however they provided little response until our Editorial Team started harassing people, seriously. It seems to be the most difficult part of putting an anniversary book together- extracting information from people on time. The last titbits went into the book just before printing. The interviewed members were also asked to write down their memorable moments with the branch, just a line or two, which proved useful to add more personal touches to the end product. Liz and Lesleigh also gathered as many photos as possible from members onto a CD for later selection. Many past and present presidents on Murdoch Branch shared their stories too:
Liz and Lesleigh worked on the book together for a couple of hours each week for about nine months. Once they had a rough draft the Executive committee for approached for comments and gave it their seal of approval. 150 copies were published and ready for the official launch. As the launch at the 2014 Annual General Meeting seemed to be too insignificant in relation to amount of effort put into this book Murdoch Branch decided to organize a Big Bang Book Launch.
We have produced a fantastic book with photos and stories of events over the period 1988-2013 called “Murdoch Branch 25 years of passion” and the special evening event was held on Friday 17 April 2015 at the Cockburn Wetlands Education Center to celebrate. Over 50 people attended the launch of the 25th Anniversary book. Many past Presidents of the Murdoch Branch and delegates from other Branches were getting their copies signed. This was an incredible night. Music was playing and different art works were on display. Champagne and wine flowed freely
and short speeches by present and past Members were given:
Stories were told and the good mood was felt by all.
Thanks to the representatives from the Cities of Cockburn and Melville who came along and enjoyed our celebrations. Big Thanks to Sallyanne Cousans for the brilliant photos of wildflowers, birds and other native fauna. Big thank to David Blair for the incredible metal sculptures of items such as plant leaves, boab trees, and a 3D painting on pressed tin by for sale:
And Noel McClumpha provided relaxing background music featuring some of his own compositions as well as folk ballads from artists such as John Denver.
And a big thank you to each and every contributor to the making of “Murdoch Branch 25 years of passion” Anniversary Book, and may the next 25 years be just as fruitful and enjoyable. Copies still available – come and visit us.
