On the road with Australia's Children's Laureate

Boori had already spent some time in North Queensland speaking at the School Library Association of Queensland biennial conference in Cairns as well as conducting a radio interview that morning with ABC Far North Queensland to promote his role; then it was on a plane to Normanton to start his Gulf road trip!

After a quick welcome at the Airport and drop-off of bags at his lodgings, it was off to the Normanton Sports Centre for a 'meet and greet' and allowed Boori the opportunity to rekindle his basketball skills - did you know that Boori played competitive basketball in his youth, including a stint in the Victorian Basketball League? Our daughter Emily joined the Normanton children who were all keen to take on Boori in an 'around the world' basketball shoot-out. 

Next day, we were setting up for Boori's session at the Normanton Library which is located in the former Burns, Philp & Co Stores - Burns, Philp & Co were originally shipping merchants who expanded into general merchants, importers, shipping agents, etc. across Queensland with stores in most major centres in the North, including Townsville, Cairns, Charters Towers and Normanton. The company also had interests in mining, timber, pastoral enterprises, wool, tourism, pearling and later banking and insurance. The former stores building is heritage listed and now serves as the Tourist Information Centre with the Council Library sharing the space. 

 The cold weather kept many people indoors at Normanton, however Boori had a small but enthusiastic audience, including several tourists who dropped into the Library and Information Centre. Tonia, the local school Principal, took the opportunity to have Boori sign his books from the Normanton State School Library.

 Renee was someone who did brave the cold to listen to Boori's stories - she especially liked his latest story 'Shake a Leg', which will be turned into a TV series; a sequel is already being planned.

The Croydon group were thoroughly entertained with Boori's storytelling, didj playing and dance - the group learnt some basic 'shake a leg' moves including animal actions. This was followed by a Q&A session with a difference - Boori went around the group asking them to ask a question! The time went very quickly and soon it was time for morning tea under the trees; Diane the Librarian organised a wonderful cake featuring the cover of one of Boori's books - 'Njunjul the sun'.