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Longbourn at the Library: A 6-Week Watch Party!
Escape the Winter chill with Pride & Prejudice
Cessnock Library | Wednesday 11 June – Wednesday 16 July, 5.30-6.30pm
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This winter, Cessnock Library invites locals to indulge in the romance and cleverness of Jane Austen through an exciting six-week watch party series: "Longbourn at the Library." Kicking off on Wednesday 4 June, book lovers and period drama fans can come together weekly to enjoy the cherished BBC adaptation of Pride & Prejudice, accompanied by warm beverages and wonderful company.
Leave behind the dreariness of winter and step into the enchanting realm of the Bennet sisters, the enigmatic Mr. Darcy, and the social nuances of Regency England. Each week, we will screen an episode of the iconic BBC mini-series, giving attendees the chance to dive deep into the themes of love, class, and societal expectations.
What better way to celebrate Jane Austen's 250th birthday year.
Regency attire is optional!
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Our tech Savvy Seniors workshops with Harry from Seniors, Tech & Tea are held at both Kurri Kurri Library & Cessnock City Library.
All your favourite topics are included: smartphones, laptops, video calls, seniors' cards, transport apps, online safety, tablets, iPads, smart assistants, and more!
There is also general Q&A time at each session to ask Harry anything about tech. Visit Cessnock or Kurri Kurri Library to grab a program or click the image to see the full program.
Alternatively, call us (4993 4399 for Cessnock & 4937 1638 for Kurri Kurri) and the team at the front desk can also help you with booking. |
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Join us for a special evening with Uncle Warren Taggart, a respected Wonnarua Elder and teacher of Aboriginal culture. Uncle Warren will discuss his captivating book, Spirit of Place: Aboriginal Sites of the Hunter Region, a powerful record of the cave shelters, rock engravings, and significant landmarks cherished by the Wonnarua, Darkinung, Awabakal, and Dharug peoples.
Listen as Uncle Warren shares personal stories about his cultural journey, the wisdom passed down by his father, and his profound connection to Country. Discover the meaning behind the ancient art, the importance of Dreaming, and the ancestral presence that resonates within these sacred sites.
Free event. Bookings essential. |
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The best FREE family history resources - that you've never heard of!
Jointly presented with the Cessnock Family History Group
Cessnock Library | Monday 11 August, 10.00am-12.00pm
Uncover Hidden Family History Treasures!
Tired of the same genealogy resources? The Cessnock Family History Group and Cessnock Library invite you to discover the best FREE family history resources you've never heard of!
Many vital records aren't online or are buried on lesser-known websites. Unearth these hidden gems at our special presentation.
Free event. Bookings essential. |
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Alyssa J. Montgomery is a superstar of the romance world, taking it by storm with her international best-sellers! Come indulge in a delightful evening filled with cake, steaming hot drinks, and a fabulous chat about her writing journey and her latest release.
"Return to Hope Creek" tells the story of Stella, who returns to her rural hometown to heal after a career-ending accident, only to find her old flame, ex-NFL star Mitchell Scott, has also returned. Can they overcome past heartbreak and find love again amidst new complications?
Don't miss this opportunity to meet Alyssa, a Central Queensland native and former Cessnock local and Speech-Language Pathologist who now balances a busy private practice with her passion for writing romance.
Free event. Bookings essential. |
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Beauty, Bounty, and Butterflies: Create Your Habitat Garden!
Kurri Kurri Library | Tuesday 2 September, 5.00pm-6.30pm
Join Maree McCarthy, Nature's Magic Gardens founder, and discover how to transform your backyard into a thriving ecosystem!
Learn to:
Choose native, low-water plants
Build a 'Food Forest'
Attract pollinators and butterflies
Create a resilient, beautiful garden that supports biodiversity
Give back to nature, one backyard at a time!
Free event. Bookings essential. |
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Designing Your Best Life After Work
Kurri Kurri Library | Thursday 4 September, 10.30am-12.00pm
Designing Your Best Life After Work Starts Now! Is retirement on the horizon? Join Margo Blacklaw & Anne Silver for a transformative workshop where you'll create a blueprint for a fulfilling and vibrant post-work life. You'll:
Understand your current landscape: what's working and what's not.
Discover exciting new possibilities through inspiring retiree stories.
Build a supportive "tribe" to nurture your well-being.
Create a personalized Action Plan with clear goals and steps.
Leave this workshop motivated and empowered to live your best life after work!
Free event. Bookings essential. |
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Discover the Magic of Harmonious Gardening
Cessnock Library | Thursday 25 September, 5.00-6.30pm
Harmonious Gardening: Grow Food, Support Wildlife!
Learn from ecologist and garden designer Maree McCarthy (Nature's Magic Gardens) how to create productive vegetable gardens that nurture pollinators and wildlife.
You'll Discover How To:
Design a Food Forest for your family and local ecosystem.
Attract bees, butterflies, & dragonflies.
Use natural methods for disease prevention.
Create a thriving, low-maintenance wildlife habitat that boosts your harvest!
Beginner or expert, Maree will inspire you to grow a garden that feeds your body, soul, and the planet!
Free event. Bookings essential.
Grow with purpose! Reserve your spot and reconnect with the wild side of food.
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Trove Workshop
Cessnock Library | Thursday 13 November, 10.00am-12.00pm
Unlock Australian (and Local) History from Your Couch!
Curious about exploring historic Australian newspapers from the 1800s to the mid-1950s, all from the comfort of your own home? Then this workshop is for you!
If you're not familiar with Trove, it's a fantastic free digital library run by the National Library of Australia. Think of it as a treasure trove (pun intended!) of Australian history, packed with newspapers, photos, maps, and much more.
Already a Trove user? Do you love it or loathe it? Can you find what you're looking for easily, or do you get overwhelmed by endless search results?
Get the answers you need at our FREE "Using Trove" workshop! Local Studies Librarian, Archivist, and Historian Kimberly O'Sullivan will guide you through everything you need to know. Whether you're a complete beginner or already using Trove, this workshop will help you become a Trove pro!
Don't miss out on this opportunity to unlock the secrets of Trove and dive into Australian history! Free event. Bookings essential. |
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Join us at Cessnock Library on for a delightful exploration of the purr-fect pairing: writers and their feline muses! Literary historian and lecturer Susannah Fullerton will bring to life the special bond between celebrated authors and their beloved cats, revealing the inspiring roles these furry companions played in shaping classic poems, novels, and stories. Discover fascinating anecdotes about Dr. Johnson's Hodge, Robert Southey's Rumpelstilzchen, Edward Lear's Foss, and many more literary cats who provided joy, solace, and endless inspiration.
Susannah Fullerton is Sydney's most highly regarded literary historian, known for her engaging and insightful lectures that bring the lives and works of great writers to life. You'll feel as though she knew them all personally and is introducing you to her friends! Books will be available for sale and signing after the presentation. This is a free event, but bookings are essential. Find out more about Susannah at susannahfullerton.com.au
Free event. Bookings essential. |
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Blokes Book Club at Cessnock Library!
Are you a bloke who enjoys reading and discussing books? Cessnock Library is starting a book club just for you!
We're looking for like-minded guys to gather, share ideas, and enjoy some quality conversation. Expect great company, thoughtful discussions, and a few good laughs.
Interested? Email Andrew atlibrary@cessnock.nsw.gov.au
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Cessnock City Library is thrilled to offer library card holders free access to NewsBank, a vast digital newspaper collection! You can explore full-text articles from publications like The Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, and Newcastle Herald from home or at the library.
Beyond today's headlines, NewsBank provides in-depth research capabilities including access to historical archives. Local history buffs will be excited to explore the Cessnock Advertiser back to 2001. Enjoy flexible viewing with text-only or high-resolution scanned pages. Prefer to browse at the library? Borrow an iPad at either branch and connect easily through the Hublet station. Watch our quickvideoon how to get started with NewsBank. |
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