Books that find their way to Triabunna’s popular Pop Up Book Stall (PUBS) are not only satisfying avid readers, the money raised from their sale has resulted in a grant of $6500 to the Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania’s mobile dental clinic at May Shaw Health Centre, Swansea.
RFDS Tasmania Mobile Dental Care Program manager Nicole Henty said that the funds will be used to purchase an endodontic motor and handpiece which will allow the speed and accuracy of root canal procedures to improve, and in turn more patients will be able to access the free dental service.
“It’s amazing how this generous donation from a committed community group like PUBS can make such a big difference in so many ways”, Nicole said.
“Not only is PUBS a mecca for book lovers, the money it has raised will help the RFDS significantly enhance the dental services that we provide to the Glamorgan-Spring Bay community.”
The RFDS also provides physical and mental health care programs in the municipality.
PUBS is run by a team of 22 volunteers out of the Old Council Chambers in Vicory St every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday 11am-2.30pm. The popular stall is superbly organised and offers great variety with more than 4000 books for sale for as little as 50 cents.
PUBS manager Judy Mollineaux said that the grant to RFDS was the biggest single contribution it had made so far and brings the total grants gifted to community groups to more than $60,000.
She recalled the time when she and fellow book tragics Richard Wyllie and Jane Pollard came up with the concept in 2015 - they were thrilled to raise $100 from their first stall.
“The book stall popped up in various locations until February last year when we secured the permanent location in the old hall attached to the former council chambers,” Judy said.
“This has made a huge difference and people are coming from as far away as Launceston and Huonville and word is really getting around.
“This support means we have been able to give grants to the Anglican Church, Orford and Triabunna schools, Ambulance Tasmania volunteers, fire brigades at Triabunna and Buckland and the Suicide Prevention Network and many more essential community groups.”
