Millicent arson attack victims Peter and Anne Hughes cheerfully believe that more good than harm has come out the deliberate destruction of their roadside library a fortnight ago.


Unknown vandals set alight to their “stop and swap” depot which had been located for the past five years in a former display fridge at the front of their Williams Road home.


News of the attack quickly spread and hundreds of well-wishers took to social media to express their concern.


The couple also appreciated the many offers of books to replace the 80 which had been consumed by the flames.


The Millicent IGA supermarket donated a redundant display fridge while Quickmix provided the concrete for a larger base at no charge.


Peter used his wood-working talents to make a new “stop and swap” sign and a solar-powered light has been added.


“It would be good to have an artist to decorate the side panels,” Peter said.


“The library is now bigger and better.”


For Anne, the experience has been a bitter-sweet one.


She admits to being sad and disappointed by the arson attack but buoyed by the subsequent support of the community.


Her interest in a roadside library is due to being an avid reader.


“I love having a book in my hand, I do not like e-books or audio books,” Anne said.


“We have people from all over stop as we are listed on the Little Street Libraries social media page.


“When hundreds of cyclists in the Great Victorian Bike Ride came to Millicent in 2019, some stopped at the street library.


“Sometimes if people do not have a book to swap, they will leave behind a gift for us like hair products.”


The couple appreciate their street library assists reading and promotes Millicent to tourists.


As well as the street library, there are bags of pine cones and kindling for sale.


This venture generates pocket money and is undertaken by Anne and Peter’s grandchildren: Hunter, Dusty, Remi and Jimmy.


The street library is located about 200 metre south of Cull’s Corner where Williams Road meets Rendelsham Road.