Public library quietly starts new chapter

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Public library quietly starts new chapter

The 60th anniversary of the Millicent Public Library passed with little fanfare other than a free raffle.


It was opened in 1964 in a room at the rear of the council chambers.


State Education Minister Sir Baden Pattison officiated at the ceremony as Millicent became one of the first country towns to have a free library.


The facility was noteworthy as Millicent had a fee-paying institute library since 1884.


It was also known as the Williams Library in honour of the local family who had a long association over successive generations with its committee.


In essence, the Institute also served as the Millicent Town Hall as it was the venue for performances and movies until gutted by fire in 1964.


It was rebuilt with shops, offices and a library reading room.


Millicent had two libraries until 1988 when the Institute building was sold and converted to offices now known as Turner Duldig Hamilton Accountants.


When a purpose-built public library was built in 1991, the glass front doors from the Institute were incorporated into the facility.


Furthermore, a plaque with this wording was placed at the front door.


“The plaque commemorates the contribution made the by the Millicent Institute Incorporated to the communities of Millicent and surrounding Districts through its library and civic hall from 1884 to 1988.”

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