I have just returned from a trip to Shanghai and Nanjing presenting books gifted to Shanghai and Nanjing libraries by 49 Australian children’s authors.
Mark Wang, Deputy Chairman of the Museum of Chinese Australian History organised the ‘Finding Gold’ Exhibition for Shanghai World Expo 2010. This exhibition shows the history of the Chinese on the Victorian goldfields in the 1800s and is presently being held in the Shanghai Library. It will then travel to Nanjing, Tianjin and Guangzhou.
As part of a cultural exchange, Mark, who also happens to be my brother, asked me to contact other children’s authors to see if they would like to gift their books to Shanghai and Nanjing libraries. Nanjing is the capital of Jiangsu province, Victoria and Jiangsu are sister states so Nanjing Library was also chosen to receive the books. There was a huge response from children’s authors across Australia.
Here I am with the Premier of Victoria, John Brumby and Deputy Director of Shanghai Library, Professor Zhou Deming as I present the library with one of the presentation catalogues. In the front of the catalogue is a message from Peter Batchelor, Minister for the Arts, followed by a page on each of the authors who donated their books. A copy of this catalogue will be on display in Melbourne at the Museum of Chinese Australian History when it reopens in July. It is presently under renovation.
MESSAGE FROM THE MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
The Government of Victoria is delighted to support the Melbourne-based Museum of Chinese Australian Historys participation in Shanghai World Expo 2010, and warmly endorses the Finding Gold exhibition hosted by Shanghai Library, forming part of the Victoria Week Cultural Program at World Expo 2010.
The Museum of Chinese Australian Historys participation in Shanghai World Expo 2010 provides a significant opportunity
to profile the history of the Victorian goldfields in the nineteenth century.
I also warmly congratulate the Museums initiative in presenting a gift to Shanghai Library of works by 49 childrens authors,
together with this presentation catalogue.
Peter Batchelor MP Minister for the Arts
Victoria Australia May 2010
LIST OF AUSTRALIAN AUTHORS WHO GIFTED THEIR BOOKS
Randa Abdel-Fattah, Deborah Abela, Goldie Alexander, Krista Bell, Wendy Blaxland, Mark Carthew, Chris Cheng, Margaret Clarke
Paul Collins, D. M. Cornish, Meredith Costain, Cath Crowley, Teresa Culkin Lawrence, Hazel Edwards, Corinne Fenton, Jackie French
Sandy Fussell, Marjorie Gardner, Katrina Germein, Suzanne Gervay, Morris Gleitzman, Cassandra Golds, D. C. Green, Sheryl Gwyther
Christine Harris, Libby Hathorn, Rosanne Hawke, Sally Heinrich, Don Henderson, Greg Holfeld, George Ivanoff, Margo Lanagan
Foz Meadows, Kierin Meehan, Chrissie Michaels, Glenda Millard, David Millar, Kirsty Murray, Wendy Orr, Michael Pryor, Sally Rippin
Anne Spudvilas, Ruth Starke, Shaun Tan, Gabrielle Wang, Dee White, Sue Whiting, Carole Wilkinson.
Shanghai Library has a huge section on Australia, around 4000 books I was told, and is the largest library in China and one of the largest in the world. In 1847, shortly after Shanghai opened its door to the world as a port city, the Library of the Xu Jiahui Jesuit Mission was founded. It had a collection of 200,000 volumes in both Chinese and Western languages. There’s more about the ‘Finding Gold’ Exhibition on the Shanghai Library’s website
Mark and I also travelled to Nanjing to present the books and the presentation catalogue to the Nanjing Library. As you can see, it’s a stunning building.
As one of the authors who donated a book, I’d like to say thanks for organising such a fantastic project. I am proud and honoured to be part of it.
It was a pleasure George and thank you for your generosity.
Also very honoured to be part of this. Thanks for thinking of me Gabrielle.
Thanks from me too, Gabi. It is a fantastic project.
Cath
Hi Gabi, welcome home. I too am honoured to have been a part of this project. Thanks for the opportunity.
As one of the authors whose books was included, I’m very grateful to Gabrielle for acting on behalf of Australian creators. And since I was recently in Nanjing as a cultural exchange author with the Aust-Nanjing Cultural Exchange Centre it has special significance.Thanks Gabi .Ps You looked great in the photo too!
Hi Gabrielle and Mark
Thanks for the opportunity to share in such a wonderful cultural exchange program. I am very grateful and proud to be associated with this. My brother is visiting Shanghai soon and will be visiting the library!
Best wishes
Chrissie Michaels