What would Jane say? Who would she prefer as Mr Darcy? Colin Firth or Mathew Macfadyen? This week marks the 200th anniversary of Pride and Prejudice being published – Jane Austen’s classic love story about Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy. It’s incredible we are still talking about the novel today but film and TV versions have certainly helped like Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle in the BBC adaptation and Mathew Macfadyen and Keira Knightley in 2005 film version. 

And read Helen Garner’s comment on the Austen phenomenon at the SMH:  http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/books/pride-and-joy-20130124-2d82c.html And here’s an interesting take on it all from the UK: http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/28/our-200-year-love-affair-with-elizabeth-bennet-3368732/ The best way to celebrate is to read the book! Or watch the film and TV versions…. Enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who joined in the storytelling fun of our Summer Reading Club Finale.  Children read out their new endings for classic fairytales and we’ll feature them right here on our blog.  First up is a gourmet end for the famous egg on the wall…………

Humpty Dumpty

So we know the fate of Humpty Dumpty but there’s a different ending rather than the one we all know…..so after he fell and all the kings men could put him back together, but the reason he fell was because the egg was trying to escape from prison.  The egg was left on the ground, his yolk running from his head with blood, as people walked by they added ingredients to his yolk and stirred him together to make the world’s largest omelette.  And then they left it to cook in the sun. After he was cooked to perfection they ate him.  So from then Humpty Dumpty haunted all those who ate him except for his best friend – Puss in Boots.

By Steph Age 12

Happy Australia Day everyone! Yes we are a bit early, but wanted to remind you Central West Libraries will be closed Saturday 26 January, Sunday 27 January and Monday 28 January for the holiday weekend.

 The popular exhibition There’s A War On! World War II at Home is on show at Orange City Library until Friday 25 January. It’s been a popular display and the local content, newsreels and items have attracted plenty of interest. People have until Friday 25 January to see the display supported by Museums and Galleries NSW.  Then we make way for our science display from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute.

Bushranger Ned Kelly is being buried today in Greta, Victoria at the same cemetery where his beloved mother Ellen lies. A private funeral is being held after his body was officially identified in a mass prison grave. Kelly was hanged for murder following a dramatic showdown with police in 1880 at Glenrowan VIC where he wore home-made metal armour. Read more…