Birdwood Institute

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Birdwood Institute

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The Friends of Birdwood Institute manages the Birdwood Institute The Institute is available for hire, please contact Matt on 08 8568 5039.

Birdwood Institute is located in Birdwood, South Australia, approximately 50 km NE from Adelaide. Community events such as the Birdwood Bazaar, film nights and dance and yoga classes are regularly held at the Institute.

28/10/2026

A generous donor has given the Book Shed a beautiful 32 volume set of Encyclopaedia Britannica. These are in as new condition and would look lovely on any bookcase. They may be one of the last sets printed. Please make an offer online or call in on Saturday 10-3

28/09/2026

A couple of conversations on Saturday at Birdwood Institute's Book Shed reminded me that not everyone is aware of the recent history of the institute so I thought I'd give a quick summary! About 13 years ago, Adelaide Hills Council, the owner, proposed to sell it. A well attended public meeting was held and The Friends of the Birdwood Institute was formed. This all volunteer group continues to manage and improve the institute in collaboration with council. We raise money by hiring out the facility on a regular basis or for one off events and by selling second hand books which are all donated. All $$$$ are ploughed back into the institute which as an old building throws up some challenges! Many of you would be aware of the great work done in recent times! The Friends of the Birdwood Institute are determined to keep the institute available for community use and thank community members for their ongoing support.
Jean Colquhoun
Secretary, Friends of the Birdwood Institute

28/09/2026

The popularity of our $1 per book foyer sale has been remarkable. People have enjoyed scanning the shelves and rummaging in the boxes. As a result we have decided to continue this sale for the foreseeable future! We recognise the importance of children's reading and therefore all children's books are 50c each plus we have some giveaway bags of books for the very young! No book is priced at more than $5 and most are $3 or $4. Another space is being developed in the shed and customers now have access to that too! As always we thank our donors whose generous gifts of high quality books is what makes all this possible. Hope to see you on a Saturday 10-3.

24/09/2026

Last Saturday's $1 day for all books in the foyer was so popular we are doing it again tomorrow (26th). Bags available. Also, the Book Shed really is becoming a Book SHED with the development of another space to display books for your perusal. It will be open tomorrow!

16/09/2026

The institute's foyer is looking a little untidy because we are preparing for a super sale this Saturday 19 September 10-3. All books in this space are $1! We know how much book lovers enjoy searching through boxes for that bargain so we hope to see you!

09/09/2026

The Book Shed is looking for bookcases/shelving so we can add to the already considerable number of books available to our customers. If you have one of more you are willing to donate, we would be very grateful.

06/09/2026

The Friends of the Birdwood Institute's AGM will be held tomorrow, Tuesday 8 September at 7pm. All welcome.

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27/06/2026

Confirmation! The institute's book shed will reopen this Saturday 4 July (10-3). To celebrate, for one day only, all children's books will be FREE and adult fiction and non fiction books $1 EACH! In addition, for every dollar you spend you will receive a ticket in the raffle to be drawn at 2.45pm. We look forward to seeing our "old" customers and hopefully some "new" ones too! We have a big collection of quality secondhand books for your enjoyment. Please drop in to see the work that has been done and show your support in keeping this valuable facility available to the community.

25/06/2026

There are many people to be thanked in relation to recent works at the institute. Firstly, Adelaide hills Council for identifying matters to be addressed, organising the necessary workers and funding the project. Their communication with the management committee and attempts to minimise disruption to activities was outstanding. Secondly, to those regular users of the institute who to had to find alternative venues and even when parts of the facility were available again, had to put up with emergency "lock outs." Your understanding and willingness to adapt have been spectacular. And thirdly, our book shed customers and those who donate books whose patience has been much appreciated.
We had hoped to reopen in early May but as so often happens with old buildings, new problems arose as work was undertaken. Regular classes have been back for some weeks and we are hoping to reopen the book shed on 4 July. More info to come. We had to pack all the books, shelving and furniture into a container and are still putting books back on shelves! I'm sure you can imagine what a huge task that was! Thanks to all who helped!

What this space for confirmation (or otherwise!!!) that the book shed will reopen on July 4 - we are planning a couple of special things and hope you will drop in to see the improvements and show your support for the institute

07/05/2026

Update - most of the work is near completion. If you think the outside looks good you'll be wowed by the inside! Regular classes and activities have resumed. However the book shed won't reopen until mid June. All the shelving and books from the front room had to be boxed and stored in a container at the rear of the building. We have just begun putting those back. Next we have to do the same with the books in the back room so the floor coverings can be replaced. A lot of heavy work - thanks to all who have helped. Please look out for info about the reopening of the book shed. We hope to organise an event to celebrate. In the meantime, the donation chute remains closed. We rely totally on your generous donations so please hang on to your books for just a little longer!

Thanks to Adelaide Hills Council and the tradespeople they have employed for the repairs and updating of the Institute.

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Address

Shannon Street
Birdwood, SA
5234

Opening Hours

10am - 2pm

Website

http://www.birdwoodinstitute.org.au/

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