Northern Grampians Libraries

Come along to this exclusive movie premiere fundraiser for St Arnaud Friends of The Library!

🎥The Sheep Detectives
📆Friday, May 31, 2026
🕑2pm
📍St Arnaud Community Cinema
🎟️$18 per ticket (supper provided)

Tickets available at RAMJAC and St Arnaud Library (door sales possible if any vacancies).

George Hardy, a shepherd who reads murder mysteries to his sheep, is found dead under suspicious circumstances. The sheep, secretly avid mystery fans, decide to solve the case themselves. Their investigation takes them beyond the meadow into a world far more complicated than their books.

In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realise they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brian Cranston, Chris O'Dowd - movie runs for 108 minutes.

Today is the first day of National Reconciliation Week, a week that encourages all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements.

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, collective effort.

In the spirit of connection and healing, we have turned off commenting and encourage everyone in our local library community to think about ways they can make positive change and foster a more connected and inclusive community this week.

Why not drop in to our locations in either Stawell or St Arnaud and check out the books we have on display to celebrate indigenous authors?

The countdown is on to the start of our new program at Stawell Library!

The English Conversation Circle is designed to offer connections and guidance to Northern Grampians Shire residents for whom English is a second language. The sessions will involve informal get-togethers where people can practise their English conversation skills and meet new friends.

Through this program you can:
🗣️Meet and connect with new people
🗣️ Enjoy friendly conversation in small groups
🗣️ Ask questions and get help
🗣️ Be guided by a fully qualified ESL teacher

Bookings are not required, just come along and join in. For more information, you can give the library a call on (03) 5358 1274 or pop in and speak with a member of our friendly team.

It's almost here! National Simultaneous Storytime is on this week, so don't miss your chance to participate in Stawell or St Arnaud.

National Simultaneous Storytime is a wonderful opportunity to spark imagination, build literacy skills and share a love of books with our community.

This year's book is Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson, Adrian Lloyd and Jake A Minton.

Story time sessions are free of charge and everyone is welcome!

Join us at:
📍 Stawell
📆 Wednesday, May 27
⏰ 12pm

📍 St Arnaud
📆 Thursday, May 28
⏰ 10.30am
(Our team will read Luna Roo during regular story time due to branch operating hours)

Northern Grampians Libraries will continue its long-running relationship with Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea this year and is inviting the community to join in the fun.

The St Arnaud branch will host its event on Wednesday, May 20 at 2pm.
Stawell branch will host its Biggest Morning Tea on Thursday, May 21 at 10.30am.

Entry to both events is by gold coin donation, with money raised going towards Cancer Council Australia.

You can find more information about the St Arnaud event online, here: https://ow.ly/LSks50YXVfa
And the Stawell event, here: https://ow.ly/PHL350YXVf9

Today is IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) - a day where we stand against discrimination, raise awareness and celebrate inclusion for LGBTQIA+ communities.

Did you know...
🔸That 2 in 3​ LGBTQIA+ youth experience abuse due to their identity?
🔸​Or that 35%​ of LGBTQIA+ Australians have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months?
🔸Or that almost 15% of young people in our shire identified as part of our local LGBTIQ+ community?

Our Stawell and St Arnaud branches are safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community and our team stands in solidarity with you today.

You can find out more about IDAHOBIT by visiting https://www.idahobit.org.au.

We are excited to announce a new program at Stawell Library, starting on June 4.

The English Conversation Circle is designed to offer connections and guidance to Northern Grampians Shire residents for whom English as a second language. The sessions will involve informal get-togethers where people can practise their English conversation skills and meet new friends.

Through this program you can:
🗣️Meet and connect with new people
🗣️ Enjoy friendly conversation in small groups
🗣️ Ask questions and get help
🗣️ Be guided by a fully qualified ESL teacher

Bookings are not required, just come along and join in. For more information, you can give the library a call on (03) 5358 1274 or pop in and speak with a member of our friendly team.

IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia) is coming up this Sunday.

To acknowledge the day, Northern Grampians Shire Council is supporting Grampians Youth Events in Stawell and St Arnaud, alongside their event partners, to host two colour run events.

IDAHOBIT Day is a day that stands against discrimination, raises awareness and celebrates inclusion for LGBTQIA+ communities. We encourage our community to get involved in either of the locations below with further details available via the provided links.

📍St Arnaud: Friday, May 15 starting at 4.30pm and leaving from King George's Park (on Burke Street). Find out more here - https://ow.ly/Rawv50YXi4p

📍Stawell: Sunday, May 17 starting at 9.15am and leaving from the Ironbarks (corner of Centre and Golf Course roads). Find out more here - https://ow.ly/wUHw50YXi4o

Happy 90th birthday to one of Stawell Library's longtime patrons, Ron Davies! 🎈🎂

Ron (front left) is one of the original members of the library's How’s It Going?, a group formed to provide social connections for men. So, when it came time to celebrate his birthday, Ron could not think of a better location than here with us!

We hope you had a wonderful celebration, Ron, and we look forward to welcoming the How's It Going? members back on Wednesday, May 20.

You can read more about Ron's birthday celebration and the How's It Going? group, here: https://ow.ly/PUQk50YWlQS

Join us for Storytime at Stawell and St Arnaud

📖Spark a love of reading
🎇Turn books into adventures and creativity
🌟A great space for families
📚Watch your child’s world grow, one story at a time

Songs 🌟 Rhymes 🌟 Craft 🌟 Stories

📍Stawell Library
🕑10.30am Thursdays and Fridays

📍St Arnaud Library
🕑10.30am Thursdays

📚✨ SAVE THE DATE! ✨📚

We are excited to share that National Simultaneous Storytime is coming up on May 27 🎉

Join us to celebrate the joy of reading and storytelling with children across Australia, as we read a specially chosen book at the same time.

National Simultaneous Storytime is a wonderful opportunity to spark imagination, build literacy skills and share a love of books with our community.

This year's book is Luna Roo the Kangaroo Baller by Adam Jackson, Adrian Lloyd and Jake A Minton.

Mark it on your calendar:
📍 Stawell
📆 Wednesday, May 27
⏰ 12pm

📍 St Arnaud
📆 Thursday, May 28
⏰ 10.30am
(Our team will read Luna Roo during regular story time due to the library not being open at 12pm on Wednesday)

Story time sessions are free of charge. All welcome 🎉