Birdwood 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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26/02/2026

Encyclopaedia! 4 sets were picked up on Wednesday and 4 sets came in today! Please come and take as many as you like and pay whatever you like!
Also some old "Royalty" books and magazines - Liz and Phil, Charles and Di, Andrew and Fergie! Nostalgia! Same deal - take as many as you like and pay whatever you like.
The Book Shed and chute will be closed from 3pm tomorrow (Saturday 28 Feb) until early May. We have to pack up 2 rooms in preparation for building works. Please help us out by calling in, ensuring that you have 2 months supply of reading matter and reduce the number of books to be stored!
Thanks as always for your support!

23/02/2026

IMPORTANT NOTICE! Birdwood Institute's Book Shed will be open this Saturday 28 February and then CLOSED UNTIL EARLY MAY while building works are undertaken. The chute will also be closed!
So only one more chance to lay in 2 months supply of books! And remember kids' books are free in February!
We had intended to stay open one more week but in order to pack up and store all the books and shelves in the foyer and front room, while not interfering with regular bookings, we have decided to close a week earlier.

Thanks in anticipation of your understanding. Special thanks to the leaders of the regular classes who have had to seek another venue. Lots of repairs will be made both to the interior and exterior!!! I'm particularly keen to see the dirty ceiling tiles replaced and the salt damp treated!!!

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21/02/2026

Encyclopaedia anyone? Britannica, Funk and Wagnalls, Australian, Junior Science, Year Books, Modern, Golden Hands.
MAKE AN OFFER - IT WILL BE ACCEPTED!
Birdwood Institute's Book Shed on Saturdays 10-3 or by arrangement.
Two Reminders - February is FREE CHILDREN'S BOOK Month and the Birdwood Institute will be closed after Saturday March 7 until early May for building works!

17/02/2026

Exciting news!
Adelaide Hills Council Contractors will be undertaking work at the Birdwood Institute to repair the roof and down pipes, make repairs to ceilings, repoint external walls and repair cracks, paint render, treat internal walls for salt damp, repair cracks in internal walls and paint and repair floors. This is a huge investment by the council and we thank them most sincerely.
However, it does mean that the institute will be a building site and to ensure efficiency and safety it will BE CLOSED FROM 9 MARCH
until at least 4 MAY.
If you attend classes, your instructors are currently making alternative arrangements and will advise you ASAP.
If you are a Book Shed customer, please stock up on 21st or 28th February. If that doesn't suit, contact me and I may be able to meet you there at another time before 4 March. Likewise, if you have books to donate please do so now! The chute won't be available.
We apologise for the disruption but believe this work is in the institute's long term interest.
Jean Colquhoun - on Behalf of Birdwood Institute's Management Committee

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07/02/2026

Apologies folks! I forgot to remind you that February is "Free Children's Book Month" at Birdwood Institute's Book Shed. Children are invited to choose up to 10 books for free! We do this to celebrate the return to school and to emphasise the importance of reading.
Fortunately some customers remembered from years gone by!
See you on Saturday 10-3!

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04/09/2025

The Friends of the Birdwood Institute's AGM will be held next Tuesday 9 September at 7pm. All welcome.

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27/08/2025

BEFORE and AFTER! Thanks to the Adelaide Hills Council and their contractors for the repair/replacement/painting of external doors and windows!
You can inspect this work when you come to the Book Shed on Saturday 10-3!!!!!

16/08/2025

The FENCE IS GONE and the CHUTE IS OPEN! The replacement/repair of the doors and windows is not quite complete - still some painting to be done! But looking good!
Thanks to those who brought books in on a Saturday while the chute was unavailable and to those keeping them at home! The book shed couldn't operate without the generosity of our donors! Sincere thanks!

15/07/2025

There will be no access to the book chute for the next 4 or 5 weeks while repair/replacement of doors and windows is undertaken. Donors please bring your books in on a Saturday 10-3 or phone 0407798609 if that does not suit. Entry to the institute is through the main door only. Apologies for the inconvenience but will be wonderful when it's finished.