SWAN Hill Regional Library is collaborating with Robinvale’s sister city library in France to connect people through letters and drawings.
Swan Hill Regional Libraries manager Camille Cullinan said the library team had been meeting online with the Villers-Bretonneux library, Médiathèque Patrick Simon, since last year and identified they share the common goal of making connections.
“The meetings with Médiathèque Patrick Simon have been incredibly enriching for library staff in both countries,” Ms Cullinan said.
“Through conversation, we’ve identified things we share in common and also celebrated our unique differences.
“Despite our varied circumstances and settings, we all share the common aspiration to connect.”
Ms Cullinan encouraged everyone to get involved in this project, highlighting the exciting possibilities that await.
“We launched the Dear France! Chère Australie! project this week to foster cultural exchange, friendship, and create meaningful connections between people from both countries,” she said.
“People of all ages are encouraged to write a letter, and young children can correspond by drawing pictures.”
Participants can drop their letters into the Robinvale Learning and Community Hub or Swan Hill library for delivery. Letters should be written or drawn on paper that is A4 sized or smaller.
“Participants can choose what they write about, but for those needing inspiration, we suggest topics like summer holiday activities, daily school routines, employment, where they live, and even the pets they own,” Ms Cullinan said.
“While these topics may seem ordinary, they will undoubtedly be fascinating to someone living on the other side of the world.
“Knowing what everyday life looks like in another country can be captivating, and making comparisons can be a great way to start a friendship.”
Letters and drawings need to be submitted to either the Swan Hill Library or the Robinvale Community Learning Hub before Wednesday, March 12.
