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0:02

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My name's Adeline Moir. I'm here interviewing Sue O'Donoghue, one of the librarians here at Bellingenshire. It's Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 and it's 2:45. Hi Sue. Hi, Eddie. So you're one of the long term librarians here at Bellingham Shire. Can you tell me when you first started? And a little bit about the library back then. OK. I first started in 1993. My name's Adeline Moir. I'm here interviewing Sue O'Donoghue, one of the librarians here at Bellingenshire. It's Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 and it's 2:45. Hi Sue. Hi, Eddie. So you're one of the long term librarians here at Bellingham Shire. Can you tell me when you first started? And a little bit about the library back then. OK. I first started in 1993.
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And originally I started under a community youth support scheme. Um, so I had a little bit of training just in the general library services at the time was Uranga, Bellingen and Dorrigo and I worked amongst the three libraries. So I got a good overall view and that was a one year program and when that completed, um there was job interviews going for Bellingen and. And originally I started under a community youth support scheme. Um, so I had a little bit of training just in the general library services at the time was Uranga, Bellingen and Dorrigo and I worked amongst the three libraries. So I got a good overall view and that was a one year program and when that completed, um there was job interviews going for Bellingen and.
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Uranga libraries and they were going to be employing a person two days a week. Uranga libraries and they were going to be employing a person two days a week.
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Previous to that they were all just one person libraries. So that's how I first originally got my foot in the door into the library service, so I was employed then by Bellingen Shire council two days a week. Previous to that they were all just one person libraries. So that's how I first originally got my foot in the door into the library service, so I was employed then by Bellingen Shire council two days a week.
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At Bellingen Library and a little bit down the track. At Bellingen Library and a little bit down the track.
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Then Saturday morning became available, so then I was employed to work Saturday morning as well. So in the old days first we started with one person libraries and then it went to. Then Saturday morning became available, so then I was employed to work Saturday morning as well. So in the old days first we started with one person libraries and then it went to.
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2 people, two person libraries in Bellington and Urango, although Dorrigo still remained the one person library and so I yes, I started in 1993, so it's about 26 years now that I've been in the library service, so I've seen a lot of changes in that time. 2 people, two person libraries in Bellington and Urango, although Dorrigo still remained the one person library and so I yes, I started in 1993, so it's about 26 years now that I've been in the library service, so I've seen a lot of changes in that time.
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And so there was a librarian there to begin with. Yes, we're going back to probably. Well, Anne O'Brien was in the previous library, and she worked for 20 years, from 1987 to 2007. And she was in the What's the Senior Citizens Room? That's where she'd worked from. The library previous to that was run by Mary Anderson, and she ran it for 18 years, and it originally was. And so there was a librarian there to begin with. Yes, we're going back to probably. Well, Anne O'Brien was in the previous library, and she worked for 20 years, from 1987 to 2007. And she was in the What's the Senior Citizens Room? That's where she'd worked from. The library previous to that was run by Mary Anderson, and she ran it for 18 years, and it originally was.
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I had premises in the Memorial Hall and also the old community centre and then the senior citizens room, so Mary Anderson with her. And so I've seen the library service move from just basic card file systems into the early computer days and then into the web-based program. So it's been quite a long, a long journey. The libraries have changed quite a bit from the old card systems, so. I had premises in the Memorial Hall and also the old community centre and then the senior citizens room, so Mary Anderson with her. And so I've seen the library service move from just basic card file systems into the early computer days and then into the web-based program. So it's been quite a long, a long journey. The libraries have changed quite a bit from the old card systems, so.
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The building that you were in was over at the Community Center. You you said, Oh no, when I started it was at the senior citizens room, that's where the library was. Previous to that there was an old community centre, which doesn't exist anymore. It was in the grounds of the council chamber area. And can you tell me a bit more about the senior citizen Centre, where where was that located and just give me a little bit about about that building, Well, the senior citizens. The building that you were in was over at the Community Center. You you said, Oh no, when I started it was at the senior citizens room, that's where the library was. Previous to that there was an old community centre, which doesn't exist anymore. It was in the grounds of the council chamber area. And can you tell me a bit more about the senior citizen Centre, where where was that located and just give me a little bit about about that building, Well, the senior citizens.
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Room. Room.
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I think that used to be the old headmaster's office there. There used to be a school in this area. But that area used to be. Yeah. I'm not exactly sure, but they used to. I thought it was the headmaster's office, just in this building here. Yes. And can you, can you describe that a little bit to us? What was it? A large room? Did it have? Yeah. The old library. Yeah. OK. The old library was quite small in comparison to what we're in now. It was four times as small. I think that used to be the old headmaster's office there. There used to be a school in this area. But that area used to be. Yeah. I'm not exactly sure, but they used to. I thought it was the headmaster's office, just in this building here. Yes. And can you, can you describe that a little bit to us? What was it? A large room? Did it have? Yeah. The old library. Yeah. OK. The old library was quite small in comparison to what we're in now. It was four times as small.
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So we had very limited services and the shelving was very tall and lots of books were crammed into the shelves, so you'd have to stand on little footstools to get to the top shelves. So we had very limited services and the shelving was very tall and lots of books were crammed into the shelves, so you'd have to stand on little footstools to get to the top shelves.
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Very small children's area and in those days we didn't offer any other services. It was just basically lending services. We didn't have any children's story time or or any other activities. There just wasn't the room to to hold any activities in those days. Very small children's area and in those days we didn't offer any other services. It was just basically lending services. We didn't have any children's story time or or any other activities. There just wasn't the room to to hold any activities in those days.
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So, so when did you move into this new building? So this new building, it was opened in August of 2008. And so it was a wonderful addition to the community because we'd really outgrown that smaller space. We had a great grand opening day. We had the acapella choir sang and lots of people, lots of dignitaries, speeches, lots of people through the doors. They had the the original, the architect, Steve Gorrell. So, so when did you move into this new building? So this new building, it was opened in August of 2008. And so it was a wonderful addition to the community because we'd really outgrown that smaller space. We had a great grand opening day. We had the acapella choir sang and lots of people, lots of dignitaries, speeches, lots of people through the doors. They had the the original, the architect, Steve Gorrell.
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Used to see all his work in action with a lovely Bay windows that he'd put in. So is that the building that we moved into was actually. Used to see all his work in action with a lovely Bay windows that he'd put in. So is that the building that we moved into was actually.
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A refurbishment of the old council chambers and so that's what was there. A refurbishment of the old council chambers and so that's what was there.
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And was that through funding? Through. Yes, it was the state library, state library funded event, Yeah. And then what happened after that when you moved into the new building? So the new building, what happened there? So all the libraries were just running as one person, usual libraries nobody had to have. And was that through funding? Through. Yes, it was the state library, state library funded event, Yeah. And then what happened after that when you moved into the new building? So the new building, what happened there? So all the libraries were just running as one person, usual libraries nobody had to have.
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Proper librarian qualifications. You just have to have high school certificate. Proper librarian qualifications. You just have to have high school certificate.
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For your. For your.
5:45

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Yes. And so that was, yeah, none of this library technicians courses. So when the new library opened, they employed a shy librarian, which we'd never had before. So the Shire librarian now is going to be in charge of the three library branches. Yes. And so that was, yeah, none of this library technicians courses. So when the new library opened, they employed a shy librarian, which we'd never had before. So the Shire librarian now is going to be in charge of the three library branches.
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And so that was a big change. So then we started to see a lot more activities happening. The libraries could offer a lot more services. So moving into the new library we now could offer children's story time we had. Lovely. And so that was a big change. So then we started to see a lot more activities happening. The libraries could offer a lot more services. So moving into the new library we now could offer children's story time we had. Lovely.
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Space to have. Space to have.
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Exhibitions One of the really great exhibitions we had in the early days was Faces of Bellingen. We had a lady solve a Larsen. She went around the town and she took pictures of hundreds of people and then developed the pictures and then the whole wall in the foyer of the library was full of Faces of Bellingen. This library scenario, this was a really fantastic exhibition. And then we often have. Exhibitions One of the really great exhibitions we had in the early days was Faces of Bellingen. We had a lady solve a Larsen. She went around the town and she took pictures of hundreds of people and then developed the pictures and then the whole wall in the foyer of the library was full of Faces of Bellingen. This library scenario, this was a really fantastic exhibition. And then we often have.
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Lots of other exhibitions. With Anzac Day, we have some great exhibition there. So it's offered a whole bunch of new space. So you've been running Children's Story Time since it first started. That's right. Yes, I have. So that's going back. So from 2008 and now we're in 2019. So yes. And it's been wonderful to see all the kids coming in and the changes that have happened. And have you seen some of those children that you started with? I have. I've seen the children grow up. It's wonderful. Lots of other exhibitions. With Anzac Day, we have some great exhibition there. So it's offered a whole bunch of new space. So you've been running Children's Story Time since it first started. That's right. Yes, I have. So that's going back. So from 2008 and now we're in 2019. So yes. And it's been wonderful to see all the kids coming in and the changes that have happened. And have you seen some of those children that you started with? I have. I've seen the children grow up. It's wonderful.
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And to quote I I just recently in one of the newspapers. And to quote I I just recently in one of the newspapers.
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The Sydney Morning Herald a lady was had wrote in saying how her child took first steps in the library and actually I was there when that child took his first steps in the library. Now he's a boy of about 12 years old. It's it's amazing. The Sydney Morning Herald a lady was had wrote in saying how her child took first steps in the library and actually I was there when that child took his first steps in the library. Now he's a boy of about 12 years old. It's it's amazing.
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You see them from babies to growing right up. It's wonderful. And have there been any other significant events that you can remember that have taken place in in the library in Belgium? Oh yes. We have one very poignant event. We had a lovely musician, Rain Boyce. He came and played one day for. You see them from babies to growing right up. It's wonderful. And have there been any other significant events that you can remember that have taken place in in the library in Belgium? Oh yes. We have one very poignant event. We had a lovely musician, Rain Boyce. He came and played one day for.
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Valentine's Day, a beautiful violinist. He came and played beautiful music in the library. It was very moving and unfortunately he's now lost his life. He was killed in a a car accident at Thora. So that that memory stays with me very strongly. And his mother often comes in and and we have a lot of reminiscing about his life. And yeah, it's very moving. You must have a lot of those moments in the library. Yes, with people you. We live in a relatively small community. Valentine's Day, a beautiful violinist. He came and played beautiful music in the library. It was very moving and unfortunately he's now lost his life. He was killed in a a car accident at Thora. So that that memory stays with me very strongly. And his mother often comes in and and we have a lot of reminiscing about his life. And yeah, it's very moving. You must have a lot of those moments in the library. Yes, with people you. We live in a relatively small community.
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You don't have those interactions with people. Yeah, yes, yeah, yes, the living, the dying, the spring and the crying, lots of new babies coming in and yeah, it's wonderful and have you seen it change a lot over the years? Oh yes, I think people and also with the the computers that are available in the library so many of the public use the it's wonderful cause a lot of the people of lower socioeconomic level and they they can't afford to have that in their home so. You don't have those interactions with people. Yeah, yes, yeah, yes, the living, the dying, the spring and the crying, lots of new babies coming in and yeah, it's wonderful and have you seen it change a lot over the years? Oh yes, I think people and also with the the computers that are available in the library so many of the public use the it's wonderful cause a lot of the people of lower socioeconomic level and they they can't afford to have that in their home so.
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It's they're so well used. It's they're so well used.
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So that's wonderful to see. It's a real community hub. So is that one of the biggest changes that you've seen over the years? That's right, yeah, because we've got 10 public computers now here. And so they're always constantly in use. So that's wonderful to see. It's a real community hub. So is that one of the biggest changes that you've seen over the years? That's right, yeah, because we've got 10 public computers now here. And so they're always constantly in use.
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So can you describe a day for me at the library? So can you describe a day for me at the library?
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Yeah, a day in the library well. Yeah, a day in the library well.
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On a Tuesday, I'd come in. We've got a lot of books that are coming and going between the whole branches. As you know, we're part of the Clarence Regional Library, so people can reserve books and they can go to any, any branches. So we've got a lot of book packing up with boxes and sending things off. And then we also receive a lot of boxes from other branches. On a Tuesday, I'd come in. We've got a lot of books that are coming and going between the whole branches. As you know, we're part of the Clarence Regional Library, so people can reserve books and they can go to any, any branches. So we've got a lot of book packing up with boxes and sending things off. And then we also receive a lot of boxes from other branches.
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We've got a lot of PR work happening, questions that you wouldn't believe. We've got a lot of PR work happening, questions that you wouldn't believe.
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All sorts of different things in the library. All sorts of different things in the library.
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Yes, it's a very varied day, so. Yes, it's a very varied day, so.
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Helping people on the computers. Helping people on the computers.
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Book shelving. Book shelving.
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Story time extra extra school activities. Story time extra extra school activities.
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Yes, it's a very varied day. Yes, it's a very varied day.
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I'm going to take you back to when you first started. Did what was the typical day back then? I mean, we had no computers. I'm going to take you back to when you first started. Did what was the typical day back then? I mean, we had no computers.
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You didn't. Yeah. Everything was a lot more paper based. So you kept records, everything was kept on paper. And and then like I said, you had the old card system, so whenever you got new books in, they'd come with a special card and you'd have to file them and file them away in a special filing cabinet. You didn't. Yeah. Everything was a lot more paper based. So you kept records, everything was kept on paper. And and then like I said, you had the old card system, so whenever you got new books in, they'd come with a special card and you'd have to file them and file them away in a special filing cabinet.
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Yes. So it's basically a lot of a simpler service in those days, but people asking you about books, borrowing, returning. Yes. So it's basically a lot of a simpler service in those days, but people asking you about books, borrowing, returning.
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Yes, so much more simple. Yes, so much more simple.
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Yeah. And were you part of the Clarence Regional Library? Yes, we were part of the Clarence Regional Library. Yeah. And were you part of the Clarence Regional Library? Yes, we were part of the Clarence Regional Library.
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In those days, we didn't get together that often. We might get together once or twice a year at the most. So we're very much on the outpost. And yeah, so you basically just ran your own show without that much support. Now that there's a lot more support that we get in and the other librarians at the other branches. In those days, we didn't get together that often. We might get together once or twice a year at the most. So we're very much on the outpost. And yeah, so you basically just ran your own show without that much support. Now that there's a lot more support that we get in and the other librarians at the other branches.
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Did you Did you have much to do with them? We did get together that often. It was all very much just on the phone. If you wanted to get any information, you'd call. Yes. And like I said, it was the the big meetings at Grafton were usually once or twice a year. Yes. And were you involved with the big move from from the old library to the new library? Can you tell me a bit about that? That was a huge a huge operation. All the old stuff to get packed up in boxes and. Did you Did you have much to do with them? We did get together that often. It was all very much just on the phone. If you wanted to get any information, you'd call. Yes. And like I said, it was the the big meetings at Grafton were usually once or twice a year. Yes. And were you involved with the big move from from the old library to the new library? Can you tell me a bit about that? That was a huge a huge operation. All the old stuff to get packed up in boxes and.
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Before, before we went, we had a big sale as well of all the books. So that was, you know, a lot of old stock got moved on. But it was, it was a huge process. And then that with the new librarian coming in, she had a lot to do with it as well. This is the general layout of where things were going to go. But yes, it was a huge, a huge move. Before, before we went, we had a big sale as well of all the books. So that was, you know, a lot of old stock got moved on. But it was, it was a huge process. And then that with the new librarian coming in, she had a lot to do with it as well. This is the general layout of where things were going to go. But yes, it was a huge, a huge move.
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Great. And and what was the the biggest enjoyment for you being a librarian back then and that may still be now for you What what Actually the biggest the thing I most enjoy in the library is is working with the children. I love. I love the story time every week and and and also readers advisory a lot lots of people come say oh what's a really good book to read And I love giving that information to people They say what can you what can I read now. So you're big reading yourself a big reader myself. Yes. Yeah. Great. And and what was the the biggest enjoyment for you being a librarian back then and that may still be now for you What what Actually the biggest the thing I most enjoy in the library is is working with the children. I love. I love the story time every week and and and also readers advisory a lot lots of people come say oh what's a really good book to read And I love giving that information to people They say what can you what can I read now. So you're big reading yourself a big reader myself. Yes. Yeah.
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And you know, the Children's Book Week is always a big focus that's always interesting. We get lots of children coming from the school and yes, reading all the different books. It's wonderful and it's a real community hub here. Have you always had a good relationship with different community groups and and. And you know, the Children's Book Week is always a big focus that's always interesting. We get lots of children coming from the school and yes, reading all the different books. It's wonderful and it's a real community hub here. Have you always had a good relationship with different community groups and and.
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You know, and invited the community in what what sort of involvement have you had with that? You know, and invited the community in what what sort of involvement have you had with that?
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Yes, yes. Well, I've always been part of the community and while I'm a part of a community choir and that, they're always around singing in different areas and. Yes, yes. Well, I've always been part of the community and while I'm a part of a community choir and that, they're always around singing in different areas and.
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And like people like we have big notice boards in the library, so all the different community groups are happy to put their signs up. So it is, it is a community hub, definitely. And like people like we have big notice boards in the library, so all the different community groups are happy to put their signs up. So it is, it is a community hub, definitely.
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And anything that stands out for you as a librarian for the last is it 35 years? Well, it's actually 2026 years, 26 years. And anything that stands out for you as a librarian for the last is it 35 years? Well, it's actually 2026 years, 26 years.
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Anything that stands out from the from the old library to the new library or yes, there's just so much more fun to be had in the libraries. Now you can, you know it's no longer such a really quiet shush place. People have a little bit more fun and enjoyment in the library and and see it as a more of a community hub these days than a place where you just. Anything that stands out from the from the old library to the new library or yes, there's just so much more fun to be had in the libraries. Now you can, you know it's no longer such a really quiet shush place. People have a little bit more fun and enjoyment in the library and and see it as a more of a community hub these days than a place where you just.
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Get your book and go, Yes. So have the clientele changed, do you think over the years, like from that shift from the old library to the new, once you were able to offer those services, was it more of an older. Yes clientele before? Probably an older clientele before now with different things being offered for the children? We see lots more family groups come in. Yeah, we have partnership with the Bellingen High School. They sell their eggs here and that brings a lot of people in, which people say, oh, you can get exit the library. Get your book and go, Yes. So have the clientele changed, do you think over the years, like from that shift from the old library to the new, once you were able to offer those services, was it more of an older. Yes clientele before? Probably an older clientele before now with different things being offered for the children? We see lots more family groups come in. Yeah, we have partnership with the Bellingen High School. They sell their eggs here and that brings a lot of people in, which people say, oh, you can get exit the library.
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It's a real different thing and you wouldn't find in a big city library somewhere. It's a real different thing and you wouldn't find in a big city library somewhere.
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MMM. MMM.
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And is there anything else you want to mention about about your time as a librarian here at Bellinghamshire? And is there anything else you want to mention about about your time as a librarian here at Bellinghamshire?
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It's just been a wonderful time. I I love meeting people, being part of a community. It's very rewarding. Great. Yeah. OK. Well, we'll end it there. Thank you, Sue. Thank you, Eddie. It's just been a wonderful time. I I love meeting people, being part of a community. It's very rewarding. Great. Yeah. OK. Well, we'll end it there. Thank you, Sue. Thank you, Eddie.