Susanna Freymark
Susan Hughes is excited about the launch of her first book The Kettle’s On next month.
She had been busy creating a window display in the former IGA building on Summerland Way, Kyogle.
She was enjoying the community response as she added items to the window bit by bit to reflect the front cover of her book.
The windows are used by community groups such as Kyogle Progress Association and the Kyogle Museum to promote exhibitions and events. And Ms Hughes was using the smaller window to create excitement around her book launch.
It is part of the charm of Kyogle’s main street seeing what is on display in the windows.
On Sunday, August 23, someone gained access to the building through a broken window at the back and came into the vacant building and vandalised the displays.
Some of the calico was torn down, and objects were taken, Ms Hughes said.
“There was stuff missing. But they never took the kettle.”
The day Ms Hughes discovered the disarray was also her birthday – Sunday, August 23.
“People had donated to the window, she said, “ Like a burnt fence post and wire.”
When word got out, people said it was terrible and promised to come to the book launch of The Kettle’s On.
Amanda’s Hairdresser offered a front window down the street for the promotion of Ms Hughes’s book.
“If nothing else, I’m more in love with Kyogle,” Ms Hughes said after getting so much support from the community.
Kyogle resident Leanne Murner who is the publisher of The Kettle’s On said it was “incredibly disappointing for Ms Hughes who is weeks away from her book launch.”
“She had even organised a beautiful three metre painting that was going to be added to the display next week,” Ms Murner said.
She said the vandalism is about more than a few objects being destroyed.
“To some, it might just look like a few things in a shop window.
“But when someone has carried a dream of writing a book for years, finally brings that book into the world, and is beginning those exciting few weeks leading up to their very first book launch, these little things mean something. They’re part of the excitement and of seeing a dream finally become real.
“To have that excitement met with something like this is just devastating.”
The Kyogle Museum display was also tampered with.
Museum member Brett McNamara said the display had never been vandalised before.
A mannequin is missing and display items were turned upside down, Mr McNamara said.
“It’s so disappointing,” he said.
“This sort of behaviour isn’t reflective of Kyogle.
He acknowledged the quick action of Rob Carr from Roseberry Developments, who owns the building, in repairing the broken window.
Anyone who knows anything about the vandalism can contact police on 131 444.
And definitely come to the book launch of The Kettle’s On at Kyogle Library on Saturday, September 19 at 1pm. Entry is free and author Susan Hughes will be in conversation with Susanna Freymark from indynr.com