Since 1980, The Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest has been a landmark event for local bookworms. Bookfest has grown steadily over the years and now fills the enormous Founders Pavilion at the Toowoomba Showgrounds.

This year more than seven shipping containers of books covered topics including cooking, petcare, Australian history and cricket.  Add to that hundreds of children's and YA books, novels and biographies and Bookfest has something for everyone.

Bookfest provides  access to low-cost high-quality books for everyone in the community while raising vital funds which allow us to continue to provide our crisis support and counselling services throughout the Darling Downs and South West Queensland.  Since it began 40 years ago, Bookfest has raised over $1 million and in 2020 we sold $70,000 worth of books and games.

The Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest is supported by a handful of dedicated and passionate volunteers who have spent years sorting, packing, stacking and selling books. These Lifeline legends are the backbone of the event and without them Bookfest would not be possible.  Our sincere thanks go out to our volunteers, staff and sponsors for their ongoing efforts and support.

We've handled millions of books and seen a lot of interesting things over the last 40 years and we're still thrilled to see people so passionate about getting their hands on books...sometimes even by the trolley load.

Our team is set to continue this great tradition, bringing good quality, affordable books to the community and raising vital funds for Lifeline Darling Downs.

If you would like to stay up-to-date on when the next Chronicle Lifeline Bookfest is happening, subscribe to our regular emails now.

If you can't wait until 2021 to get your hands on a great book, head over to our Never Ending Stories bookshop located at The Range Shopping Centre, 11 James Street, Toowoomba or to The Emporium, 302 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba

Happy reading!!