learn about our history

About Us

NOT-FOR-PROFIT

'For The Love of Books'

Creative Clunes is a not-for-profit incorporated organisation. It is included in the Australian Register of Cultural Organisations.

We have a board of management meeting monthly.

turning the stereotype of rural towns on its head; from slow, dusty and dry to a hub of ideas and the arts.

Clunes Booktown Festival

remember the past

Since 2007

In 2007 the first Booktown (Booktown for a Day) was held attracting over 6,000 visitors. Since then a two day festival, Clunes Booktown Festival has been held annually in May. Over 60 booktraders from around Australia bring stock to the town and set up shop for the weekend. Street entertainment, food and wine, music and writer’s talks add to the festivities.

In April 2012 Clunes gained International Organisation of Booktowns membership, becoming the 15th International Booktown and the only booktown in Australia.

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communication is key

Creative Clunes Inc

A Parent Organisation

Creative Clunes is the parent organisation behind: 

  • The annual Clunes Booktown Festival in May
  • Booktown On Sunday series of Author’s Talks
  • Book Clubs Hub; a free platform for book clubs to share knowledge
  • The publication of The Clunes Little Book of the Book
  • 2018 Host of the International Organisation of Booktowns Conference
  • Sponsors regular author promotions, book launches and writing workshops
  • The Biannual Clunes Ceramic Award

Vision Statement

We aim to create and develop the town as a vibrant rural cultural hub for books writing and ideas. We will do this by developing and managing a high level of cultural and artistic experiences for the local community, the regional community and visitors, and by annually staging a nationally and internationally recognised festival-of-the-book. We aim to make Clunes one of the great Booktowns of the world.

Mission Statement

Creative Clunes is committed to hosting and developing cultural experiences of the highest standard. Creative Clunes will work to meet the needs and expectations of all its stakeholders – community, artists, traders, investors, and guests. Creative Clunes will work with energy and enthusiasm to develop and promote the Booktown concept and the town as a cultural hub for books, writing and ideas. Creative Clunes will seek to provide superior artistic development opportunities for writers, artists, performers and the wider community.

Strategic Plan

'The Next Chapter', A Strategic and Business Plan 2015 - 2022 underpins many of the organisational objectives in an sustainable sense. Creative Clunes Inc. has committed to professionalising the organisation in terms of artistic and operational management as well as addressing some of the key aspects of organisational governance. Further details can be found in the following document.

We Are a Not-For-Profit Organsation

We do it for the love of Books

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what do We need?

Donations

Donations to Creative Clunes Inc Trust Fund of $2 or more are tax deductible. Online donations are secure and issued with a tax receipt.

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our team

Creative Clunes Inc is made up of a small staff and a board of expertise

Meet Them

Would you like to make a difference?

Governance

Members Sought for Creative Clunes Inc Board

What We Organise

Creative Clunes Inc, the body behind the successful Clunes Booktown Festival, Booktown on Sunday, Book Clubs Hub and the Clunes Ceramic Award, and instrumental in the transformation of Clunes, is looking for new board members.

Where We Have Been

From 2007-2019 Creative Clunes Inc has grown dramatically from a small volunteer-led group to an ambitious multi-activity organisation with dozens of industry partners and sponsors delivering local and international programs.

What We Do

The volunteer board meets every month and is responsible for high-level strategic and financial decision making. In particular it reviews the activities of the organisation, create policy, oversee employment, offer guidance and be champions of the organisation. We are always looking for board members skilled in a range of areas including finance, governance, the book industry, the creative industries, philanthropy, fund raising, tourism, community engagement and small town transformations.

For More Information

Please contact CEO Richard Mackay-Scollay at manager@clunesbooktown.com.au.

What We Do To Protect You

Policies​

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

CLICK HERE

VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT POLICY

CLICK HERE

Clunes Ceramic Award

The Clunes Ceramic Award is an initiative of Creative Clunes Inc. and is in partnership with the Art Gallery of Ballarat and the Castlemaine Art Gallery and Historical Museum. To see work from past Award winners and shortlisted artist follow the link below.

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Book Clubs Hub

BookClubsHub.com is a free online resource for all book clubs, where they can share knowledge, experiences, book lists, compelling stories and potentially strengthen connections with other groups, like authors.

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International Program

There are many Booktowns recognised over the world. A book town can be identified as a place where second-hand and antiquarian bookshops are concentrated as well as being known for sustainable rural development and tourism. The International Booktown model is being followed in many countries around the world. More information can be found at the link below.

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  • © Creative Clunes
  • admin@clunesbooktown.com.au
  • +61 3 5345 3947‬
  • 70 Service St, Clunes. Victoria. 3370. Australia