by Karen Viggers

There were some sad losses in the ACT in 2024 in relation to the writing and bookselling community. Marion Halligan, John Stokes, Gemma Carey, and local much-loved, long-term Canberra bookseller, Meredith Wright who died of a rare cancer in late October.

I want to tell you a little about Meredith and pay tribute to her tremendous contribution to the Canberra book industry over many years. Even though I wasn’t close to Meredith, I always felt warm and welcome in her presence. She was a wonderful, generous, cheery, positive and friendly person.

Meredith came to Canberra in the 1980’s to work at Collins at Woden Plaza, which was then one of the flagship Collins stores in all of Australia. She made the place shine and, during her time there, promoted a dizzying array of books and authors including the huge Harry Potter launches.

It was at Collins Woden that the book-buyers of Canberra came to know Meredith and appreciate her passion for selling them the perfect book. These customers followed Meredith loyally throughout her bookselling career.

Meredith took on her own beautiful bookshop, buying Dalton’s in Civic from Margaret Dalton. That’s when I first met her. I loved that shop – even though it was in a tricky position that wasn’t easy to find. It had beautiful wooden panels, a lovely atmosphere, and was close to the ANU (where I was completing my PhD).

When my first novel was published, in 2008, I was clueless and I had no idea what to do in terms of publicity and connecting with booksellers. But I did arrange to visit Meredith at Dalton’s, and that was the first time we really spoke. She was so lovely and helpful.

Unfortunately, a perfect storm was developing in the book industry, with the Global Financial Crisis, Amazon and the Book Depository’s predatory cost cutting, and the Borders/A&R market domination. Things became very tough for independent bookshops and Meredith had to close her shop.

During that time, however, Meredith sold books at many community events across the local region. Always connecting with book buyers and making friends wherever she went.

After a short stint at the National Library Bookshop Meredith found her perfect bookselling position with Alison and Richard Kay at Dymocks Canberra City. It was here that she really found her people and consolidated her connections and friendships with many Canberra readers and authors.

When Alison and Richard retired, and Dymocks City became a company store, the new management, for unfathomable reasons, didn’t want to employ Meredith. She was devastated by this, but eventually settled happily among books at beautiful Paperchain, bookselling with her husband Steve Belton. For me, this is a nice circle, because Paperchain has a similar atmosphere of wood and warmth that I so loved about Dalton’s.

Deb Stevens tells me that, over the many years during which Meredith sold books in Canberra, she was one of the lynchpins in the Canberra bookseller community. I imagine it was her supportive and friendly style that helped bond the booksellers together. She was also a champion for authors, and the connection she made with authors and their books made such a difference for both readers and writers when it came to selling books.

As a writer, I love to hang out in bookshops, and it always makes me laugh that I’m so bad at conversation in bookshops, because I can’t stop looking at all the books around me. But I did still manage to become friends with Meredith while in her bookshop. For me, connecting with booksellers and developing friendships is one of the great joys in writing. I think it was the same for Meredith.

I didn’t get to see Meredith towards the end of her life, but Deb Stevens told me how, even when Meredith was in hospital and in serious decline, she continued to find joy in her family and friends. The end of life is a very sad time – it’s hard to say goodbye to people we love, and yet Deb said this time with Meredith was a wonderful period of honouring friendships.

I will forever remember Meredith’s sunny welcoming smile. She always had time to talk to people and make them feel special. She will be very sadly missed as a friend, colleague, fellow booklover and above all a passionate bookseller who loved people, books and community in equal measure.

CELEBRATION FOR THE LIFE OF MEREDITH WRIGHT

The Christmas and holiday season is over and the time has come for our community to gather and celebrate the life of Canberra bookseller Meredith Wright. 

Meredith did not want a funeral and her family held a small party after she left us on October 30th.

Meredith touched so many lives and now her friends, colleagues, customers and authors can farewell a much loved Canberra identity. We will share memories, stories, say lots or simply enjoy listening.

We are gathering at Nara Peace Park on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin. The area is lovely and green and there is deep shade in the event of hot weather. 

3pm Sunday March 2nd.

Please bring your own chairs, drinks and nibbles. 

As Meredith loved cooking I think the long-time Australian tradition of bringing a plate to share would be lovely for any bakers who feel so inclined. There will be a table.

Here’s to a lovely honouring and celebration of Meredith from the glorious big book community she so loved. 

Deb Stevens 

deborahlind222@gmail.com