MUNRUBEN bookworms can now borrow from a street exchange made entirely of recycled, local timber.
The exchange, on EIldon Close, is already full of books which locals can borrow or take, and residents can also put their own books in it, too.
The service is the brainchild of resident Julie Whitlock. It was built by Anthony Aitken, from New Earth Timber.
It was packed with 100 books for its opening, and Mrs Whitlock said it was already popular with locals.
"There have been a lot take books out so far," she said.
Her husband Gary Whitlock said the books had been well organised to start with.
"I put 100 in, and because I'm anal, they were in alphabetical order," he said.
Every piece of timber used in the construction was recycled from local trees.
It was a lockdown project for Mr Aitken.
"I had three days off, and no one was going to be seeing me, so I thought let's get this thing built," he said.
Forest red gum was used on the outside, and spotted gum makes up the internal cladding.
It was salvaged from Flagstone and milled and dried by Mr Aitken.
"The bloodwood front facade comes from one of the only big trees we have felled on our property," he said.
Ilky oak windows, roof sheeting, capping and shelves were salvaged from the Muchow farm at Logan Reserve.
Australian red cedar was used for the hand routed logo, and made by Flick's Woodworking and Timber Creations.
The handles on the front are branches from Eildon Park.
Residents can also grab seeds from the box to grow in their yards, and herbs could soon be added.
It really is something nice for the community. We want to get that feel back
- Julie Whitlock
Division 9 councillor Scott Bannan said it was the first of many for his electorate.
"I want to do more," he said.
"I want Rotary Park to have one next, then Cedar Grove, maybe Mundoolun, with a bit of a tourist route for them."
The Munruben box will do more than instill a love of reading in children, it will be a community meeting point, Mrs Whitlock said.
"Get out and exercise and meet people," she said.
"It really is something nice for the community. We want to get that feel back."
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