Australia Day Ambassador Announced

Footpath Library's founder Sarah Garnett will be Tennant's Australia Day Ambassador

Posted: Tuesday, 9 January 2018

Sarah Garnett, who is the founder and volunteer Managing Director of The Footpath Library, a truly unique library that gives away books to homeless people, has been announced as the Australia Day Ambassador to Tennant Creek in 2018.

“Ms Garnett is such an inspirational woman,” said Council Mayor Steven Edgington. “She is passionate about encouraging literacy from an early age and making books accessible to everyone who loves reading. Now her organisation provides books to homeless people in four cities.”

The Footpath Library, a charity which provides free books to homeless people, was established by Sarah after a chance meeting with a homeless man in 2003 during which she gave him the books she had with her.  She quickly recognised how precious books are to someone who has no home.  

The Footpath Library currently gives away free books via its mobile services, and through 130 libraries installed in hostels, refuges and community organisations in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. 

Ms Garnett is a 2015 Rotary NSW Inspirational Women’s Awards finalist, a 2013 NSW Australian of the Year Local Hero finalist, the recipient of the 2013 Courage to Care Local Hero Award, an Australia Day Ambassador since 2010 and a 2012 National Homelessness Services Achievement Awards finalist.  She was also the subject of an episode of Channel 9’s program, Random Acts of Kindness.

Prior and concurrent to her role as Managing Director of The Footpath Library, Ms Garnett has had a successful 28 year career as a corporate communications and documentary producer. 

Ms Garnett will attend and speak at Australia Day 2018 events and ceremonies on Australia Day in Tennant Creek.