Books making a difference: How community libraries are supporting Queensland’s veterans

Turning pages, changing lives 

When veteran Dylan Conway started Brothers and Books (now Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation) in 2020, inspired by his own experience with bibliotherapy while bedridden for 14 months, he could not have anticipated the impact it would have just five years later. 

Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation has donated more than 10,000 books to set up more than 134 free community libraries across Australia. The libraries can be found in veteran support centres, RSL Sub Branches, Queensland Police Service stations, Army Brigade headquarters, medical centres, museums and cafes.  

These include Currumbin/Palm Beach RSL Sub Branch’s Veteran Support Centre, Mount Isa RSL Sub Branch, RSL Queensland Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre in Townsville and Mates4Mates Veteran & Family Wellbeing Centre in Darwin. 

As someone who sees veterans and their families on a daily basis in her role as Administration Assistant at RSL Queensland’s North Queensland District Office in Townsville, Michelle Dennert is a huge advocate of the community libraries.  

“Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation is constantly growing and offers different pathways for communities to start a library – by requesting a grant for a library, paying for a library or building their own from scratch,” Michelle says. 

“The program is designed to meet people where they are – in their workplace, before and during recovery, and in their communities.” 

More than books – a space for connection and healing 

Veterans visiting the RSL North Queensland District Office for an appointment are often surprised to see the library, which runs on a “grab a book, leave a book” principle.  

“One veteran recently took a book while he was here for an appointment and returned the following week with a whole stack of his own personal books to donate to our library,” Michelle says.  

The books in the Townsville library largely focus on mental wellbeing, personal growth and life skills – titles that can help shape futures, support recovery and strengthen personal relationships. This was a core focus for Dylan when he started the charity.  

“I spent 12 years in the Infantry Corps, which is renowned as difficult and reserved for tough people. Reading has increased my resilience much more than anything I've ever done in the Defence Force,” Dylan shared during his 2024 interview with RSL Queensland. 

“Reading about the trials people have faced and overcome definitely gave me the perspective to keep pushing forward, find meaning and also find a way that I could give back.”

Michelle says the collection is not limited to non-fiction, with plenty of fiction also available. 

“There are also stories of inspiration, overcoming hardship and perseverance, as well as service-based classics. 

“The focus of bibliotherapy is to reduce suffering and offer calm, perspective and the inspiration to push through hard times.”  

For Sub Branches and others with regular contact with veterans, Michelle strongly encourages getting in touch with The Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation to establish their own library. 

“It doesn’t have to take up much space, even just a couple of shelves, but it opens the door for veterans to come back without any reason other than just to chat and grab a book, which is so important.” 

Get in touch with Australian Bibliotherapy Foundation. 

Michelle’s top three summer reads 

With summer already upon us, and the holidays fast approaching, Michelle shared her top three summer reading recommendations for veterans and their families: 

• Atomic Habits by James Clear: a self-help must read for anyone wanting to improve any aspect of their life through small achievable changes.
• The Women by Kristin Hannah: a fictional story based on factual events that provides insight into the experiences of nurses serving in Vietnam; the mental and physical effects of war; and the difficulties they faced after returning to an unwelcoming society.
• Cut Off by Col Foley: Written by Magnetic Island RSL Sub Branch President, Colin Foley, Cut Off is a tale of adventure, hardship and survival and a confronting insight into the Vietnam War. Col paints a story of harsh brutality enriched with the dark humour and larrikinism that embodied the soldiers of this conflict. We’ve also been reliably informed that the tiger story is true. 

How can your Sub Branch help you?  

Do you, or someone you know in the veteran community, need support?