The KLC houses an impressive collection of books, specialising in non-fiction. All books have been donated.
People may donate books on temporary or permanent loan, or as a gift. the KLC welcomes inquiries from potential donors as to the scope of the collection.
Books deemed surplus to the scope of the collection are made available for sale by donation. Some fiction titles (not included in the catalogue) may be made available for swapping.
Catalogue as at 29 April 2026 – general collection
The attached paper “Platforms” was first drafted for the benefit of people enrolled in tertiary study via the CUC Study Hub based at 72 Taylors Road. However, the content will also be relevant to anyone on the Island, with or without tertiary education, who has knowledge that they would like to make available to a wider audience.
Prof. Lorenz Gonschor delivered a presentation in the above topic to an appreciative audience on Friday 17 April 2026. Hehas given permission to the KLC to re-publish here, with the proviso that he is to be acknowledged if information from the presentation is being cited.
Click here for a PDF of his his address
Public intellectual Dr Chris Nobbs, a direct descendant of Rev George Hunn Nobbs – who joined the Bounty mutineers on Pitcairn Island before they decamped to Norfolk Island in 1856 – has written several books and numerous newspaper columns on the remarkable story of this rocky outpost in the south-western Pacific Ocean.
Dr Nobbs is a graduate of the universities of Auckland, London and Cambridge, in natural science, economics and economic development respectively. He has had a career in both the private sector as a consultant, and as a public servant at local, state, national and international levels. He now lives on Norfolk Island, where he was born.
Communiqué 10 March 2026 and submission Chicanery, Folly: An Assessment and an Appeal
Dr Nobbs has written an appeal to the Prime Minister, summarised in this media release. The substantive essay is entitled “The Australian Government and Norfolk Island Governance: Chicanery, Folly. An Assessment and an Appeal”, which deals with the political relationship between the Commonwealth and Norfolk Island over recent years. A copy has been sent to the Prime Minister, Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, requesting his intervention. The essay is 28pp plus 7pp references and appendices. Dr Nobbs has invitd the public to read the essay, and be in contact to discuss: governancenorfolk@gmail.com.
Submissions to authorities
Revenue sources and economic viability of the Norfolk Island Regional Council and the operation of local government. A submission to the 2023 Joint Standing Committee on National Capital and External Territories Inquiry. 24 March 2023.
Ian Bowie presented a series of lectures to classes in Bowral New South Wales and has generously made them available to the Island.
Introduction – Norf’k Island Tiny Territory (200 KB)
Norf’k 2024 Presentation – Part I (91 MB) PDF version (12 MB)
Norf’k 2024 Presentation – Part II (58 MB) PDF version (7 MB)
Norf’k 2024 Presentation – Part III (86 MB) PDF version (7 MB)
Norf’k 2024 Presentation – Part IV (76 MB) PDF version (8 MB)
Introduction – Polynesia Pacific 2022 (200 KB)
Polynesia Pacific 2022 – Part I (72 MB) PDF version (13 MB)
Polynesia Pacific 2022 – Part II (38 MB) PDF version (11 MB)
Polynesia Pacific 2022 – Part III (32 MB) PDF version (10 MB)
Polynesia Pacific 2022 – Part IV (33 MB) PDF version (12 MB)
Copyright notice
Ian has advised:
“Because the collection may be of more general interest, I am offering it to the island Library and Museum for public use. I will not publish any of the material from my presentations but as my offer will put it into the public domain I hope that as a courtesy users will reference online sources which I have noted on some slides and acknowledge me as the compiler of the collection (and the unnamed source of many slides)”.
Suffer me not O Lord
To waste this day in Sin or Folly
But let me Worship thee with much Delight
Teach me to Know more of Thee
And to serve thee better than ever I had done before
That I may be fitter to Dwell in heaven
Where thy Worship and Service are Everlasting
Amen
Then shall the King say unto them
On His right hand –
Come ye blessed of my father
Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you
From the foundation of the world.
I was hunger’d, and ye gave me meat,
I was thirsty and ye gave me drink,
I was a stranger and ye took me in,
Naked and ye clothed me,
I was sick and ye visited me,
I was in prison and ye came unto me.
Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one
Of the least of these my brethren
Ye have done it unto me,
Ye have done it unto me.
Norfolk Islander Rick Kleiner has posted a thoughtful submission on population control and budgeting.
Zed Zawalski lived in Gundaroo, a village near Canberra. A planned sailing voyage around the world was thwarted by COVID which brought him to Norfolk Island instead. He sold his boat and bought a house. He spent four lovely years on Norfolk Island and made many friends.
A remembrance ceremony was held at the Knowledge and Learning Centre on Saturday, 26 October 2024, with Zed’s children Zac and Deni presiding.
David Dane spoke in Z’s memory and has agreed to allow his eulogy to be published here.
Friends and relatives of Zed are cordially invited to send anecdotal, photographic or voice recordings of Zed’s life to secretary AT knowledgecentre.nf to upload here.
Dr Felicity Cutten is a scientist and freelance writer who has published popular science, short stories, poetry and short fiction. She has a PhD from McGill University, Montreal, Canada and was Assistant Professor of Entomology at its agricultural college for seven years. This was followed by thirty years of teaching senior biology and general science in New Zealand. She worked for six years as field assistant with geologists mapping landforms in outback Western Australia. She has also developed an olive orchard. She has a life-long interest in the natural sciences, ecology and the effects of human activities on the natural world.
In late 2024 she visited Norfolk Island and recorded her observations in this charming report – part natural history, part travelogue, part commentary on local affairs.
(Norfolk Island is administered by the Commonwealth of Australia. Health and education services are provided by the Queensland Government under contract to the Commonwealth. It is deemed by The Royal Society of Queensland to lie within Queensland for the purpose of publishing scientific articles).
