Books, literature, art & design at South Seas Books, Port Elliot

Books, literature, art and design

Story Kelly Golding. Photography by John Laurie.

Page left and above: The relatively new and modern addition to South Seas Books at Port Elliot provides much-needed space for a growing selection of books in a stylish, light-filled space. Photo above by Jason Porter.

Sarah Taylor and Mark Laurie are in the middle of a friendly discussion when I meet them at South Seas Books as they sort through their selection of titles for FLM’s summer book feature. Their initial focus was on the covers and what will look good – a balance between fiction, crime and Australian authors.

But the deciding factor is less tangible; they must be books the pair have read and loved. Six titles each – not an easy feat for two bookloving souls in a room full to the brim with choices. With that task done, we walk to nearby Beaches Coffee Shop to chat about how things have evolved for this Port Elliot institution since FLM first spoke to the couple for issue one of this magazine, ten years ago.

The most noticeable change is the modern addition to the west side of the original stone house, which was completed three years ago. Looking at the book-lined walls and the central table stacked with fiction titles, it’s now hard to imagine how they ever did without the extra space. Friend and well-known South Australian architect Max Pritchard designed the extension which brings beams of natural light into the space. Max also designed Sarah and Mark’s home and he was their only choice when it came to creating the new addition.

It was Sarah’s dream to open a bookstore. ‘Originally my idea was to set the store up like a living room where you can sit and look at books while you have a coffee,’ she recalls fondly. ‘This obviously all changed during Covid and now it’s purely a bookstore with a takeaway coffee offering with the extension providing much needed space. We now have a dedicated section for fiction, non-fiction and a children’s area and there’s a lot more room for browsing making it easier for both customers and us. We are now full to the max, as we always are in the lead up to Christmas which is exciting.’

The main sellers at South Seas are literary fiction, children’s books, and what Sarah and Mark call ‘culture and ideas’, which includes feminist writing and books on climate change among a range of themes. Alongside those categories, they also hold an array of history, art and, of course, surfing books. Sport commands little shelf space, although you may find some popular titles around Christmas time.

Sarah and Mark took the opportunity to expand South Seas Books into South Seas Trading, when the chance to acquire the former police station across the road came up. It not only meant they could extend their offerings into art, craft and a mix of luxury fashion, it also gave >

Above: Across the street form South Seas Books – South Seas Trading houses art, cooking, design and gardening books along with homewares, designer clothing and a wonderful selection of curated art.

them the chance to preserve the mid-century building as part of Port Elliot’s history.

‘Having South Seas Trading across the road allowed us to move most of the giftware we used to have in the bookshop and expand on it. We’ve kept jigsaws, calendars and children’s toys in the bookstore, but we moved our art books over the road and there’s also a large selection of cooking and gardening books together with homewares which complement the books and a wonderful selection of curated art,’ says Sarah.

South Seas Trading also houses a quality selection of women’s clothing with a strong emphasis on Australian-made items. Mark curates the men’s fashion and chooses designs that are classic and that last for those (like him) who shop infrequently. Think French designers and Australian brands, in wool and cotton and cut in timeless designs. Over the past ten years, South Seas’ main clientele has always been the strong local Fleurieu community who return regularly to browse, buy and maybe attend one of the three book clubs run in store. School libraries have also been very supportive, like Encounter Lutheran, and the business returns the favour by supporting community writing competitions. Sarah and Mark, along with their valued team members Chrissie and Abby, hope to hold more events in the new year featuring South Australian authors as well as more interstate authors with borders opening up.

The extension has given them the space they need to truly realise Sarah’s original vision of the bookstore that allows you to linger and enjoy not only the books but the conversation that follows. For Sarah and Mark, chatting to people about books has always been the best part of the job, and it’s something they hope to enjoy for many years to come.

New paintings by Richard Maurovic

From December 26 through January

The Strand Gallery is delighted to show recent paintings by this internationally renowned artist. Richard’s work is hung in private and public galleries around the world and the paintings are highly collectable. This collection focuses on the Fleurieu and includes remarkable images from sometimes unremarkable subjects. Some pieces border on super realism whilst others are impressionistic renderings that bring life to ‘everyday’ scenes. Richard’s deft brushwork can impart personality to a Stobie pole.

41 The Strand Port Elliot Weekends and holidays 10.00 til 4.00 or by appointment call Sonya Hender on 0419 501 648

Alexandrina is home to vibrant communities where a high population of artists have chosen to live and work, making us a regional centre of culture in South Australia.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Reclaim* 1 December–2 January Signal Point Gallery Goolwa Wharf Precinct Dancing with Light* 1 December–9 January South Coast Regional Art Centre Goolwa Sinatra and Friends 17 December Centenary Hall Goolwa Alexandrina Council Collection* 15 January–12 February South Coast Regional Art Centre Goolwa Adelaide Hills Chamber Players Concerto Rhapsody Beethoven, Mozart, Vaughan Williams 20 January Centenary Hall Goolwa Days of Disco 18 February Centenary Hall Goolwa Goolwa Caravan* 13 March Garden of Honour, BF Laurie Lane, Goolwa Wharf Precinct HELLO - Erin Jae’s Tribute to Adele 18 March Centenary Hall Goolwa

*Free Event

For bookings and enquiries please visit events.alexandrina.com.au or call Council on 8555 7000. Alexandrina Council continues our arts and culture program in 2022. To view more upcoming events, visit alexandrina.sa.gov.au/events