Moving can be hard.
There’s the pain of saying goodbye. The expense of finding a new place. And the physical effort required to shift all your possessions.
Owners Duncan and Diana Johnston outside their new bookshop on Thursday morning.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Fortunately for the Hill of Content bookshop, that last ordeal was made a little easier on Thursday morning when hundreds of Melburnians formed a human chain along Bourke Street to pass thousands of titles from the old storefront to its new location.
The Age revealed last month that owners Diana and Duncan Johnston would move their business about 120 metres closer to Parliament House after they were forced out of the bookshop’s 103-year-old home.
Duncan Johnston said an author suggested a human chain would be a good way to move their sizable inventory, having seen a video of a similar feat online.
The bookshop then put out an online call for help, sparking interest from hundreds of long-time customers and passionate bookworms eager to volunteer.
“We’re just humbled by the response of people,” Diana Johnston said. “We’ve got 17,000 books to move.”
About 300 people braved the cold and occasional rain on Thursday morning to hand books up the hill towards parliament.
Most were devoted readers. Some were tradies passing by. Others were families on school holidays.
Many made friends in the line amid a cheerful atmosphere.
Volunteer Denise does her bit.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“I just saw the ad on the internet, and I really liked the community vibe of it,” said Phoebe Boatwood, who passed on books outside Pellegrini’s Espresso Bar.
“I wanted to help out an institution that’s been around for ages. And I love books – I’m passionate about reading – and I think this is such a beautiful event that brings people together.”
Next to her was Kate Benjamin from Donvale, in Melbourne’s east, who brought along her brother Luke, who lives in St Kilda.
“I was really attracted to the old-school idea of just asking for help. I feel like it just doesn’t happen as much as it should,” she said.
Phoebe Boatwood, 21, (left) met Kate Benjamin, 24, and Luke Benjamin, 27, in line as they passed on books.Credit: Photograph by Chris Hopkins
“And it’s lovely to see people do something for no personal benefit, just because they like the cause.”
The Hill of Content’s original three-storey heritage-listed building at 86 Bourke Street changed hands in April last year for $5.3 million.
“We were really upset when it sold,” said Diana Johnston, “because we knew straight away that, most probably, we wouldn’t be able to stay.”
Hill of Content’s former shop, where it had been since 1922.Credit: Aaron Francis
On January 7, the bookshop was told to vacate.
Luckily, the Johnstons were able to find a new home nearby at 32 Bourke Street.
Once the site of a 24-hour cafe, the new location needed renovation, but offered a similar- sized historic location.
“It was an absolute wreck,” Diana said. “But it’s come up really well.”
The owners’ son, Nick Johnston, is an architect and designed the new shop, which will have better accessibility while retaining many features from the old store.
“It’ll be the same, but it’ll be in the 21st century,” Diana said.
Volunteers help the Hill of Content move.Credit: Chris Hopkins
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.