THE return of award-winning author Richard Flanagan to his hometown of Longford was met with excitement from the Northern Midlands community.
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That was particularly the case for a group of library technicians from Longford, Campbell Town and Westbury.
Flanagan was given a civic reception by Northern Midlands Council on Thursday, a meeting that saw him presented with the key to Longford.
Longford librarian Bev McGee said she was pleased to have been given the opportunity to speak with the author in person.
"We just had a laugh really, it was nice," Mrs McGee said.
"If you place one of his books on hold you might end up being 250th in line."
Flanagan said he was filled with appreciation for the reception.
"It is the greatest honour when the place you're from can take joy and pride on what you've done," he said.
"I never felt that thing that Tasmania stopped you from doing what you wanted.
"I always thought Tasmania was an invitation to dream — I always found it a beautiful and extraordinary place.
"All I ever tried to do was make stories about that beauty and wonder, that's all I've done."
Growing up in areas such as Longford and Rosebery on the state's West Coast provided inspiration, Flanagan said.
"I never grew up here thinking 'small' or 'less'," he said.
"Rosebery I just thought that was an extraordinary place, violent but extraordinary.
"A place like Rosebery has the oldest living thing on earth, just up there on Mount Reed.
"There's a universe of wonder if you open your eyes to it — I don't think it's about whether people come to live grand lives or are condemned to live small lives, it's just a matter of being true to yourself, isn't it?"
