{{Short description|Australian Christian bookseller}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}} {{Use Australian English|date=January 2014}} {{Infobox company | name = Koorong | logo = Koorong-Red.png | logo_size = 200px | parent = Excelsia University College | website = {{URL|https://koorong.com/}} | founded = 1978 | founders = Bruce and Olive Bootes | hq_location_city = Sydney | hq_location_country = Australia | num_locations = 15 }}
'''Koorong''' is a Christian bookstore chain operating across Australia. It is the largest retailer of Bibles, Christian books and media in Australia. It is owned by Excelsia University College. Koorong currently operates online and at 15 stores across the country.
==History== Koorong began as a family-owned company over 40 years ago<ref>{{cite web | last = ASIC | title = Company Name Search | url = http://www.search.asic.gov.au/cgi-bin/gns030c?acn=001583759&juris=9&hdtext=ACN&srchsrc=1 | accessdate = 2008-11-05 }}</ref> in Marsfield, Sydney, in the garage of the Koorong Street home of Bruce Bootes - a retired veterinarian and Reformed Baptist pastor - and his wife Olive.<ref>See the [http://www.koorong.com/info/faq/generalfaq.jsp Koorong General FAQ webpage] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729184419/http://www.koorong.com/info/faq/generalfaq.jsp |date=29 July 2016 }}. Retrieved on 8 May 2009.</ref> In 1978, their son, Paul began the management of his family's bookshop business.<ref>See a brief profile of Paul Bootes on [http://www.gma-anz.org/gma-board.cfm the Gospel Music Association Board Profile webpage] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228082343/http://www.gma-anz.org/gma-board.cfm |date=28 February 2009 }}. Retrieved on 8 May 2009.</ref>
Koorong opened their first Sydney store in Ryedale Road, West Ryde in 1978, moving to larger premises in West Parade, West Ryde in 1995.<ref>See the [http://orders.koorong.com/info/general/history.jsp Koorong History page] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111044728/http://orders.koorong.com/info/general/history.jsp |date=11 January 2012 }} for these dates.</ref> In August 2005, Koorong took over the three Church Army bookstores at Newcastle, Tamworth and Gosford.<ref>See the [http://www.churcharmy.com.au/Resources/Pioneer_Aug05.pdf Church Army August 2005 newsletter.] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718232650/http://www.churcharmy.com.au/Resources/Pioneer_Aug05.pdf |date=18 July 2008 }} Retrieved on 7 May 2009.</ref> Koorong now operates 14 stores across Australia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.koorong.com/stores|title=Koorong: Stores|last=|first=|date=|website=Koorong|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=15 April 2020}}</ref> including Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Fyshwick, Toowoomba and Launceston, with approximately 400 staff, Australia-wide<ref>As reported on 2 August 2005 in a [http://www.cio.com.au/article/136759/koorong_spreads_word_distributed_mitel_ip_telephony_contact_centre_solution Mitel Press Release] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219031927/http://www.cio.com.au/article/136759/koorong_spreads_word_distributed_mitel_ip_telephony_contact_centre_solution |date=19 February 2014 }}. Retrieved on 7 May 2009.</ref> and a brochure mailing list of about 120,000.<ref>Koorong also operates a busy online store.
As at November 2004, the [http://ausprayernet.org.au/newsletter/DisplayNewsletter.php?e_id=00000000595 Australian Prayer Network] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060815/http://ausprayernet.org.au/newsletter/DisplayNewsletter.php?e_id=00000000595 |date=4 March 2016 }} thanked Koorong for mailing out its prayer newsletter in Koorong's monthly catalogue, with a size of 120,000. Retrieved on 11 May 2009. The [http://www.mitel.com/differentinretail/koorong.html August 2005 Mitel case study] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070824112048/http://www.mitel.com/differentinretail/koorong.html |date=24 August 2007 }} also gave a figure of about 120,000. Retrieved on 12 May 2009.</ref>
Koorong was described in 1994 as theologically conservative in terms of the books it sold, which was consistent with its Reformed Baptist roots.<ref>See the [http://www.aare.edu.au/94pap/longr94344.txt Association for Research in Education 1994 paper by Robert Long] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328064207/http://www.aare.edu.au/94pap/longr94344.txt |date=28 March 2012 }}. Retrieved on 11 May 2009.</ref> Since that time, Koorong's product range has expanded<ref>Koorong advertises on its website that it has 150,000 Christian products.</ref> to a broader coverage of the diverse sub-groups and movements associated with contemporary evangelical Christianity, including, for example: Church Growth movement, Charismatic Movement, Progressive Christianity, neo-Calvinism, Emerging church, and the Missional Church movement. Denominational streams represented include Reformed/Presbyterian, Baptist, Anglican, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Anabaptist, and Wesleyan.
[[File:Koorong Blackburn.jpg|thumb|upright|A Koorong bookstore in the Melbourne suburb of Blackburn]]
In addition to a comprehensive range of Bibles, the subject categories and themes of Koorong's product range include: practical guidance on Christian living; popular devotionals; apologetics; academic theology and biblical studies; ministry resources; romance, suspense, and historical fiction; inspirational giftware; classic authors; Bible reference works and commentaries; contemporary worship music.<ref>See {{cite web|url=http://www.koorong.com/ |title=New & Bestselling Christian products. Buy Christian products Online from Koorong |accessdate=2007-09-15 |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229063023/https://www.koorong.com/ |archivedate=29 December 2016 |df=dmy }}</ref>
In December 2009 Koorong purchased UK-based book publisher Authentic Media and Paternoster Publishers from IBS-STL.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stldistribution.blogspot.com/2009/12/ibs-stl-uk-trade-annoucement.html |title=STL Distribution: IBS-STL UK Trade Announcement|date=21 December 2009}}</ref> In 2014, Koorong acquired a significant share of BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC, with a creative HQ based in Minneapolis.
In August 2015 Koorong was acquired by Bible Society Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apmagonline.org/2015/08/17/bible-society-australia-partners-with-koorong-in-match-made-in-heaven/|title=Bible Society Australia partners with Koorong in match made in heaven|date=17 August 2015|publisher=}}</ref> Bible Society Australia's CEO Greg Clarke had said: "We will now be able to share our important Bible work with, and garner support from, Koorong customers. What’s more, those who shop at Koorong can now know that their purchases will fund even more important Bible mission projects here and around the world.".<ref>See [http://www.biblesociety.org.au/news/bible-society-australia-acquires-koorong-in-partnership-to-increase-access-to-gods-word#sthash.igoYOhBJ.dpuf Bible Society Australia acquires Koorong in partnership to increase access to God’s word.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316101634/http://www.biblesociety.org.au/news/bible-society-australia-acquires-koorong-in-partnership-to-increase-access-to-gods-word |date=16 March 2016 }} Retrieved on 17 August 2015.</ref> The Bootes family retained ownership of Authentic Media, Paternoster Press and their share of BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC. The purchase of Koorong Books Pty Limited and Crossroads Pty Limited had a cost of $6.5 million.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Bible Society Australia and its controlled entities |title=Financial Report For the Year Ended 31 December 2015 |url=https://acncpubfilesprodstorage.blob.core.windows.net/public/0711a269-3aaf-e811-a961-000d3ad24182-bc448be3-ded5-4aea-856d-9d6940ab5352-Group%20Financial%20Report-8189ee38-51b0-e811-a961-000d3ad24182-Bible_Society_Australia_ACNC_GROUP_2015GRPAFR.pdf |publisher=ACNC |access-date=27 January 2025 |page=23 |date=31 December 2015}}</ref>
After 40 years in the Christian bookselling industry, Paul Bootes retired as managing director of Koorong in July 2017 and his brother, Rob Bootes became CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eternitynews.com.au/australia/koorong-ceo-we-like-the-notion-that-ideas-can-fight-it-out-graciously-on-the-shelves/|title=Koorong CEO: 'We like the notion that ideas can fight it out graciously on the shelves'|date=8 June 2017 |publisher=}}</ref> In July 2018, after Rob Bootes stepped down, David Foster took over the reins at Koorong as general manager.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.biblesociety.org.au/media/bible-society-appoints-david-foster-head-koorong/|title=Bible Society appoints David Foster to head Koorong - Bible Society Australia|date=16 July 2018}}</ref> In February 2020 Koorong announced a brand refresh across digital platforms and stores.
Koorong was acquired by Excelsia University College, effective 31 March 2025.<ref name="Auto8G-18">{{Cite web |last=Pang |first=Sophie |date=2025-03-24 |title=Koorong’s Next Chapter: Excelsia University College to Lead Australia’s Largest Christian Retailer |url=https://excelsia.edu.au/koorongs-next-chapter-excelsia-university-college-to-lead-australias-largest-christian-retailer/ |access-date=2025-04-02 |website=Excelsia University College |language=en}}</ref> Richard Grellman, Deputy Chair, Excelsia University College commented:
{{blockquote|“Koorong has faithfully served the Christian community for over 40 years, and we are deeply committed to ensuring it flourishes for the next 40 and beyond. EUC brings a faith-driven vision and strong leadership that will build upon Koorong’s rich heritage, strengthening its role as Australia’s leading Christian retailer and expanding its ability to serve the church and individual Christians across the nation.”<ref name="Auto8G-18"/>}}
==References== <references />
==External links== *{{Official website}}
{{Christianity in Australia}}
Category:Christian organisations based in Australia Category:Bookshops of Australia Category:Christian mass media companies Category:Companies based in Sydney Category:Retail companies established in 1978 Category:1978 establishments in Australia Category:Marsfield, New South Wales