{
  "id": 1626144,
  "title": "Better late than never as high school receives library book 72 years late",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/better-late-than-never-as-high-school-receives-library-book-72-years",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T03:40:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-18/murray-bridge-high-school-receives-overdue-book-after-72-years/107046700"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An 82-year-old man named Malcolm Blight finally returned a library book he borrowed 72 years ago from Murray Bridge High School. The book, \"The Kon-Tiki Expedition\" by Norwegian adventurer Thor Heyerdahl, inspired Blight to trek, climb, and canoe across South Australia. He discovered the Antiquities of Athens in a tea chest at a library in New South Wales, which prompted him to return \"The Kon-Tiki Expedition\". Blight was happy to finally return the overdue book and was pleasantly surprised when the receptionist at his old high school expressed delight at receiving such an old item. The book will be displayed in the school's library for students and staff to enjoy.",
  "summary": "Murray Bridge's Malcolm Blight held on to the adventurous The Kon-Tiki Expedition for more than 70 years, during which time he was inspired to undertake several journeys of his own.",
  "key_points": [
    "82-year-old Malcolm Blight returned overdue library book 72 years late.",
    "Book, \"The Kon-Tiki Expedition\" by Thor Heyerdahl, inspired Blight's adventures.",
    "Book will be displayed in Murray Bridge High School library."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The long-overdue return of The Kon-Tiki Expedition brings closure to a remarkable story, allowing the high school to showcase an inspiring book that sparked adventure in one of its former students.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}