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Honouring the Stories of May Gibbs

Published on: November 2021

Record: HANSARD-1323879322-120462

Honouring the Stories of May Gibbs

Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore)

—Speaker, Nutcote, the home of Australia's foremost children's author and illustrator, May Gibbs, whose passion and love of reading and writing impacted so many across the country, is located in Neutral Bay. May Gibbs was a phenomenal story writer who had many popular books that still float around Australian households. 'Snugglepot and Cuddlepie' was one of her major successes. In 1921, in the third book of her 'Snugglepot and Cuddlepie' series, she created an underwater creature called 'Little Obelia' and immersed readers in an imaginary marine world full of 'fish folk' with colourful characters and incredibly detailed illustrations. One hundred years on, a new exhibition at Nutcote showcases 'Little Obelia' along with the people and projects that she has inspired. The underwater imaginings have inspired generations of marine biologists. The 'Little Obelia' and underwater activity exhibition was opened by NSW Governor, Margaret Beazley. I wish to recognise the rich history of May Gibbs' stories and her contribution to Australia.