Published on: October 2024
Record: HANSARD-1323879322-146677
May Gibbs' Cartoon Turns 100
Ms FELICITY WILSON (North Shore)
—Speaker This year marks the 100th birthday of iconic Australian cartoon strip Bib and Bub. Bib and Bub was authored and illustrated by Neutral Bay local May Gibbs, Australia's first female cartoonist. May Gibbs' first Bib and Bub strip ran from 3 August 1924 until 1967. It remains the longest-running cartoon strips in our country's history. One hundred years since the first appearance of Bib and Bub in Sydney's Sunday News, a new exhibition is open to the public at May Gibbs' original heritage listed cottage in Neutral Bay. The waterfront cottage "Nutcote" has beautifully preserved the history of May Gibbs' life and illustrations through the hard work of the May Gibbs Foundation. May can be credited for some of the most quintessentially Australian illustrations and characters, including Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, the Gumnut Babies, Mrs Kookaburra, and the Big Bad Banksia Men. I recognise May Gibbs' immense impact on Australian history and culture and am thrilled to see the lasting impact her stories and illustrations have had on our community. I thank the volunteers of the May Gibbs Foundation for all the wonderful work they do ensuring none of May's work is lost.