Periodically my name appears in lists of Australian Journalists On Twitter (like this one). This leaves me slightly bemused. While I do have skills which would translate nicely into journalism I don’t have any journalism credits. Or rather, I didn’t think I did. Then I found my first – and only – print media byline!
Bomaderry Creek
We went to Bomaderry Creek.
I was tired.
Number 4 was a lookout and so was number 11 on the map.
I saw the waterfall. It was fast. The gum nuts looked like Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, and the rocks looked like Mrs. Snake’s dungeon.
John Lacey 7
Clearly May Gibbs’ stories had a profound impact on my young mind.
I don’t expect anyone outside of Australia will really understand the notion of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Infact the following video of a stage production of the Gibbs characters may only confuse the situation further, but it’s better than nothing…
Interestingly my nephew recently had his parent-teacher interview, and his parents were overjoyed by what his teacher told them. His teacher sent his parents away with some photographs of him in class, one of which was a portrait of him sitting beside two little gumnut characters. “Snugglepot and Cuddlepie!” I exclaimed. My young nephew couldn’t believe I knew who these characters were.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you remember how excited I was when I found Bottersnikes and Gumbles in the High School library?
Daniel,
I do remember that! I wonder if I could find that in the local library. I’ll have to check it out.