Topical 2/5/24

The beloved children’s television puppet Mr Squiggle, and his friends Blackboard, Rocket, Bill Steamshovel and Gus the Snail have been acquired by the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. Mr Squiggle made his debut on Australian television 65 years ago. The original Mr Squiggle marionette and other objects, including fellow puppets, artworks, scripts, costumes, props, sets, production notes, merchandise and audio-visual material is now housed at the Museum. The show aired until 1999 and over the years was originally black and white until colour television arrived. Mr Squiggle entertained children by turning the ‘squiggles’ he would be sent in from around the country into pictures, with the help of his friend Blackboard. Created by Norman Hetherington, the collection is a significant addition to the National Historical Collection. Norman’s daughter Rebecca Hetherington, known to children as ‘Miss Rebecca’ was the last presenter on the show and decided to hand over the collection to the Museum.