Everyone has a favourite Hairy Maclary character and they were all talked about today as families flocked to the Storytime Festival with author Dame Lynley Dodd.
The popular event at Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery saw three generations celebrating the story of the illustrator and writer’s life.
Bundaberg Region impresses Lynley Dodd
Dame Lynley said it was her first time in Bundaberg and she had enjoyed the experience.
Hairy Maclary was first published in 1982 and there were five more books written by the children’s author beforehand.
“It’s lovely to see all ages here this morning,” Dame Lynley said.
While in the Bundaberg Region, Dame Lynley said she was lucky to visit Mon Repos and learn more about the turtles that hatch here.
“It’s fascinating to hear all about the loggerhead turtles that nest in the area, after having written The Smallest Turtle many years ago,” she said.
“I didn’t realise Bundaberg was the area for these turtles.
“It must be so exciting for the local children who get involved, learning about the turtles and how to look after them.”
Bundaberg Regional Council programs officer Rebecca MacLean said about 500 people had turned out to the Storytime Festival community event.
“Events like these celebrate literacy and our exhibitions,” Rebecca said.
“It’s about bringing the community together through the arts to meet Lynley and check out the exhibition.”
Bundaberg’s McCay family are all big fans of Hairy Maclary and it was hard to say which character they liked best.
Abigail McCay, 6, definitely loves Hairy Maclary, while younger brother Oliver said it was Zachary Quack who he adores most.
Their mum Sue said events like the Storytime Festival are important and she was thrilled one had been held in Bundaberg.
Young fan from Gin Gin left speechless
Gin Gin’s Karissa Noble was speechless as she received a hug from her favourite author.
Bundaberg Regional Council community and cultural services portfolio spokesperson Judy Peters attended the sold-out “Evening with Lynley Dodd” yesterday and said to hear the story behind the writer’s life was amazing.
“To be part of the conversation of her life, learning about the imagination that is put into each story, was wonderful,” Cr Peters said.
“The books are reader friendly with a focus on children and that’s shown through not just the illustration and writing, but through the presentation of the book, which is landscape opposed to portrait.”
- Hairy Maclary leaves Donaldson’s Dairy for a trip to Bundaberg
