The Royal Australian Mint in Canberra has opened an exhibition featuring Australia’s much-loved television puppet, Mr Squiggle.
Titled Mr Squiggle the Man from the Moon, the exhibition celebrates 60 years of Mr Squiggle and his creator, Norman Hetherington.
It features Mr Hetherington’s inspiring work, including a display of puppets of Mr Squiggle and his friends as depicted on the Mint’s recently released limited edition commemorative coins in collaboration with Woolworths.
The exhibition includes children’s letters to Mr Squiggle, script books, original artwork and a portrait of Mr Hetherington by Kate Rae, loaned by the National Portrait Gallery of Australia.
The exhibition was launched by Mr Hetherington’s daughter, Rebecca and the Chief Executive of the Mint, Ross MacDiarmid.
Mr MacDiarmid said the Mint was running this “vibrant and meaningful exhibition” to share the story behind Mr Squiggle and the recently released coin collection, with the public.
Ms Hetherington said people attending the exhibition would see some special items from her father’s collection.
“There’s a lot to choose from as my father liked to keep things, but I think the Mint has chosen some gems to be part of this exhibition,” Ms Hetherington said.
“I hope that visitors to the Mint really enjoy a nostalgic glimpse of my father’s work and Mr Squiggle himself.”
The Mint has made a staggered release of four $2 commemorative coin designs portraying Mr Squiggle and his friends, Gus the Snail, Bill the Steam Shovel and Blackboard.
