From the moon to memory lane: Iconic children’s show marks its 65th anniversary
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As we celebrate the nostalgia of childhood television, it's hard not to reminisce about the iconic Australian children's TV show, Mr Squiggle, which marks its 65th anniversary this year.
Rebecca Hetherington, the last host of the show, was recently featured in a new exhibit that showcased a series of throwback photos, allowing fans to stroll down memory lane.
Rebecca, now 62, is the daughter of the show's creator, Norman Hetherington.
The exhibition, which opened at the National Museum in Canberra, includes the original Mr Squiggle puppet, costumes, props, and many photos that capture the show's essence.
Among the memorabilia, fans can see a fresh-faced Rebecca alongside the 'star' of the show, the marionette Mr Squiggle, in images that go back to the 1990s.
Back then, Rebecca sported a fashionable perm and a crew neck top, a look that was all the rage.
Today, Rebecca Hetherington doesn't look quite the same as she did when she was the face of Mr Squiggle.
Time has a way of transforming us all, and Rebecca is no exception.
Her style has evolved, and her hair no longer boasts the perm of the 90s.
Yet, her warm smile and the twinkle in her eye remain, a testament to the joy she brought to children across Australia for a decade.
In a recent interview, Rebecca revealed a touching detail about the show's beloved character, Mr Squiggle.
She noted that his distinctive appearance, with wild hair and big eyes, was based on her father, Norman Hetherington, who passed away in 2010.
‘I was looking through boxes of old photos and [realised] they [Mr Squiggle and Norman] had the same wild hair and big eyes,’ she shared.
She added, ‘It was wonderful working with (my) dad, he was a true visionary.’
Rebecca also reflected on her unique relationship with Mr Squiggle, joking that she ‘knew’ him even before she was born, as he is three years her senior.
Working on the show was not just a job for Rebecca but a family affair.
The scripts were penned by her mother, Margaret, and the show was a collaborative effort that brought the Hetherington family's creativity to Australian homes.
Mr Squiggle's format was simple yet captivating.
Children would send in their 'squiggles'—unfinished drawings—and Mr Squiggle, operated by Norman, would ingeniously turn them into complete pictures using his comically large ‘nose’, which resembled an oversized pencil.
Over the show's 40-year run, it's estimated that Norman Hetherington completed an astonishing 10,000 drawings.
The character of Mr Squiggle, who 'lived' on the moon at 93 Crater Crescent, became so beloved that in 2019, he was immortalised on a new $2 coin, with other characters from the show, including Gus the Snail, Bill Steamshovel, and Blackboard, featured in limited edition coins.
As we look back on the show's history and Rebecca Hetherington's role in it, we're reminded of the joy and creativity that Mr Squiggle brought into our lives.
Join our members as they take a trip down memory lane with this nostalgic show and their beloved Mr Squiggle.
Do you have memories of Mr Squiggle and Rebecca that you want to share? Did the show inspire you or your kids' creativity, and what does it mean to you today? Share your memories with us in the comments below!
Rebecca Hetherington, the last host of the show, was recently featured in a new exhibit that showcased a series of throwback photos, allowing fans to stroll down memory lane.
Rebecca, now 62, is the daughter of the show's creator, Norman Hetherington.
The exhibition, which opened at the National Museum in Canberra, includes the original Mr Squiggle puppet, costumes, props, and many photos that capture the show's essence.
Among the memorabilia, fans can see a fresh-faced Rebecca alongside the 'star' of the show, the marionette Mr Squiggle, in images that go back to the 1990s.
An exhibit in the National Museum in Canberra showcased photos of Rebecca Hetherington beside the marionette Mr Squiggle. Image Source: National Museum of Australia
Back then, Rebecca sported a fashionable perm and a crew neck top, a look that was all the rage.
Today, Rebecca Hetherington doesn't look quite the same as she did when she was the face of Mr Squiggle.
Time has a way of transforming us all, and Rebecca is no exception.
Her style has evolved, and her hair no longer boasts the perm of the 90s.
Yet, her warm smile and the twinkle in her eye remain, a testament to the joy she brought to children across Australia for a decade.
In a recent interview, Rebecca revealed a touching detail about the show's beloved character, Mr Squiggle.
She noted that his distinctive appearance, with wild hair and big eyes, was based on her father, Norman Hetherington, who passed away in 2010.
‘I was looking through boxes of old photos and [realised] they [Mr Squiggle and Norman] had the same wild hair and big eyes,’ she shared.
She added, ‘It was wonderful working with (my) dad, he was a true visionary.’
Rebecca also reflected on her unique relationship with Mr Squiggle, joking that she ‘knew’ him even before she was born, as he is three years her senior.
Working on the show was not just a job for Rebecca but a family affair.
The scripts were penned by her mother, Margaret, and the show was a collaborative effort that brought the Hetherington family's creativity to Australian homes.
Mr Squiggle's format was simple yet captivating.
Children would send in their 'squiggles'—unfinished drawings—and Mr Squiggle, operated by Norman, would ingeniously turn them into complete pictures using his comically large ‘nose’, which resembled an oversized pencil.
Over the show's 40-year run, it's estimated that Norman Hetherington completed an astonishing 10,000 drawings.
The character of Mr Squiggle, who 'lived' on the moon at 93 Crater Crescent, became so beloved that in 2019, he was immortalised on a new $2 coin, with other characters from the show, including Gus the Snail, Bill Steamshovel, and Blackboard, featured in limited edition coins.
As we look back on the show's history and Rebecca Hetherington's role in it, we're reminded of the joy and creativity that Mr Squiggle brought into our lives.
Join our members as they take a trip down memory lane with this nostalgic show and their beloved Mr Squiggle.
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