This issue of The Museum is inspired by the whimsical world of Norman Hetherington, creator of the iconic Mr Squiggle the beloved puppet with a pencil for a nose. Join us as we explore the magic of play, with a special focus on Hetheringtons creative legacy and his delightful cast of characters. The issue also serves as a companion to our major winter exhibition Mr Squiggle and Friends.

Selected contents:

• Sophie Jensen speaks with Rebecca Hetherington Normans daughter and Mr Squiggles final on-screen companion about her fathers legacy and the remarkable collection of puppets he created, now housed in the Museums collection.
• Coen Ramalli traces Norman Hetheringtons early path, from his military service entertaining the troops in the Second World War to drawing cartoons forThe Bulletin, and finally to creatingMr Squiggle the beloved childrens program that ran for four decades.
• Danielle Cassar and Martha Sear introduce us to Normans colourful cast, from Mr Squiggle himself to the dependable Rocket and good-hearted Bill Steamshovel.
• Karen Hethey speaks of working with First Nations Elders and communities to co-create puppets and bring Country, songlines and storytelling to life.
• Laura Cook delves into the Museum’s broader collection to examine the rich inner lives of children through the toys they once owned.
• Suzanne Gibson and Henry Buckenham show how the nations biggest stories can shape the lives of its smallest people through key objects from the Museum’s newly redeveloped Landmarks gallery.
• Kate Morshel reflects on nostalgia and what it can tell us about childhood, memory and connection and its role in museum practice and interpretation.
• Nicole McLennan revisitsThe Magic Pudding and the theatre puppets it inspired now held in the Museums National Historical Collection.
• Candace Richards journeys through the history of board games from ancient Egypt and China to modern day Monopoly, Elizabeth Magies pointed critique of capitalism.

Publication details
ISSN 2200-2472
96 pages
National Museum of Australia July 2025
Cover: Mr Squiggle by Norman Hetherington