Mr Squiggle and Friends

On display at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra until 13 Oct 2025 Mr Squiggle and Friends is a tribute to Norman Hetherington’s remarkable career. With 300 objects including costumes, props and sets, artworks and 90 puppets it’s much more than just about Mr Squiggle, although this is his most well-known creation.

Wandering around the displays takes you from his early years as a cartoonist, war artist and performer, to creating the children’s television program, Mr Squiggle and Friends.

Having grown up watching Mr Squiggle, we knew about these puppets (Blackboard and Bill the Steamshovel), but not Norman’s history and other creations. This was very much reliving one’s childhood. There were even old Mr Squiggle Shows running on display screens.

A great way to relive TV before CGI and AI took over. Even better, access is free, although it is recommended that you book tickets in advance, to ensure you get in.

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