Nutcote annual fair this Sunday

8 November 2024

The historic home of Australian author and illustrator May Gibbs, Nutcote, will host its annual Gumnut Fair on Sunday, 17 November 2024. This year’s event at the Neutral Bay site, which served as Gibbs’ residence and studio for 44 years, aims to honour her literary legacy while raising essential funds to support the museum’s continued operations.

Nutcote, built in 1925 and now approaching its centenary, stands as a tribute to Gibbs’ contributions to Australian literature and culture, with her most notable work, The Complete Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie, celebrated as an iconic part of Australian childhood.

The Gumnut Fair will feature a range of family-oriented activities, including a May Gibbs raffle and prize wheel, storytelling sessions, children’s craft, face painting, and guided tours of Gibbs’ historic home. Traditional homemade cakes, a sausage sizzle, and other treats will also be on offer, promising a day suited to both nostalgia and community engagement.

Proceeds from the event are set to support the Nutcote Trust’s ongoing mission to preserve Gibbs’ legacy for future generations. Megan Sadler, Nutcote’s manager, emphasised the significance of the fair: “Every year, the Gumnut Fair brings together our community to celebrate the whimsical world of May Gibbs. We invite everyone to join us for a day of fun, creativity, and support for our mission to keep May’s spirit alive.”

As Nutcote approaches its 100th year, the importance of preserving Gibbs’ legacy has grown, with the Gumnut Fair presenting an opportunity for the public to contribute to maintaining the museum and its educational offerings. Further details on the event and raffle prizes are available on the Nutcote website.