21 January 2003
Children's TV star Humphrey B Bear today hands over iconic Humphrey memorabilia including, reluctantly, his famous honeypot for the National Historical Collection held at the National Museum of Australia.
Humphrey's yellow bowtie and tartan vest, straw hat, joggers, striped nightcap and footage from his long running children's TV show will be also handed to the General Manager of Collections, Content and Technology, Freda Hanley.
Humphrey will attend the short ceremony in the Hall of the National Museum, beginning at 12.30pm today, and meet young Canberra fans who are welcome to attend.
Here's Humphrey is one of the world's longest running children's TV shows. With more than 3000 episodes under his ample girth, Humphrey is now seen in over 20 countries. He made his debut in May 1965 in the Adelaide studios of Channel Nine and has remained a beloved, curious and accident-prone four year old ever since. And he's computer literate.
'I am so excited that some of my favourite things are going to be in the National Museum,' said Mr Humphrey B Bear, by email. 'I can't wait to hear from all my friends visiting the Museum. It's all so very exciting.'
Humphrey will also be donating a life size autographed colour picture of himself and a prized early photograph of Humphrey with a young John Howard.
The handover coincides with the Museum's current temporary exhibition, Hickory Dickory Dock, which explores the props, sets and techniques of ABC TV's long running children's show, Play School.
'The Museum's National Historical Collection includes several collections of toys, costumes and props which relate to children's education and entertainment in Australia,' said Freda Hanley. 'Humphrey Bear has made a vital contribution to this area, one recognised by his three Logies and his Australia Day Citizenship Award in 1994. We are most grateful for Humphrey's memorabilia which will complement and extend our own collection by adding items of now such iconic important to the entertainment industry.'
For further information and images please contact (former Here's Humphrey presenter) Martin Portus at the National Museum on 02 6208 5351 or 0409 916 481 or email m.portus@nma.gov.au