Long before Bottersnikes and Gumbles became a beloved Australian children’s book series and animated television show, the strange little bush creatures first came to life among the rocks and scrub of Kariong.

Now, those stories, along with memories of bushfires, flower farms and community life, will be celebrated as the Kariong Progress Association marks its 80th anniversary later this month.

The milestone event on Sunday, May 24, will bring together residents past and present to share memories and celebrate eight decades of community history.

Organisers say one of the suburb’s most famous former residents was author Sam Wakefield, who created the Bottersnikes and Gumbles stories while living on a bush property near Floralands.

A spokesperson said the tales began as bedtime stories for his children before his wife encouraged him to write them down.

Inspired by the Kariong bushland surrounding the family home, the stories followed the adventures of the cheerful Gumbles and grumpy Bottersnikes while quietly promoting environmental themes well ahead of their time.

The books, illustrated by Wakefield’s friend Desmond Digby, went on to become an Australian classic.

“And who knew that it all started in Kariong,” the spokesperson said.

Wakefield was also deeply involved in the local community as a fruit and vegetable grower, a long-time member of the Kariong Progress Association, and the captain of the Kariong Bushfire Brigade from 1958 to 1978.

Long-time resident Bob Pankhurst remembers Wakefield’s old fire truck fondly.

“Sam Wakefield’s canvas-topped Land Rover was Kariong Bushfire Brigade’s fire truck in the 60s and 70s,” he said.

“It got burnt in a couple of fires — it had burn holes all over the top of it.”

Former resident Ian Munro also recalled Wakefield’s generosity and famous produce.

“Sam Wakefield grew the best peaches,” he said.

“He would give me a box when I welded up some of his farm machinery.”

The anniversary celebrations will include a free sausage sizzle, face painting, live music, guest speakers and historical displays at the Kariong Progress Hall on Dandaloo St.

Visitors will also be able to explore historic photographs, newspaper clippings and memorabilia documenting Kariong’s transformation from a small rural community of dirt roads and flower farms into the growing suburb it is today.

The event will also feature the launch of the commemorative booklet Kariong Then and Now.

The free community celebration runs from 1pm-5pm with official proceedings beginning at 2pm.

This article appeared in Coast Community News, 21 May 2026.