Nancy Whittaker, Tarrangower Times
Tomorrow will be the start of The Great Teddy Bear Adventure (GTBA) in Maldon, from 10am – 4pm. Main Street and High Street will be awash with about 35 delightful Teddy Bear window displays, while according to Felicity Howard the Progress Hall will resemble an enchanted forest. It will be filled with live music, storytelling, and a teddy bear parade with prizes!
So many people have been involved in the adventure including about seven local primary schools, Maldon Preschool, local shopkeepers, and other interested locals. Harcourt Primary has created red and white Magic Mushrooms including one that is a metre wide for the enchanted forest. Artist Jennifer Barnett will be conducting art workshops with everything donated so each child who participates can make a Wanted Poster or a framed painting of a teddy.
The GTBA was developed as a way of bringing people back to a more family friendly place after the devastating bushfires, and to promote positivity in an uncertain world. The entire event is totally free.
Who doesn’t love a teddy? Like all kids I once had a bear, not a teddy bear, but a little koala bear which while once furry, had only a few hairs around his ears, well before there was a teddy bear’s hospital. He is long since gone in the tragic Wridgways Warehouse fire in 1969. There will be a Teddy Bear Hospital in the enchanted forest.
In the Maldon CBD (otherwise known as Main Street and High Street) Catherine Tait is placing teddy bears in various shop windows. In her past life Catherine was an illustratorfor a few bear makers. And she did some collectableplates in America for Reco in the mid 1990s, when bears were huge.
During the 1990s and early 2000s, the growing enthusiasm for teddy bears created exciting opportunities for her. Catherine received many commissions from bear makers and collectors, painting both handcrafted creations and treasured antique bears. Her work extended internationally when she designed limited-edition collectable plates for the American company Reco, together with prints, cards, and stationery for Settlers Bears.
Catherine also created her own range of bears and limited-edition prints under the title Bloomfields Bears, developing charming stories around a delightful family of bears that captured the imagination of collectors and bear lovers alike. She said, “I have got them out of mothballs and will be placing them in several shop windows in Maldon to advertise GTBA on 11 July.”
In fact, Catherine once wrote a short history titled Ted Through The Ages, which chronicled teddy bears from 30,000 BC right though to Pop Art in the 60s.
Naughty Bear – Catherine Tait – Oil on Canvas; Laundry Bear – Catherine Tait – Oil on Canvas; The chair bear of the GTBA Committee.
There will be actual teddies in the shop windows which were dressed by Catherine when her children were young, including Uncle Ted in Pat and Elsie, and Emma Bear in Pure Gold on the corner of Spring Street. As well as a big display in the former Teddy and Me shop in High Street. Not to mention the Bushell’s Shop in Templeton Street, the owner will be doing one of her inimitable displays using bears. Many local residents, including Amanda at Palm House as well as most shop keepers will be placing teddies in their front windows to be lit up at night.
The ubiquitous teddies will be everywhere, largely due to so many people responding to the lively intrapreneur organisers’ original concept. Rocky and June have constructed special tipis to be covered with magical elements by the Maldon pre-schoolers, inside the enchanted forest. Marilyn formerly of Teddy and Me has donated several from her collection for prizes and displays. There will be a Teddy Bears Picnic in the shop next to the newsagent. And Rachel Devine has constructed an archway entrance to the Progress Hall and a window display from cardboard, toilet paper wrapping paper, pompoms and plastic tablecloths.
Unicorn made by Elphinstone Primary School students; Giant flowers made by Carisbrook and Taradale Primary schools; Collingwood Girls School teenagers in 1978 with Ingi my knitted bear. Photos courtesy Tarrangower Times
There will be a treasure hunt with clues in the various shop windows. With bear footprints everywhere to follow to each display. The children have to find up to 10 clues to win prizes made possible by generous donations from the Lolly Shop and Maldon Fudge and Ice Creamery. While Maldon Primary school students will help judge the teddy bear window displays
The Great Maldon Teddy Bear Adventure is a community project completely assembled by volunteers, students, artists, community clubs, performers, and donated services. It is auspiced by the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre. The event takes place during the Victorian winter school holidays, and is a vital part of the Maldon Winter Festival. Even MGM is involved, screening the Paddington 2 movie. Not to mention a three metre tall bear sponsored by Warral Honey will be wandering the streets to excite the kids.
It all happens tomorrow, so don’t miss out!
This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 10 July 2026.
