Penguin Parade graces Anglesea Beach

MORE than 100 penguins lined Anglesea’s beaches last Tuesday at the first ever Anglesea Penguin Parade.

Thanks to approximately 20 penguin moulds, the efforts of five local families and numerous onlookers, a delightful display of 101 sand penguins at Anglesea Beach made for a fun morning on the Great Ocean Road.

The roots of the ‘Sand Sculpture Penguin Parade’ date back to late-August last year when eight-year-old Willow Trickett first started gaining attention for her own sand penguins she had started displaying with encouraging messages.

Willow’s mother Mandy, owner and founder of the Anglesea Indoor Market, thought it would be worth creating more of a community event based off her daughter’s sculpting.

“People wanted moulds to make penguins of their own, so we bought some in for them,” Ms Trickett said.

“Willow then thought it would be a good idea to start gathering people to help make penguin parades during the summer, and it just became more popular, we then had the idea to begin an annual parade.”

Following last Tuesday’s turnout and the reception Ms Trickett has received since, going forward the Penguin Parade will look to become a bigger and annual event.

Residents and interested parties are already requesting more moulds from the market, which has prompted community groups in both Melbourne and Geelong to start their own parades.

“Overall, it was a great day filled with excitement. Just little things like the beak or wing staying on the penguins just seemed to put a smile on everybody’s faces,” Ms Trickett said.

“This whole idea stemmed from Willow wanting to make people smile and people walking along the beach have given heaps of great feedback.

“It’s been good for her, good for me and we think good for the community.”

Ms Trickett has already begun ordering future batches of penguin moulds for people to start constructing their own parades.

The moulds, which are worth $20, will be available from Ms Trickett’s Anglesea Indoor Market at 143c Great Ocean Road.

To get in touch, reach out to Ms Trickett’s mobile at 0400 166 905 or via the market’s Facebook page.