A storybook that you can walk through? Immerse yourself in the true tale of Marea and the Queen’s Purse

The Museum of the Riverina’s new exhibition Marea and the Queen’s Purse is a unique opportunity to walk through the pages of a storybook – literally!

When museum curator Sophie Magnusson first heard the tale of Wagga milliner (hat maker) Marea Bright’s royal encounter, she took a unique approach to bring the story to life.

“I wanted to take the concept of an oral history and create something new that was more accessible and understandable to children,” Sophie said.

“I felt Marea’s story and the particular moment in her life that the exhibition touches on was a great way to do this.”

Despite never having written or illustrated a children’s book before, Sophie got to work producing the accompanying manuscript and dozens of beautiful illustrations that form the basis of the exhibition.

“It was always going to be an exhibition and a storytelling experience, but then through the process, I discovered I had to do the element of the book itself,” she said.

“I was going to get somebody else to illustrate, and then I thought, no, I need the challenge.

“I’ve always loved art and done a bit of drawing and painting, so I got out my pen and inks and just started scribbling down ideas.”

The story follows Marea from her childhood in Wagga Wagga through her millinery journey to Melbourne and then all the way to London.

Visitors will start at page one and walk a maze-like path through the panels of the story with plenty of artifacts to see along the way.

Museum manager Luke Grealy said it was a unique approach that would resonate with children and adults alike.

“The storytelling techniques and exhibition design are an innovative combination that have really brought the story of a local character to life,” he said.

Marea herself was delighted to see how it had all come together.

“I saw all the lovely pictures life-sized, and I couldn’t contain myself,” she said.

“It is a lovely thing and Sophie is just brilliant at what she’s doing.”

The daughter of well-known local jockey Frank McIntyre, Marea joked that she “wore a hat from the day I was born” and was immersed in the fashions of the racetrack throughout her childhood.

“I’d always gone to milliners with my mother and then when I was about 14 in Melbourne, I said, ‘This is what I want to do in my life’ and it all sort of came from there,” she said.

Another local character in the story is former Urana resident Freddie Fox who served as the Queen’s Milliner in London for 35 years.

Freddie became a mentor to Marea as he travelled back and forth between the UK and Australia and eventually invited her to London where she was tasked with making a purse for the Queen.

A prototype of the Queen’s purse is on display as part of the exhibition.

“She had a choice of having it beaded or not beaded, and she chose to have it not beaded,” said Marea, showing the different sides of the prototype.

Sophie is hoping that visitors will find the exhibition both engaging and inspiring.

“The exhibition is also a celebration of the international excellence that our city produces,” she said.

“I want to show young people that they can achieve truly exceptional things starting right here in our local area.”

The official launch of Marea and the Queen’s Purse will take place on Saturday (17 August) at 2 pm at the Historic Council Chambers site and you can learn more about the exhibition through the Museum of the Riverina‘s homepage.