Community
14 August, 2025
Display celebrating village icon grows
NOORAT’S favourite son was again celebrated after new items were donated to expand a window display opened in his memory.
A window display at The Beehive in Noorat had been unveiled in May this year to celebrate what would have been the 123rd birthday of the late Alan Marshall, the internationally renowned author of ‘I can jump puddles’.;
The window display featured a range of items commemorating the late writer, including books which he had published.
Following publicity of the event, organiser Jo Kenna said a whole new range of items were donated including a typewriter and desk, photographs of Mr Marshall and press clippings to expand the display to a second window.
The second display was unveiled last Friday in front of a crowd in excess of 30 including residents and students from both Mercy Regional College and Noorat Primary School.
“The second window perfectly complements the first window and celebrates Alan Marshall, who is very worthy of being celebrated,” Mrs Kenna said.
“We were really lucky because we thought we had a pretty good collection in the first window, but after the article appeared in the Terang Express with the opening of the first window we had people contacting us to say they had more photos we could have.
“We were looking for an old desk and Janine Fitzpatrick, before leaving Terang, was happy to donate it because she thought it was a wonderful display.”
Mrs Kenna thanked Terang Noorat Arts in the Avenue and Star Printing for supporting the expansion of the display, in addition to Wellnest Camperdown for donating display boards.
She said she appreciated everyone’s interest in preserving such an important part of Noorat’s history.
“We need to celebrate our history,” she said.
“He was a real identity at the time.
“I was lucky enough to meet him four times in my life – when I was a student at primary school and high school.
“He was the greatest storyteller, a real character who brought his stories to life.”
The window display is located at the storefront on the corner of Terang-Mortlake Road and Mackinnons Bridge Road, which was the birthplace of Mr Marshall.
The storefront is set to be revitalised over the coming months when owners Alex and Jenna French open a new antiques shop called ‘The French Collection’.
Mr French said he was proud to offer the storefront windows to honouring the history of Noorat through one of its most iconic residents.
“I think it’s fantastic,” he said.
“It’s part of Noorat’s history and, as a small town, you have to make the most of what you’ve got.
“He was a famous author, famous worldwide, who was one of the only westerners to win a Soviet Order of Friendship of Peoples (for working to foster friendship between Australia and the former Soviet Union).
“You think of how amazing it is to receive that.”
Mr French said he was excited to open the new store in the next few months.
“We’re planning on opening our second-hand store for collectables and antiques within the new month or two,” he said.
“We hope people will be able to find a wide range of gifts, furniture and antiques.”
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