May Gibbs (1877–1969)

May Gibbs, artist, author, illustrator and cartoonist, mother of the Gum-Nut Babies and the iconic Snugglepot and Cuddlepie lived much of her early life in South Perth in 'The Dune', a charming home on the corner of Harper Terrace and Suburban Road (now Mill Point Road).

Born in England in 1877 May, at the age of four travelled with her mother and brother Herbert (Bertie), to join her father Herbert and uncle George who, some months earlier had travelled out to South Australia. A second brother, Ivon, was born just before arrival in Adelaide.

Following an event-filled four years in South Australia in 1885, the Gibbs family moved to Harvey in Western Australia. Two wonderful years were spent in Harvey before Herbert and Cecie moved their family to Perth.

One year at Butler's Swamp (now Lake Claremont) and a year in Perth passed before the family settled in South Perth in 1888/9, ten years before the Windsor Hotel and the Zoological Gardens were established South Perth. At that time a very quiet, picturesque place, which attracted a group of artistic families. Both May's mother and father were accomplished trained artists and May was rarely without a sketch book and pencil ready to capture images of her surroundings. The wonderful whimsy of her early work stayed with her throughout her long successful career.

The City of South Perth Historical Society proudly operates the Local History Museum and May Gibbs Art Gallery from Heritage House at 111 Mill Point Road, South Perth. Ongoing exhibitions of selected original artworks from the wonderful art collection with pieces from the Society's own collection.

The City of South Perth, to honour May's connection to South Perth (50+years), purchased a collection of original paintings by Herbert, Cecie and May Gibbs.