Gnome Convention 2008

The 4th Australian Gnome Convention was just fantastic!. 604 gnomes came along to visit their fellows and chat, strut their stuff and they all went home happy and contented, espcially those who won prizes.

20 gnomes came from the Hospital Cancer Clinic, 39 from 2007 Floriade (who were visiting with the gnome master, David, and enjoyed it so much they may even stay for next year), and the rest of the from gnomish people like you and me! (At this moment the Gnome Convention is not a travelling convention, so despite please from Fay in Tasmania we won't be visiting there just yet) People came from all over the country just to see us. What fun!

We were really famous this year! Lots of great people talked about us. We had the static display in Centro Lennox for 8-9 days where several of our little mates attracted heaps of interest, You could have heard about us on 'Summer all Over' on National ABC; 702 local ABC, 'James Valentine's' afternoon program; Deborah Cameron mentioned our convention whilst interviewing the chair of the Australia Day Council; WSFM 101.7 on breakfast; Overnight with Rod Quinn on National ABC; Country ABC NSW; 2GB with Murray live from the convention on Saturday afternoon; and you could have read about us in the Penrith Star; Blue Mountains Gazette (twice. An independent film documentary maker was absolutely everywhere on the day (we smiled all the time just in case the camera was pointing our way!) and he filmed the Lennox display as well! An American cable TV network HD-Net, who were filming for an already paid-for documentary on quirky things; and then, we had a call from a reporter from Australian Associated Press, so keep your eyes peeled for more about the Gnomes and the Gnome convention!.

We gnomes would like to give a big cheer for Rick and Libby from Go-Environ Landscapes who set out our garden for the day. Thanks Rick, thanks Libby. Rick has a landscape gardening business called GO ENVIRO LANDSCAPES, in Blaxland, 4739 4699

A lot more of our little brothers (and a few sisters too) were adopted at the conventionthis year..... nice to see them go to a good home, hope they come and visit with us next year.

Did you know that GNOMES stands for Girls Night Out Men Excluded. Don't know about that! Might raise that as a topic at the 5th convention in 2009.

Lots of our carers helped us out - it's a big thing organising a convention and we need a helping hand or two - so thanks Jan, Pat, Irene and her grandkids, Jean from the UK, Marlene, Paul and lots and lots who cleared up at the end and of course, David our Gnome master who 'luvs uys all' and Mrs Gnome Master, Caroline.

A big rousing cheer for Centro Lennox (those nice people who let us show off in their shopping centre), Jim Aitken and Mountain Blue Gifts for providing the lucky entry prize, Blue Mountains Leisure Centres, Big W, and a friend from UWS Susan Veen all helped out with prizes. Thanks mates.

Sithee next year then?

Categories this year were.

Country gnome
Workin' gnome
Aussie gnome
Original garden gnome
Sportin' gnome
Fancy dressed gnome...