Leigh Hobbs has made a significant contribution to Australian children’s literature across many years.

His love of art and the library at Bairnsdale Primary School, where he attended for four years as a young lad, has led to a fulfilling career in the literary world.

Now his contributions are being honoured as he joins four other exceptional Australian storytellers for young people as part of Australia Post’s 2019 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue.

Born in Melbourne and based there now, Mr Hobbs is a best-selling author of more than 20 books, including the iconic Old Tom, Mr Chicken Goes to Paris and Horrible Harriet, his subversive humour delighting children, and youngat-heart adults, for more than two decades.

Leigh’s father was a teacher at Bairnsdale Technical School for six years during Leigh’s formative years, Leigh spending his time attending four years at Bairnsdale Primary School and two years at the tech school.

In 2016 he was named the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2016 and 2017 at which time he promoted the worth of librarians.

“The librarian at 754 was wonderful and directed me to certain books that in fact changed my life,” he said. “I am pro libraries and librarians, especially in the school context. They are the conduits for information for children.

“I really feel they are an endangered species.

“Schools have to work to their budgets and all too often libraries and librarians aren’t seen as worthy of funding. I challenge that notion.

“Some people think that books are no longer necessary, but the fact is, libraries are more than ‘just books’. They inform and enrich the children’s imaginations.”

Now Leigh joins fellow acclaimed litterateurs, Mem Fox AM, Morris Gleitzman, Alison Lester and Shaun Tan, in the 2019 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue, each having their portrait featured on one of the five new postage stamps.

Australia Post executive general manager community and consumer, Nicole Sheffield, said these outstanding individuals have been recognised for their part in shaping the social and cultural life of Australia.

“This year’s recipients are celebrated authors who create impactful stories that children and adolescents love and remember,” Ms Sheffield said.

“I really cherished reading stories to my children when they were small, and now enjoy seeing them explore new perspectives and ideas with books as they’ve gotten older.

“These authors hold a very special place in the bookshelves of many Australian families, and we’re excited to celebrate their achievements with this new stamp release.”

Bairnsdale locals, Don George and his brother, George, remember Leigh from their primary school days. They have remained friends over the years and the Georges could not be more proud of their friend.

“Leigh always had a passion for art,” Don said. “He loved it and went on to become an art teacher at Sale Technical College.

“We lost touch for a bit, as you do, but then he would come back to Bairnsdale and visit us at the hamburger shop. He had great plans for our shop.”

The shop Don speaks of is the iconic George’s Burgers, on Main Street in Bairnsdale.

“Leigh loved reds and yellows and had big plans to incorporate those into our shop colours. That was before McDonalds moved in over the road,” Don said.

“He had big ideas to remodel the shop with a big burger in a top hat on our roof. It never actually happened, but he did paint a wonderful big painting of the shop in the 80s that still hangs on its wall today. It’s full of characters including Dame Edna at the counter with attention to detail like the ice cream cone stand that was there then. And my brother-in-law behind the counter; it’s just like he used to look. Leigh’s been back at least once since to touch it up.”

Don said Leigh used to give him art lessons when he came to town. “I’ve still got his workings and books at home that we used to work on together,” Don said.

“We’re really proud to know Leigh and proud that he’s being recognised on a stamp.

“But I’m not surprised. He deserves it.”

Now in its 23rd year, the Australia Post Legends Award celebrates living Australians who have made a unique contribution to the nation through their field of endeavour, inspiring the community and influencing the way Australians think about themselves and the community.

Past recipients include Sir Donald Bradman, Dame Joan Sutherland, Barry Humphries, Sir Gustav Nossal, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch, Cate Blanchett, Stephanie Alexander, Rod Laver and Bert Newton.

Leigh and his fellow 2019 legends will each be presented with a 24-carat-gold replica of the stamp on which they are represented.

IMAGE: Don George, and his brother, George, are proud to know Leigh Hobbs, a childhood friend who has been honoured with his own stamp as part of Australia Post’s 2019 Australian Legends of Children’s Literature stamp issue. Don and George are pictured with Leigh’s stamp and his painting of their hamburger shop, George’s Burgers, that still hangs on the iconic take away food store’s wall.