Footrot Flats 50 Years On

Presented by Peter Phipps and the Phipps Family

Exhibition Dates:
Friday 17 July – Sunday 26 July, 2026
Open 10:00am – 4:00pm daily

Opening Event:
Friday 17 July, 2026
6:00pm

Celebrate the iconic world of Footrot Flats in a special exhibition supporting MND Tasmania by Peter Phipps. Featuring originals, nostalgia, humour and community spirit, the exhibition raises awareness and vital funds for Tasmanians with MND. Join us to experience a beloved Kiwi classic while supporting an important local cause.

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Footrot Flats, created by Murray Ball in New Zealand in 1976, is a beloved comic strip and cultural icon that depicts farm life through the humorous lens of Wal and his loyal dog. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, it has resonated with both rural and urban audiences for decades, reflecting everyday life with warmth and wit. It also marks 40 years since the movie and nine years since Ball’s passing.

This exhibition features the extensive Footrot Flats collection of Peter Phipps, his wife, and family, who have been passionate fans for over 45 years. With over 2,000 items, including rare signed books, original artwork, comic strips, more than sixty hand-painted movie cels, the collection also showcases everyday objects like packaging, clothing, and stationery, highlighting the comic’s broad cultural impact.