Goulburn to feature in short film

And there is an interesting family tie-in to the story, with acclaimed film-maker Antony Mannion (who spells his name with an extra 'n') making the film. He is also former Mayor T.P. Manion's grandson.

He said the script had been written and he was now in the process of approaching various bodies for funding to make it.

The film focusses on an extraordinary event that happened in Goulburn in 1934.

It was during a very cold winter, when times were bleak for many, that Goulburn Mayor T.P Manion decided to try and lift the spirits of the city's children by holding a massive pet parade.

The pet parade was broadcast over the 2GN Smile Club and it became the talk of the schoolyard.

The event attracted over 200 children and their pets as they turned up to the showground on in June, 1934.

It was so large, the Daily Telegraph and Cinesound News came to Goulburn to cover it and rare film footage of it survives.

"I have a really powerful script that has been endorsed by a leading scriptwriter," Mr Mannion said.

"I have also engaged a director, who I am working on a feature film with at the moment."

The film is called Worm and it tells the story of how Anthony Mannion's father Gerard wanted more than anything to be in the pet parade but they did not have a family pet.

"The Manion family's pets, the cat and the dog had died, but my dad of all the children just had to be in the event," Mr Mannion said.

"My dad suddenly had an inspiration. He got a shovel went into the backyard and dug up a worm. Carefully placing it in a cigarette tin he excitedly set off for the pet parade.

"On the day hundreds of kids showed up with an amazing variety of pets. It was the buzz and excitement of the city and prizes were to be awarded in all categories.

"My dad lined up to register and receive his certificate with his worm. Approaching the table with great seriousness he was asked for his name and his pet. He opened the tin and said 'worm'. It was all recorded on a certificate.

"Subsequently there was a big night at the Empire Theatre and a presentation of prizes. My dad won 'most unusual pet."

Mr Mannion said his father went to war in the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, which was later disbanded and he joined the tanks and fought in New Guinea and Bougainville.

"He went off to war as a boy and came home a 23-year-old man with many of the problems and distress from fighting, which were not recognised in returned servicemen then.

"He was going though his papers when he found the battered old certificate from the pet parade. With a sense of relief, he knew then he was truly home safe."

Mr Mannion recently visited Goulburn to start scoping out the project. He has started making contacts with the Goulburn Vintage Car Club and the Historical Society, but he said there would be lot of voluntary work required when it came to shooting the film, which he plans to do in May, 2020.