An evening with Dr Lynley Dodd, DNZM

On 11 November I was very privileged to attend the conferral of an Honorary Doctorate on Dame Lynley Dodd by the University of Waikato.  It was held at Mills Reef Winery, Tauranga and was a very elegant evening.  It opened with an academic procession (which included Dr Tessa Duder) followed by Rt. Hon. Jim Bolger ONZ, Chancellor and Professor Roy Crawford, Vice-Chancellor conducting the formalities.  Some quotes from the listed speakers really appealed to me so I will share those with you.

Doctor Lynley Dodd’s address to her guests was a delight to listen to.  She described her thirty-six years of work as “indulging myself in dog-eral and cat-eral”.    Professor Margaret Carr spoke on the Literary Impact of Hairy Maclary and stated “her books increase the likelihood that parents will read to their children”.  Professor Alexandra Barratt  described Dr Lynley Dodd’s writing as a collection of “delicious rhymes and fascinating curious words”.

During an informal part of the evening Dr Lynley Dodd read aloud a mysterious letter (which she had received?) written in a very familiar rhyme and style and the sender suggested that perhaps the honour would be more rightfully bestowed on himself!! - we were then introduced to Dr Hairy Maclary (a soft cuddly toy standin) complete with red/black academic gown and black cap - he was so so cute and the guests very tickled!!

My favourite words of the evening describing the work of Dr Lynley Dodd, DNZM came from Professor Roy Crawford, Vice-Chancellor -

“Children’s literature across the world is richer because of her”.

Posted by Wendy Ballard