Last year we held the Wild Tea Cosy competition to raise funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia, this year we thought the Teddy Bear would be a wonderful replacement. Look
here for the details. The Teddy Bear has a long and interesting history.
The name Teddy Bear came from former USA President Theodore Roosevelt whose nickname was 'Teddy'. During an incident on a bear hunting trip in late 1902 Roosevelt was asked to shoot a bear that had been tied to a tree, he refused and demanded the bear be dispatched immeditately to put it out of its misery. A cartoon subsequently appeared in the media with Roosevelt and the bear and this inspired Morris Michtom to create a new toy which he called 'Teddy's bear'. President Roosevelt received a copy of the little bear and gave permission for his name to be used.
At the same time in Germany the Steiff firm, unaware of Michtom's bear, produced a stuffed bear from their own design, they exhibited the toy at the Leipzig Toy Fair in March 1903 and exported 3,000 to the USA.
Seymour Eaton wrote 'The Roosevelt Bears' as a children's education book, composer John Bratton wrote 'The Teddy Bear Two Step' which became 'The Teddy Bear's Picnic'. Some popular mass market bears are Rupert, Sooty, Paddington and of course Winnie-the-Pooh. In the USA and Australia the teddy bear is now used by police, fire and emergency workers for children in emergency situations.
So, the humble teddy bear isn't so humble after all. We think this toy is a good choice for our fund raising competition. We hope you agree.
This is dear little Bobby from Mrs. Truscott
Raymond is a second entry from Alana Cox and he's a short stocky little fellow.
Don't you just love the flowers on Daisy? Sheila Ryan entered her and had the name already picked.
And this is Ollie B Bear and the second entry by Fleur Wheeler, and he's become the favourite of a few people. 
This is "Linton" and his maker didn't want anyone to know who she is. Pity, because "Linton" is a lovely bear.
"Kate and William" by Nan MacKay, they look big in this photo, in the 'flesh' they are simply a couple of handfulls.
"Jolly Jack" by Les McKay a stout and solid chappy.
"Geelong Bear" and there's no doubt which team he barracks for, by Barbara Grant.
"Fonzie" is every bodies favourite Teddy Bear, by Fleur Wheeler. We have a second bear from Fleur and he'll appear in a couple of days.
Two happy chappies "Dozer" and "Benny" made by Natasha Metherall.
"Cobby" by Alana Cox. This little bear has been 'bed tested' by Alana's daughter before he came to stay with us for a little while. And can you guess where he's going when this competition is over?
This is "Bert" also by Natasha Metherall. Big, hairy and a wuzz.
"Belle" by Shirley Westaway doesn't care if the team is winning or not, she's still a solid supporter.
And a "Basket of Bears" by Lyn Paterson from Healesville. Lyn brought her little basket of pleasure all the way across country to enter them in the competition. 
Last year we held the Wild Tea Cosy competition to raise funds for Breast Cancer Network Australia, this year we thought the Teddy Bear would be a wonderful replacement. Look here for the details. The Teddy Bear has a long and interesting history.