Matthew Flinders’ seafaring cat features in new children’s book

Inspired by the true story of a beloved cat born at sea, Trim the Cat is a delightful new children’s book launched by the National Museum of Australia.

Written by author Ursula Dubosarsky, Trim the Cat follows the adventures of Trim, who accompanied British navigator Matthew Flinders on his voyage to circumnavigate and map the coastline of Australia from 1801 to 1803.

Two Aboriginal men named Bungaree and Nanbaree accompanied Flinders during the voyage.

Bungaree was a vital intermediary between Flinders and First Nations peoples encountered on the journey.

The book, brought to life with striking collage-style illustrations by Paul Lalo of Soymilk Studio, is the latest in a series inspired by characters featured in the Museum’s Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre for children.

National Museum director Katherine McMahon said Trim was no ordinary cat.

‘Fearless, clever and full of heart, Trim sailed into stormy seas and on grand adventures with his best friend and fellow voyager Matthew Flinders,’ said Ms McMahon.

‘It’s wonderful to bring this touching story to life for a new generation of children.

‘This is the fourth in a series of five books that builds on the innovation of the Museum’s Discovery Centre, encouraging conversations around place, identity and Australian stories in a dynamic and exciting way’.

Visitors to the Museum’s recently reopened Landmarks gallery can also see the bronze statue of Trim and an anchor recovered 170 years after it was thrown off Flinders’ ship, HMS Investigator, to prevent it from running aground off Western Australia.

Author Ursula Dubosarsky said there’s something so appealing about the thought of a brave little black and white cat taking his place on the stage of big historical events.

‘This book puts Trim centre-stage in the story and emphasises the relationship between Flinders and this loyal little cat,’ said Ms Dubosarsky.

‘Matthew really loved Trim, cared for Trim, and shared his adventures with him, right up to his imprisonment on the island of Mauritius.

‘After Trim's disappearance he even wrote a biography of the little cat, which I read when preparing to write this book – and was completely charmed and touched by it’.

Illustrator Paul Lalo said working on Trim the Cat was a dream project.

‘The story has a beautiful balance of humour, courage and friendship, and I tried to reflect that in every drawing,’ Mr Lalo said.

‘I hope readers, young and old, feel the same wonder and warmth that I felt while bringing Trim’s story to life’.

Other titles in the series are The Bunyip and the Stars, part First Nations creation story and part adventure tale by Biripi man Adam Duncan, How Mother Kangaroo Got her Pouch, a First Nations story about the rewards of kindness by Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman Rebecca Beetson and A Woolly Tale about Chris, the world’s woolliest sheep, by Jackie Hosking.

The National Museum of Australia acknowledges the central role of First Nations people in shaping the nation’s history and the importance of an inclusive national narrative.

Media contact: Diana Streak – 0409 888 976 or media@nma.gov.au

More about the book or order online: https://www.nma.gov.au/about/publications/trim-the-cat

About Trim the cat

• Trim was born in 1799 aboard HMS Reliance during a voyage from the Cape of Good Hope to New South Wales.
• Trim sailed around Australia with Matthew Flinders.
• As a kitten he fell overboard but swam back and climbed aboard using a rope.
• Trim was popular among the crew and a constant companion to Flinders, who named him after a character in his favourite novel, Tristam Shandy.
• Trim vanished in Mauritius where Flinders was detained for six years from 1803, on his way back from Australia.
• While imprisoned in 1809, Flinders wrote a memoir of Trim, published posthumously in 1973 which he dedicated: ‘To the memory of Trim, the best and most illustrious of his Race, the most affectionate of friends, faithful of servants and best of creatures’.

About Matthew Flinders

• British navigator Matthew Flinders led the first voyage to circumnavigate Australia, from 1801 to 1803.
• The maps he produced were the first European charts of the much of the continent’s coastline.
• Flinders’ observations proved Australia was a single continent. By using the name ‘Australia’ in his maps and writings, he helped the word enter common usage.

About Bungaree and Nanbaree

• Two Aboriginal men named Bungaree and Nanbaree accompanied Matthew Flinders.
• Bungaree had the delicate task of negotiating with local peoples whenever Flinders wanted to go ashore.
• Though Bungaree did not speak the languages of those encountered on the voyage, he would have been aware of the required protocols.
• Often recognised by those they encountered as the group’s leader, Bungaree played a critical cultural and diplomatic role.

About the author

• Ursula Dubosarsky wanted to be a writer from the age of six and is now the author of over 60 books for children and young adults.
• Her books have won several national and international children’s literature prizes, including the NSW, Victorian, South Australian and Queensland Premier’s literary awards, the Astrid Lindgren award and the Hans Christian Andersen award.
• This is the very first story she has ever written about a cat!

About the illustrator

• Paul Lalo was born in France and arrived in Australia in 2004 to study animation at the Queensland College of Art.
• He has worked as a director, animator, and motion designer for TV commercials, music videos, and documentaries.
• He is co-founder of Melbourne-based animation boutique Soymilk Studio, which specialises in stop-motion and motion design.

About the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre

• The National Museum of Australia’s Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre is a fun, immersive play and learn space for children of all abilities from birth to six years.
• It tells five stories from history, each one encouraging different types of play.
• Bookings are essential and costs apply.