The Complete Interview - In Full!

Wanganui Chronicle, Friday January 19, page 4

GNOME AWAY FROM HOME RAISING MONEY FOR CANCER - BY MARY BRYAN

HE'S OFF!! – Gnorman the Gnome was farewelled from the Wanganui Cancer Centre yesterday. After a 2-day break to psych himself up for a year of non-stop travelling raising money for cancer, he heads for Wellington on Sunday.

Gnorman is no ordinary gnome as he revealed in a brief interview with the Chronicle.

"I'm not even a week old. I was only conceived last Saturday, but I am already engaged to marry in January 2008. A travel itinerary has been drawn up that will take me around New Zealand to meet a lot of national personalities – don't ask me who they are, I am too young to have even heard of them! But I can't say no, because I'll be raising money for the New Zealand Cancer Society's Research Projects."

Gnorman said he was very excited about his trip but " very sad" to part from his fiance Gnorma-Jean for so long.

"I guess we will write and phone each other. She is going to travel around Australia to raise money for cancer research, but it won't be the same as sitting side-by-side in our Castlecliff home, but I am taking my teddy bear and cat and super glue in case any of my vital parts get knocked off. Gnorma-Jean wants me back in one piece."

Gnorma has drawn up a set of safety rules for his travels- Gno to Alcohol, Gno to Gnudity, and always be gnice to Gnorman.

However he forgot to draw up any rules for Gnorma-Jean.

" I expect she will have an absolute blast when she visits Australia but that should make her happy to settle down with me when she comes back"

Gnorman's conception was a group affair. It came from an on-line discussion by New Zealand Trade-Me traders, one of whom was Joy Clark of Wanganui.

"We thought it might be a laugh to send a small polymer clay gnome from place to place around New Zealand, hopefully ending up at Trade-Me HQ in Wellington in time for an appearance on the Trade Me Community Web-Cam by Xmas 2007.

"I agreed to make the gnome."

From there the idea took on a life of its own, as gnomes are known to do and as a former member of the group has died from cancer it was decided to make the travel trip, a fund-raiser for Cancer research.

5 of the group, Janie, Suzie, Sue, Jo and Mrs Clark then worked quickly to make the gnome a reality and on January 16 Gnorman the Gnome had his own on-line blog -http://trackthegnome.blogspot.com/2007/01/gnomes-convention.html

... quickly followed by a postal address

The Roaming Gnome,
PO Box 11 474, Palm Beach Plaza,
Tauranga 3151

... and sponsorship by Fastway Couriers.

And as news of Gnorman the Gnome's birth spread, Australian traders on Trade me wanted their own Gnome, which led to Gnorma-Jean's birth.

"Everyone who gets involved with Gnorman the Gnome and Gnorma-Jean is likely to give them wedding presents and these along with the photographs some of which will be autographed by the personalities they meet, and the journals of their travels, will be auctioned on Trade Me and the money given to the Cancer Society. We are hoping to raise at least $15,000", Mrs Clark said.

Contributed by Joybells

Gnomes in the Gnews!

The Project got off to a great start yesterday in a handover documented by NZ's OLDEST newspaper, The Wanganui Chronicle.

Pictured above are the very cute Zachariah and Bailey holding Gnorman and Gnorma-Jean.

The first leg of Gnorman's epic roam begins with a journey from Wanganui to Wellington.

Keep your eye on the blog for more news!

Photographs from the launch!

More photographs from yesterday's handover

Contributes by Joybells

He's Off!!!

Joy's wonderful account of todays release of Gnorman into the wild is in, and it's fabulous stuff!

18 / 01 / 07

At 1pm, Gnorman met with the Cancer Society people in Wanganui... he was hugged and kissed and found his way into the ladies' hearts very easily....then suddenly, they spotted Gnorma-Jean... and Patrick from the WCS was captivated by her gnomely beauty... he kissed her so gently... every woman in the room was jealous... (we all wished we had her hair... her smile... her clothes...)

The photographer and reporter arrived Gnorman and Gnorma-Jean handled themselves beautifully... anyone would think they were POP STARS.... I can see they have cottoned on VERY quickly to just how special they are !!!

I handed Gnorman over to Zac to pass on to Bailey (esdott jnr) but Gnorma-Jean coughed (none too quietly) in the background... and the reporter and photographer said the photo-shoot was meaningless without her... I had to repeat that it was the handover of Gnorman we were there for... but the media were adamant that Gnorma-Jean had to be in the shot.... (you should have seen her preen)

Gnorman was asked what he had packed for his journey... he replied *I have people to pack for me* the reporter tried again... "what are you travelling with Gnorman???" and he told her...*my pussy cat and my teddy and a bottle of super glue in case anyone is rough with any part of me* The rest of the interview can be seen after it is published....lol.... I doubt if it will be tomorrow...the HURRICANES are in town....

Gnorma-Jean was able to share that the Australian traders had promised her the time of her life before she had to settle down with the fuddy duddy.... Gnorman was far to busy with one particular lady to even hear what she had called him.... (he was *snuggled* in the bosom of esdott jnr's great grandmother...EILEEN)

I hope you enjoy all the pix... they show skin1235 from Waverley (Steve in real life) The Wanganui Cancer Society staff... and Gnorman and I....

You can see how happy and delighted everyone was... it was lovely to meet such an enthusistic group who bade Gnorman and Gnorma-Jean a fond and tearful farewell. *sobs*.... it was very sweet... We have released our gnomes TO THE WORLD... the hard work has been done (cheers team, what a privilege it is to work with you all) and now we can sit back and ENJOY their travel.... HAPPY ROAMIN' GNOMES!!!

Contributed by Joybells