The story of Wrinkly Merino is still being snapped up, four years after Wrinkly was born out of the minds of Glenorchy students.

In a burning example of the kiwi ‘can do’ attitude, the Glenorchy School Parents Teachers Friends Association decided they would make a difference for their children.  In 2001 the PTA funded the publishing of a book written by the school’s students in order to raise money so the children could travel from their rural setting at the head of Lake Wakatipu to the steps of Parliament in Wellington.

With approximately six members and numerous volunteers a sub-committee of the PTA set about organising the writing, illustrating, publishing and distribution of the book “Wrinkly Merino”.  The children wrote the book and cartoonist David Henshaw developed a cartoon sheep called Wrinkly.  Wrinkly’s adventures, as written by the children, were illustrated with pictures of the cartoon Wrinkly undertaking many local activities, such as jet boating.  The children’s own drawings were placed around the text.

The book was launched in October 2001, with the children enacting the story, complete with Wrinkly being shorn.

As soon as the book hit the shelves it became an immediate success, with the initial run of 2,000 books selling out faster than expected.

That success saw the senior class at Glenorchy School visit Wellington in 2005.

This unique initiative won the Glenorchy School PTA the Supreme Award at the 2002 Queenstown Lakes District Community Awards.  The PTA then went on to be named Runner Up at the 2002 TrustPower National Community Awards.

Meryn Douglas, who was instrumental in the development of the book, says the idea of writing and selling a book almost started as a joke, but the book’s success exceeded all expectations.

“We wanted to develop something that the many tourists who flood into our town would buy on an ongoing basis – something that wouldn’t date.  Wrinkly did just that!” says Meryn.

Meryn says they wanted the book to be affordable so people would buy more than one copy, so the book was priced at just $10.

“While the PTA funded the development of the book, Wrinkly Merino soon started to involve the whole community.  Local businesses agreed to sell the book for zero commission, so all money raised went straight to the school.  It was a real community project.”

Meryn says their win at the TrustPower Queenstown Lakes District Community Awards and the TrustPower National Community Awards gave the PTA and Wrinkly great publicity.

“Once we won the Awards the phone started ringing with people wanting to buy copies of the book.”

The publicity meant Wrinkly also caught the attention of other schools around the country.

“I have had two or three different people ring us to find out about Wrinkly as they were looking at running a similar fundraising activity.”

Recently the children at Tarras School wrote a book about the now famous Shrek the Sheep.

Today, Wrinkly Merino is still on the market, with the PTA now on its third edition.  More than 4,000 copies of the book have been sold so far and requests for copies of the book have come from far and wide.

“We have had calls from people overseas requesting copies of the book and many New Zealand teachers have bought multiple copies when travelling to work overseas,” says Meryn.

Today a percentage of the money Wrinkly raises still goes towards funding class trips for the students at Glenorchy School, with the rest of the money funding other school activities.

So is there a chance of a second book?

“So far we haven’t thought about it.  People are still buying Wrinkly Merino and it’s continuing to raise funds for our school, meaning it has really met our aim of being an ongoing fundraising project.”

For more information about Wrinkly Merino or the Glenorchy School PTA contact Meryn Douglas by phoning 03 442 9934 or emailing meryndouglas@hotmail.com .