Easter Bilby - Origin

Origin

Bilbies are native Australian marsupials that are endangered. To raise money and increase awareness of conservation efforts, bilby-shaped chocolates and related merchandise are sold within many stores throughout Australia as an alternative to Easter bunnies.

The first documented use of the Easter Bilby concept was in March 1968 in Rose-Marie Dusting's story called "Billy The Aussie Easter Bilby". Rose-Marie Dusting was a 9-year-old child when she wrote the story in a small Queensland town called Richmond. Her maiden name was Ecenarro. Rose-Marie Dusting does have proof of this, as the nun who taught her has sent it to her. Rose-Marie Dusting did recall writing the story as a child but did not know that the teacher had kept it.

The Foundation for Rabbit-Free Australia began to use the Easter Bilby concept in 1991 to show the damage that feral rabbits do to the Australian environment and the concept has been popularised by the confectioner Darrell Lea, which gives a portion of its profits to the foundation.

Australian children's book author and illustrator Irena Sibley produced three Easter Bilby books between 1994 and 2000 including the best selling The Bilbies' First Easter, published by Silver Gum Press in 1994.

In 1993, Australian children's author Jeni Bright wrote the story of "Burra Nimu, the Easter Bilby". It tells how Burra, a shy but brave little bilby, decides to save the land from the rabbits and foxes who are ruining it. Burra and his family and friends gather together for a wonderful time painting Easter eggs to give to the children and ask for their help. But before they can set off on their journey to the children, they must outwit the rabbit army. As well as the story of the Easter Bilby, the website contains factual information about bilbies and other endangered Australian species.