Mrs Trilla And The Painted Rock

A Mackay-Made Tale Of Warmth, Wonder And Painted Rocks

By Hannah McNamara

While a painted rock may seem like a small discovery to most, for some it’s a doorway to curiosity, joy, and unexpected connection. In Mrs Trilla and the Painted Rock, Mackay local and beloved toyshop owner Ally Blines captures that magic in a heartfelt and beautifully illustrated children’s book that celebrates creativity, community, and the quiet power of giving.

Inspired during the challenging days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ally’s story doesn’t mention the virus by name. Instead, it gently explores themes we all understand as loneliness, creativity, and hope.

At its centre is Mrs Trilla, a warm, inventive character inspired by Ally’s own mother, who in her late 80s found herself unexpectedly housebound. Rather than retreat, she sewed quilts filled with memories, baked for neighbours, and became a quiet force of kindness during a time of great uncertainty.

“It’s really a tribute to all the creative, resilient women I know,” Ally explains.

“But mostly, it’s about my mum.”

Ally, who owns Let The Children Play Toyshop & Games Store, has long been a champion of the rock painting movement, hosting workshops where children and families decorated and hid small, hand-painted stones for others to find.

These “kindness rocks,” often inscribed with cheerful images or hopeful words, sparked delight in unexpected places.

“You’d see it happen in real time, where children would be overjoyed when they found one, or proudly placing one for the next person to discover.

“It’s just a wonderful experience.”

Though she jokes about not being “artistic,” Ally’s vision for the book was evident that Mrs Trilla and the Painted Rock would be a local labour of love.

One character, Postie Tina, is inspired by a real Mackay postie known for leaving hand-painted rocks in letterboxes along her route. Her joyful tradition brought smiles during lockdown and lives on in the story, capturing the spirit of unexpected kindness in everyday experiences.

Beautifully illustrated by Mackay artist Kate McKenna, thoughtfully laid out by Pop Press, and proudly printed by BB Print, Mrs Trilla and the Painted Rock is entirely a homegrown creation. Every page reflects the heart of the region, with illustrations even inspired by iconic local landscapes such as Cape Hillsborough and the enduring legacy of generational cane farms.

And while this childrens book was written during lockdown, its message resonates far beyond that moment in time. Whether a child or adult is unwell at home, recovering from an injury, or simply feeling alone on a rainy afternoon, Ally hopes the book encourages readers to turn isolation into imagination and kindness.

“Selflessness doesn’t have to be a big act,” she says.

“It can be as simple as painting a rock and hiding it for someone to find.

“I want readers to know that generosity can be given or found in the smallest gestures…and it truly makes a big impact.”

Available now in-store and online at Let The Children Play Toyshop & Games Store, this charming, thought-provoking book is the perfect gift for any child, or grown-up, who believes in the beauty of giving.

Purchase yours now at www.playmackay.com.au

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Mrs Trilla and the Painted Rock is a heartwarming, Mackay-made children’s book by Ally Blines that celebrates kindness, creativity, and community through the quiet magic of painted stones and the legacy of resilient locals. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara

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