Three things with Emma Watkins: ‘I lost something precious but it eventually came back to me’

In 2012 Emma Watkins became the first female member of the Wiggles, ushering in a new era for the beloved children’s group. Last year she relinquished her role as the Yellow Wiggle – handing her skivvy to newcomer Tsehay Hawkins – but Watkins hasn’t stopped performing. In August she debuted her new character, Emma Memma, who incorporatesAuslan into her YouTube videos – a passion point for the children’s entertainer. She has also been busy narrating Reef School, an ABC kids’ series that explores the underwater world of an Australian coral reef and its marine life.

Watkins has loved being on stage from an early age. One of her first gigs was at the 1996 Ryde School Spectacular at Sydney Opera House, where she performed an Irish dance solo. Here Watkins shares her memories of the dress she wore for that momentous production and the stories behind other cherished belongings.

What I’d save from my house in a fire

I would grab my first Irish dancing dress, which was made for me from one of my nana’s old gowns. She wore an embroidered red dress to a wedding and we used the fabric to create a modern – in 1996 – flowy dress for me to wear at the Opera House. I was set to perform a solo dance – the highlight of my primary school life.

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That year the choir was singing Lord of the Dance and they were looking for someone to dance during the show. All I remember was having to jump about in my school hall with everyone watching for my audition. Next minute I’m on the concert hall stage, on my own, the audience is silent and I just flit about like a fairy for two minutes.

When I took my bow the audience all stood up and cheered. I was so confused as to why everyone was so loud. Now I realise that they liked the performance but, as a seven-year-old, I had no idea what was going on.

My most useful object

While this doesn’t seem very romantic, I have to admit that my most useful item is my Biomat. It’s an infrared heat mat that you can pop on a chair, and it feels like you’re being cuddled.

When I was recovering from a laparoscopy for endometriosis I would sleep on it daily. And now that we have moved to the country, it’s the best on a cold evening. The only problem is my cats and dogs are obsessed with it.

The item I most regret losing

I lost something precious but it eventually came back to me. I was given my great-great-grandmother’s watch when my nana passed away and it is so delicate that it came wrapped in ahandkerchief for protection. [My great-great-grandmother’s] name was Annie Thompson and the watch is engraved with her initials and the year 1919.

During many months of touring and moving house, I lost the watch. I couldn’t bring myself to tell my mum (even though I know she’ll be reading this now). I just pretended to myself that it was somewhere inside a box that was still yet to be unpacked. I think I lost it for about two years.

Then, miraculously, I found it, still wrapped in the handkerchief inside a teacup,safely inside a set of drawers. To say it was a relief is an understatement.