HER fans spilled out of the store and around the corner, breaking a Launceston book-signing attendance record set by cricket legends Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist.
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And the applause that met Julia Gillard’s arrival at Petrarch’s Bookstore would not have been out of place at an MCG Test.
More than 300 lined up in Launceston yesterday morning to meet the former prime minister, most with copies of her memoir My Story in their hands.
Petrarch’s owner Peter Durkin said he had never seen a line out the door so long.
‘‘Gilchrist and McGrath had the record, but she’s beaten that by a mile,’’ Mr Durkin said.
Among those waiting in line was Karen Hall, who saluted Ms Gillard’s legacy.
‘‘She did a great job, despite the fact that she was treated very badly,’’ Ms Hall said.
‘‘She’s a very gutsy lady.’’
Teenagers Alex McGee and Hannah Osborne waited in line for more than an hour to meet the former Labor leader.
‘‘No matter what, she was our first female prime minister and an important part of our political history,’’ Mr McGee said.
Five-year-old Arabella Jones also drew inspiration from the visit.
‘‘When I grow up, I want to be a prime minister too,’’ she said.
