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UPDATE 1.22pm: It's business as normal at Big W, with the big crowd here to see Julia Gillard finally dispersed.
Employee Charlotte Tobin, who works in cosmetics, said the book signing had been hectic.
"I found it quite interesting," she said.
"People bought a lot of books but they didn't buy much make-up."
The numbers for Ms Gillard"s appearance easily eclipsed those for book signing by another former PM John Howard and journalist Ray Martin.
UPDATE 1.17pm: A pair of Bendigo Catholic College students say they were thrilled to meet the former Prime Minister.
Lucy Mitchell and Molly McLinden, both 18, said they were impressed by Ms Gillard's manner.
"We both study politics and we wanted to see Julia," Miss Mitchell said.
"She is an inspiration being the first female PM."
UPDATE 1.10pm: The book signing is over, with at least one GIllard fan left disappointed.
Suzanne Houlden, of White Hills, narrowly missed meeting the PM after arriving late to Big W.
"We missed her by a minute," Mrs Houlden said.
"We just wanted to tell her how much we admired her.
"I'm glad she has gone on to bigger and better things. She was treated shabbily by the big media and the then opposition."
UPDATE 1pm: A Bendigo art student and teacher has presented the former PM with a unique gift.
Alanah Brand, 23, presented Ms Gillard with a painting she has done as part of a series on inspirational women.
Ms Brand said Ms Gillard had not been expecting the gift and was a little 'shocked'.
It will be going home with the former PM.
Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard has drawn a huge crowd to Big W in the Bendigo Marketplace for a book signing.
Ms Gillard will be signing copies of her new memoir My Story.
The line of people waiting to meet Ms Gillard stretches out of the Big W store for some distance through the Bendigo Marketplace.
People started queuing as early as 10.30am for their chance to gain the former Labor Prime Minister's signature.
Elaine Rae, of Kangaroo Flat, was first in line this morning.
She said the opportunity to meet the nation's first and only female Prime Minister was to good to pass up.
"It's unusual to be first in line," Mrs Rae said.
"I quite like Julia, she did a good job - the best she was able to do given the circumstances.
"I think (Kevin) Rudd would be hard to work with."
The queue at Big W is stretching nearly 100 metres.
More to come...