Channel Seven Perth Telethon

The Channel Seven Perth Telethon, regionally known simply as Telethon, is an annual telethon established in 1968 by philanthropist Sir James Cruthers and Brian Treasure,[1] and produced by TVW, a Seven Network-owned television station in Perth, Western Australia. It raises money for over 50 beneficiaries[2] each year including Perth Children's Hospital, the Telethon Clinical Research Centre and the Telethon Kids Institute. Channel Seven's Perth Telethon is the highest donating Telethon (per capita) in the world with it surpassing A$100 million in total donations in 2010, $200 million in 2015, and $300 million in 2018.[3]

Telethon logo

The Channel 7 Telethon Trust is the charitable trust behind the event and its related fundraising activities. The philosophy behind the Channel 7 Telethon Trust is to financially support the medical and social welfare of children and young people and to fund research into children's diseases.

Overview
Telethon 2006 closing celebration at the Perth Exhibition and Convention Centre

The Telethon broadcast usually runs around 26 hours non-stop, starting from 6.30pm on a Saturday night in October, broadcasting live across Western Australia on TVW7 throughout the metropolitan area of Perth and the Golden West Network (GWN7) across the rest of Western Australia. Since 2005 it has been held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre; previously it was held at Channel 7's former studios at Dianella, Western Australia. The event aims to raise money for its beneficiaries from donations from private citizens and corporations, as well as from special fundraising events held throughout the year and the public auction of up to two specially built Telethon homes — one in the metropolitan area of Perth and one in a regional area of Western Australia.

Each year, two children (one from the metropolitan area and one from a regional area) who have had reason to be patients at Perth Children's Hospital (and before 2018, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children) over the past twelve months are chosen to represent all children who benefit from the money raised during that year's Telethon. From 2010, these two children have been referred to as the "Little Telethon Stars" and their stories are highlighted during the event.

Talent from Seven Network shows such as Home and Away and Sunrise make the journey to the west coast of Australia for the weekend to entertain the audience, visit unwell children at Perth Children's Hospital, take phone calls, and generally participate in the 26-hour marathon broadcast. In addition, musical guests are also a big part of the weekend; over the years, notable international performers during Telethon have included Sir Cliff Richard, Harry Connick Jr., Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Julian Lennon, Sammy Davis Jr., and Céline Dion. In more recent years, finalists from talent shows such as Australian Idol, The X Factor and Australia's Got Talent have also made appearances during the event, joining lower profile and local acts.

Costumed character Fat Cat from the former children's television show Fat Cat and Friends serves as the mascot for Telethon.[4][5] Basil Zempilas has been the anchoring host of the broadcast since 2010. He took over the role from longtime TVW7 weather presenter Jeff Newman, who had hosted the event for 32 years before retiring in 2009.[6] In 1994 Newman was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to charity and fundraising through his work with Telethon and the Variety Club of Western Australia.[7]

History

Telethon began in 1968, when the Telethon Trust was established by senior executives Sir James Cruthers and Brian Treasure at Channel 7 Perth.[8] It was inspired by the success of the first MDA Labor Day Telethon hosted by Jerry Lewis in the United States in 1966, and the Good Friday Appeal in Melbourne.[9] Cruthers first brought up the idea with then-CEO of Princess Margaret Hospital, James Clarkson during a round of golf at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.[10][9] The first Perth Telethon has been described as chaotic: the station was open to the public for the first time, Australians were still adjusting to decimal currency, there were no computers so pledges and receipts were written out by hand, and anyone who pledged more than $2000 received a follow up phone call to ensure it was not a hoax. However the event raised more than anticipated.[10] The first Telethon also featured an infamous segment where guests Stuart Wagstaff, Johnny O'Keefe and Graham Kennedy, who were shirtless at the time, had to scramble to find their clothing before then-WA Premier David Brand made an appearance at the station. Wagstaff would become closely associated with Telethon, with the entertainer returning for 35 subsequent Telethons, making his last appearance via video in 2009.[11][12]

Michael Jackson appeared on the October 1985 Telethon as part of a deal with Western Australian millionaire Robert Holmes à Court (who owned the television station at the time) to acquire ATV Music Publishing.[13][14][15] Jackson could not perform due to contractual reasons, but he spoke briefly and met the two "Little Telethon Stars".[14]

2007 marked 40 years since Telethon began in Western Australia and raised more than $6.5 million. This was more than double the previous record amount of $3 million.[16] Telethon 2008 raised a further $7.5 million, with the Australian Federal Government contributing $1.5 million, and a lottery winner donating $1 million of her winnings to the cause.[17] The 2008 event also featured an Australian rules football match between former West Coast Eagles players and former Fremantle Dockers players in tribute to Chris Mainwaring, a former West Coast Eagles player and 7 news sports presenter who had died the previous year.[18] The match continued to be held until 2012.[19]

In 2010, Telethon broke its record set in 2008, raising $9,237,539. This figure was later revised to $10 million as the phones kept ringing after the Telethon finished. In addition, 2010 marked the year in which the total amount collected over the previous 43 years surpassed the $100 million milestone.[20] This Telethon was touted by Seven Network owner Kerry Stokes as being "the best Telethon ever". In 2011, Telethon once again broke the previous record by raising $13,473,159. In 2012, Telethon broke several records, with the metropolitan Telethon Home selling prior to auction for a record $1.2 million. In addition, the final total broke the $15 million milestone, raising a record $16,805,622. The telecast featured a live performance via video from Elton John who was performing at the Gala Opening of Perth Arena. In 2013, Telethon again broke the record, raising $20.7 million. The records continued to be broken in 2014, with a total of $25,271,542, due partly to a $20m five year commitment by BHP, while in 2015 $25.8 million was raised. 2016 saw $26,290,154 as the final total, which took Telethon's total raised over 49 years to $231,886,120.

In Telethon's 50th year in 2017, it raised $10 million more than its previous record amount, amounting to a total of $36,431,381.[21] In 2018, Telethon raised more than $38 million after a $2 million donation on behalf of Seven West Media at the last minute, which also saw the $300 million mark of total donations be broken.[22]

In 2020, challenges and restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic saw a number of changes to the annual Telethon broadcast. Most notably, the event replaced its traditional 26 hour live marathon broadcast with two, 3 hour live primetime specials broadcast from the Crown Theatre at Crown Perth on the evenings of 24 and 25 October 2020. Due to ongoing border restrictions, the 2020 broadcast also focused more on WA-based performers and personalities, though celebrities from the eastern states and overseas, and those from Seven's shows still featured during the event via pre-recorded segments.[23] 2020 also saw the first Telethon Family Festival held at Perth Stadium on 25 October 2020. The fundraising event was promoted as an opportunity for families to come together following the easing of pandemic restrictions and the cancellation of the 2020 Perth Royal Show earlier in the year.[5][24] Despite the new, much shorter format, the challenges faced by the event, and the uncertain economic climate, Telethon set a new record of $46,331,097 raised in 2020.[25]

Annual summaries

[26][27]

Year Funds Raised (AUD) Telethon Home Auction (AUD) Little Telethon Stars[28] Notable Guests[29]
Metropolitan Regional
1968 $104,829 — — Maryanne Lazerides Stuart Wagstaff, Graham Kennedy, Johnny O'Keefe
1969 $147,000 — — —
1970 $166,000 — — —
1971 $177,587 — — Beth Crispin
1972 $210,792 $17,500 — Amanda Rose
1973 $335,503 $24,750 — Lisa Tucker & Karen Green
1974 $530,710 — — —
1975 $586,700 $9,350 — Gavin O'Farrell
1976 $721,624 — — Louise Sauvage
1977 $905,000 — — —
1978 $887,376 — — —
1979 $909,327 — — Blanche Mathiot
1980 $1,071,503 — — —
1981 $1,338,002 — — Brooke Arbery
1982 $1,601,387 — — Cassandra Hughes
1983 $1,711,456 $97,000 — Tara Dalla Costa Sammy Davis, Jr., Jackie Trent, Tony Hatch
1984 $2,143,000 $120,000[30] — Peta Mears Cliff Richard, Gene Pitney
1985 $2,818,837 $132,000 — Helen Francis & Luke Smith Michael Jackson, Jack Klugman
1986 $3,604,717 — — Amy Howell Petula Clark, Dame Edna Everage
1987 $3,510,000 $170,000 — Matthew Webb, Melanie Hawks, Prudence Hawkins, Leigh Beardsley, Danny Desivieri & Samantha Williams Stevie Wonder
1988 $3,253,077 $225,000 — Lisa Cutter Whitney Houston
1989 $3,253,077 $217,000 — Holly Clarke John Farnham, Dannii Minogue
1990 $3,204,657 $270,000 — Matthew Gare
1991 $2,703,957 $262,000 — —
1992 $2,710,438 $280,000 — — Celine Dion
1993 $2,004,905 $295,000 — Edward Thompson & Amy Munro
1994 $2,264,770 $238,000 — Ashley Harris
1995 $2,000,055 $127,500 — —
1996 $2,005,470 $278,000 — Gillian Bowater, Cassandra Domjahn, Lisa Nicholas, Kyle Rogers & Jonathon Williams
1997 $2,305,747 $330,000 — Darren Woonings, Jordan Matthews & Georgia Lowry Hugh Jackman[10]
1998 $2,465,750 $330,001 — Tamara Brereton Julian Lennon
1999 $2,507,545 $335,021 — Thomas Clarke Harry Connick, Jr.
2000 $2,395,947 $330,000 — Holly Kneale & Chloe Kneale Phyllis Diller
2001 $2,587,137 $420,000 — David Naso
2002 $2,602,397 $505,000 $450,000 Natasha Haederle
2003 $2,614,456 $480,323 $450,000 Annie Shreeve Christine Anu, Jimmy Barnes
2004 $2,867,467 $620,000 $630,000 Tayla Divitini Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Chris Hemsworth[31]
2005 $3,017,000 $608,000 $601,000 Nicholas Travia & Tahnee Hardy Kasey Chambers, Alex Lloyd
2006 $3,217,437 $739,000 $725,000 Teagan Bryam Guy Sebastian
2007 $6,527,576 $620,000 $500,000 Bridgette Gilmour Darren Hayes, Damien Leith, Anthony Callea, Young Divas, Chris Vance
2008 $7,535,678 $830,000 $600,000 Taylor Tasseff & Claire Davies (Claire died two years later) Damien Leith, Vanessa Amorosi, Troye Sivan
2009 $6,374,775 $862,000 $600,000 Wade Clare & Trent Wailu Jimmy Barnes, Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian, Ian Moss
2010 $9,237,539 $865,000 $600,000 Phoebe McIndoe & Lachy Ross Carrie Fisher, Booboo Stewart, Kate Ceberano, Jessica Mauboy
2011 $13,473,159 $560,000 $460,000 Savanna Addis & Ben Popham (Savanna died in 2018 and a tribute was played during the 2018 broadcast) Def Leppard, The Ten Tenors, Booboo Stewart, Potbelleez, Jon Stevens
2012 $16,805,622 $1,200,000 $620,000 Sophie Read & Conor Brown Elton John, Justice Crew, Daryl Braithwaite, Evermore, Adam Brand
2013 $20,701,272 $760,000 — Tahlia Polmear & Jack Day Tina Arena, Samantha Jade, Johnny Ruffo, The Harlem Globetrotters
2014 $25,271,542 $700,000 $625,000 Patrick Majewski & Emily Prior James Reyne, Justice Crew, The Collective
2015 $25,854,524 $707,500 $580,000 Alyssa Bolger & Jayton Carter Samantha Jade, Daryl Braithwaite, Nathaniel Willemse, Reigan Derry, Pseudo Echo, Dennis Locorriere
2016 $26,695,154 $750,000 $600,000 Cody Colmer & Hailey Ardagh Jessica Mauboy, Marcia Hines, Anthony Callea
2017 $35,431,381 $650,000 $900,000 Maddox Ball & Olivia Riley Dami Im, Pseudo Echo, Leo Sayer
2018 $38,000,554 $750,000 $344,908 Kaide Stratton & Charlotte Meredith[19] Leo Sayer, Lady Kitty Spencer
2019 $42,596,034 $655,000 — Callum Berrisford & Eva Molloy Guy Sebastian, Ricki-Lee Coulter
2020 $46,331,097 — — Eamon Doak & Nora Holly Casey Donovan and We Will Rock You, Samantha Jade, Ian Kenny, Kate Walsh, Katherine Langford, Ben Elton

References
  1. https://www.telethon7.com/about/
  2. https://www.telethon7.com/beneficiaries/2018-beneficiaries/
  3. http://telethon.7perth.com.au/index.php/news/item/178-wa-steps-up-for-telethon/178-wa-steps-up-for-telethon
  4. Fat Cat & Friends + Appearances, Telethon 7 Perth, archive of 11 Jan 2013
  5. Up to 15,000 tickets available for first ever Telethon Family Festival
  6. Mr Telethon Jeff Newman retires
  7. "Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) entry for NEWMAN, Jeffrey William". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 1994. Retrieved 24 October 2020. OAM/for service to charities and fundraising, particularly through the TVW 7 Telethon. Aust Day Award 1994
  8. About Telethon Archived October 10, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  9. Over 200 million reasons to be grateful for golf - the birth of Telethon
  10. 305 million reasons to smile as The West Australian looks back on the history of Telethon
  11. Stuart Wagstaff charmed Australian TV world
  12. Stuart Wagstaff remembered as WA's Mr Telethon
  13. Perth's love affair with Michael Jackson
  14. "Michael Jackson 1958-2009". Today Tonight. 2009-06-25. Seven Network. TVW. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  15. Hilburn, Robert (22 September 1985). "The long and winding road". Los Angeles Times.
  16. $6.5 million Telethon total smashes records
  17. Channel 7 Telethon breaks last year's record
  18. Chris Mainwaring tribute match a success
  19. https://www.telethon7.com/about/history/
  20. Telethon 2010 raises more than $9 million for sick WA children
  21. Telethon 2017 wrap
  22. Telethon 2018: Perth fundraiser cracks $300 million goal with another record year raking in $38m
  23. Telethon becomes two primetime events
  24. Telethon 2020: From free rides, games and showbags - here’s what you need to know ahead of Family Festival
  25. Telethon 2020: In this toughest of years, West Australians raise $46.3 million for our sickest kids
  26. "Official Telethon Perth Facebook Page". Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  27. "Telethon Through the Years". Telethon 7. Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  28. "Little Telethon Stars". Telethon 7. Retrieved 2014-10-27.
  29. "TVW in the 1980s". WA TV History. 2011-07-07.
  30. malgordon1 (2011-06-05), 1984 Telethon Home Auction, retrieved 2017-10-17
  31. #FlashbackFriday - Kiss From Chris Hemsworth
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