Channel Seven Perth Telethon

Overview[edit]

The Telethon broadcast usually runs around 26 hours non-stop, starting from 7.00pm on a Saturday night in October, broadcasting live across Western Australia on the Seven Network throughout the metropolitan area of Perth and across the rest of Western Australia; the broadcast was also carried by Seven-affiliate GWN7 in regional Western Australia before the network's dissolution in 2022. As of 2022 Telethon is held at Perth Arena;^[6] the event was originally held at TVW's former studios at Dianella, from 2005 to 2019 it was held at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre, and in 2020 and 2021 the opening and closing portions of the broadcast were held at the Crown Theatre at Crown Perth. The event aims to raise money for its beneficiaries from donations from private citizens, organisations, businesses 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, with one in the metropolitan area of Perth and one in a regional area of Western Australia.


Since its inception in 1968, one or more children currently undergoing treatment at Perth Children's Hospital (and before 2018, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children) are chosen by Telethon to represent all the children who benefit from the money raised during that year's event. Although one child has been traditionally chosen to be that year's representative, since 2008 two children, one from the metropolitan area and one from a regional area, have been chosen each year, and on occasion more than two children have been featured on Telethon. Since 2010 these children have been referred to as the "Little Telethon Stars", and their stories are highlighted in the lead up to and during the event. The first "Little Telethon Star" was Maryanne Lazerides, who was the youngest person to have open heart surgery at just 11 months old.^[7] Two former "Little Telethon Stars", Louise Sauvage and Ben Popham, have gone on to become gold medal winning Paralympians.^[8]


Talent from Seven Network shows such as Home & 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, Telethon has hosted a number of high profile international guests including Michael Jackson, Phyllis Diller, Carrie Fisher, and the Harlem Globetrotters. A number of Australian guests, such as Hugh Jackman, Chris Hemsworth, Samara Weaving, Ryan Kwanten and Troye Sivan, have also appeared on Telethon before achieving international fame themselves.^{[9][7][10][11]} Musical guests are also an integral part of the weekend's entertainment; 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, The Voice 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.^[12][13] 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.^[14]


A number of figures related to Telethon have been honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). In 1994 Jeff Newman was awarded for services to charity and fundraising through his work with Telethon and the Variety Club of Western Australia.^[15] In 2019 Glenn Christie was awarded for his service to the community through support for charitable initiatives, including 3 decades of volunteering to Telethon.^[16] Former "Little Telethon Star" Ben Popham was awarded for his services to sport in 2022.^[17] In 1998 Stuart Wagstaff was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to the community, particularly through Telethon by raising funds for charities that support children's medical research.^[18]