Article by Kellie Balaam courtesy of The West Australian.
It was another Telethon weekend to remember with lots of laughs, love and even a mankini!
These were our highlights
- Hitting $500 million
- PM in PJs
- Lip-sync battle
- Rinehart’s donation
- Pie face
- Hospital visit
- Mankini
- Brand new car
- Shirts off
- Kids take over
This year’s Telethon was back to its old tricks — lots of old-fashioned entertainment as Seven’s biggest stars returned to WA for the first time in three years.
While there were hours of entertaining and enjoyable moments, with a bit of chaos thrown in, over the Telethon telecast, we have narrowed it down to some of the biggest, funniest, weirdest and most memorable.
1. Hitting $500 million
The donation tally rolled over to a milestone figure just before 6pm on Sunday when the total amount raised since Telethon’s inception hit a staggering $500 million.
A conga line erupted and snaked around the stage as the people of WA were thanked for generous donations over the past 55 years.
Flashbacks to previous fundraising years were played on a screen while the magnificent moment in Telethon history was celebrated.
2. PM in PJs
On Sunday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made an appearance on stage in his limited edition Telethon pyjamas.
He announced the Federal Government’s whopping $6 million donation that “unites the State of WA”.
Mr Albanese then hit the phones and took several calls from the generous Australian
communities wanting to help make a difference for sick children and their families.
“It was a great chance to talk to people, to talk to pensioners, retired people, a young person, a 12-year-old from Lake Macquarie in NSW gave $10. How good is that,” he said.
3. Lip-sync battle
Saturday night kicked off the first lip-sync battle that saw Seven’s stars dressed up as famous singers as they went head-to-head to win bragging rights.
David Koch looked the part as Michael Hutchence as he belted out an INXS classic and Home & Away’s Lynne McGranger dressed up as Tina Turner in a crazy wig complete with an animal print outfit.
Also bringing out the dance moves were Mark Beretta and Larry Emdur who even unzipped his black leather jacket to reveal a little skin.
The second battle took place on Sunday afternoon and 7NEWS presenter Rick Ardon
emerged in an all-white sleek outfit for a rendition of a Backstreet Boys song.
4. Rinehart’s donation
Gina Rinehart’s mining company Hancock Prospecting donated an incredible $1 million on Saturday, which was topped up to $2m on Sunday night.
Little Telethon Stars Leo Beazley, Emily Siew and Ari Phillips were all smiles as they joined 7NEWS presenter Susannah Carr for Saturday’s cheque announcement, which was handed over by Australian Olympic rowers Giorgia Patten and Jack Cleary, who were joined by Hancock Prospecting staff. Hancock Prospecting is a major partner of Rowing Australia.
“The support Mrs Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting provide is critical to our success,” Patten said.
One of Mrs Rinehart’s other companies, Roy Hill, also gifted $1 million.
5. Pie face
Home and Away star Luke Van Os copped a pie in the face during an unexpected moment in the call centre.
Still smiling, Van Os was caught out while talking with sport presenter Abbey Holmes, Rove McManus and Brian Taylor.
6. Hospital visit
Some Channel 7 stars spent part of Saturday afternoon visiting kids at Perth Children’s Hospital, bringing plenty of smiles to many.
Sonia Kruger, David Koch, Natalie Barr, Mark Beretta and Larry Emdur were joined by Manu Feildel who added some celebrity-chef sparkle to the kids’ corridors.
Also on deck were some of the cast of Home and Away including Lynne McGranger, Ada Nicodemou, Matt Evans, Jacqui Purvis, Luke Van Os, Kirsty Marillier and Juliet Godwin.
Some of the kids the celebs visited included Jas McGough, 14, who fractured her spine when she fell from her mountain bike, little three-year-old Hayden Wall with a debilitating heart condition and four-year-olds Sophia Donovan and Rafael Buccini.
7. Mankini
It was the moment that sure gave Mr Albanese the shock of his life when 76-year-old John Bradley approached him in a green mankini.
The Bull Creek man raised money by walking from north to south Cottesloe in a mankini and the donation was topped up to $25,000 after he was dared dared to wear it in front of the PM for Telethon.
While it was made clear the PM was welcome back to the west anytime, he pointed out it wouldn’t be in a mankini.
“I’ve gotta say, Michael, if I was to wear a mankini, I don’t think I’d be welcome back,” he said.
“It’s a human rights issue.”
8. Brand new car
Sandra Hickman could not help but jump for joy when Australian comedian Rove McManus knocked on her door and handed over the keys to a new car on Sunday night.
The Perth grandmother, whose grandson was born on Telethon weekend 31 years ago, was visibly shocked her $100 contribution had scored her a Hyundai Tucson valued at more than $53,000. “Telethon means a lot to me because … my grandson Jordan … had a difficult birth, which resulted in cerebral palsy. And he is living a fabulous life. We thank everyone who has helped him.””
9. Shirts off
Home and Away actor Matt Evans was the first person to take his shirt off, getting his athletic torso out in full show for live television.
Luke Van Os got his shirt off the following day while on a panel with the likes of Larry Emdur, Charlie Albone and Rove McManus after fans questioned if his Home and Away character’s tattoos were real.
Removing his shirt showed a heavily-inked but well-toned body.
On Sunday evening as the event was drawing to a close, Manu Feildel dared to bare all when a $1000 donation was offered for him to reveal what was under his shirt.
10. Kids take over
On Sunday, six children took control of the panel with TV presenter Matt Shirvington and 7NEWS’ Syan Vallance for the Kids Take Over Hour where they read donations and introduced acts.
Premier Mark McGowan made a surprise appearance and gifted the kids quokka toys.
My Kitchen Rules star Manu Feildel also made a guest appearance and was put under the spotlight when he was asked several questions by young Indi.
When asked “what question have you never been asked in an interview”, he replied: “If I’m really French.”
