Telethon Mega Bingo 2025 sees 5000 people from as far as England compete for cash while helping sick kids
Players — both experienced and novice — intently followed calls like 'legs eleven' and 'clickety-click' with dreams of spending big on a new kitchen or overseas holiday.
And when first-time player Natasha Newberry shouted 'bingo' to secure $37,500 cash, a huge round of loud cheers filled the room.
Ms Newbery, who has seven children and one grandchild on the way, said she couldn't wait to share the winnings with the family.
'It's like a dream come true, I came in with high spirits but I never thought it would actually happen,' she said.
Players came dressed for success, some in rubber duckie onesies, others wearing floral headpieces, all adding to the vibrancy of the day.
Among the enthralled crowd was 61-year-old Gary Thomas, who flew all the way from England to take part in the bingo extravaganza.
Mr Thomas had been hearing about the Telethon Mega Bingo from friends who had volunteered since the very first bingo event in 2008, and said he 'had to see what it was all about'.
'I arrived in Perth last night and I leave tomorrow evening,' he said.
'I always knew I was going to come do it one day... I will be back for sure, I am having a lot of fun.'
Monique Archer racked up some frequent flyer points too, jetting over from Brisbane for a quick two-day break to take part in the Mega Bingo.
'I'm from Perth originally but I've lived in Queensland for 17 years. All my best girlfriends are still here so I often come back for the event,' she said.
'I grew up watching Telethon on TV. When I go home I feel like my soul is filled having spent time with my best friends and sister and helping raise money for children in WA.'
Karen Raftos — the first-ever prize winner at the very first Telethon Mega Bingo — was there with her daughter Rachel Wright and mum Helen Raftos.
Ms Raftos has been a Telethon lover for as long as she can remember and experienced the true magic of Telethon first-hand when her daughter was diagnosed with Kabuki Syndrome.
'Knowing how generous and supportive everyone in this room is of sick children, that is why we haven't missed a year, the atmosphere is just incredible,' Ms Raftos said.
While this year there was a lower age limit of 12, there was nothing stopping 97-year-old Doreen Hughes — who has attended the event since 2009 — from trying her luck.
Tony Ashford was the lucky winner of a brand new GWM Haval Jolion Luxury. There is another to be won on Sunday; each vehicle is valued at nearly $30,000.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
19 hours ago
- Perth Now
Nat Barr's advice for parents set to become empty nesters
It's taken almost two years for Sunrise host Natalie Barr and her husband Andrew to fully accept the reality of being empty nesters. 'It had never occurred to me what my life would be like when they walked out,' the mother of two told The Sunday Times. While the silence of a quiet home can be deafening, Barr has been open in sharing her experiences with those entering the next phase of parenting. Unfortunately, she admitted, there isn't too much she can say to fill the void. 'I've talked to quite a few women and some men who sort of stood back and said, 'Gee, I wasn't prepared for this. It's not something I thought about the moment they left home',' she said. 'I don't actually know how you prepare yourself, because you do spend quite a bit of time being immersed in that whole family dynamic where often you wish you'd have more time for yourself, and then all of a sudden you've got all this time to yourself. 'So be careful what you wish for.' Sunrise presenter Nat Barr has opened up on her recent skin cancer diagnosis, revealing the news was 'a huge wake-up call'. Credit: Instagram Grateful her two sons return home regularly, with her eldest based interstate, Barr said she's been forced to reflect on all the shared memories from their childhood. However, the 57-year-old insists it's not healthy to dwell for too long, 'because my life moves on, doesn't it?' Discovering time stretches further when there are less distractions at home, she and her husband have set their sights on more travel abroad. Squeezing a recent getaway to Europe into their schedules, the couple were worried their two-week intercontinental dash would not bring the desired refresh. But it proved more than enough. 'Two weeks away when you haven't got little kids feels like a lot longer,' Barr admitted. 'We had a great trip actually,' she added, somewhat guiltily. 'We hadn't been away without the kids on a really sort of fancy trip like that for years.' Shifting gears between cocktails by the pool, and treading the cobblestones of historic cities, the increasingly frequent flyer even found a weekend this winter to return home to WA. And this time, as an grown up kid herself, the Bunbury luminary leaned into her other mother-child dynamic. As a tourism ambassador for our State, Barr was only too happy to sing WA's praises to her East Coast fans as she and her mum enjoyed long winery lunches, and soaked in the fresh air of Margaret River's coastline. 'That was a really beautiful experience, actually, just spending time together, but also going to places that someone else had given us on an itinerary, and quite a few of them even we hadn't been to,' she said. While she's spent decades away from WA since her early years as a journalist, the popular personality continues to annually visit her family's holiday house in Dunsborough that's been in their possession since the '70s. Just like each stage of life, the Telethon regular believes morning TV forces her to be open to a deviation from the script. Her favourite moment of each workday is the minutes before showtime that she and co-presenter Matt Shirvington ponder what might happen in the ensuing four hours, aware they could lose control at any time. 'Sometimes we'll go by the schedule, but we have no idea,' Barr admitted. 'That's still the thrill of going live across Australia and having no idea what's going to happen next.'
West Australian
28-07-2025
- West Australian
AC Milan players visit Perth Children's Hospital ahead of Thursday nights clash against Perth Glory
There were hugs, high-fives and heartwarming smiles at Perth Children's Hospital on Monday as some of the world's biggest football stars traded in their boots for an afternoon of signing scarves and sharing stories. Italian football giants AC Milan, back in WA for a blockbuster clash with Perth Glory on Thursday, made a surprise stop at the hospital to lift the spirits of some of the State's bravest young patients. They also paid a visit to Telethon beneficiaries including Radio Lollipop, Starlight Children's Foundation and the Kids Cancer Support Group. Among the high-profile visitors were legendary players Samuele Ricci, Yunus Musah, Matteo Gabbia and Filippo Terracciano. Former AC Milan player Zeljko Kalac, who represented Australia on the international stage for over a decade as a Socceroo, also stopped by. Aspiring soccer player Tyler Stewart, 10, was over the moon after meeting the football stars and told The West Australian he would treasure the moment forever. 'This hand, I'm never going to wash it again . . . because I got all the high-fives on this hand,' he said. 'At first I felt shy, but then I just opened up my shell. I think they're my favourite team now . . . my favourite team before was Manchester City.' Tyler has had 12 surgeries on his legs — with number 13 looming — since being struck by a taxi while on holiday in New York on Christmas day. But he said it is all worth it after meeting the superstars today. 'I can't wait to tell my friends at school,' he said. For 11-year-old Mathew Scojceski — a lifelong AC Milan fan and childhood cancer survivor — the moment was something he'd dreamed of. '(I feel) special, like that I actually got to speak to them one-on-one and meet them in person. They were very cool and friendly, and they made me feel welcomed,' he said after chatting to Terracciano. Mathew, who underwent major spinal surgery in March, didn't hesitate to tip the scoreline for Thursday's match. 'I think it will be three-nil to AC Milan . . . AC Milan all the way,' he said. For Kalac — who spent five years at the storied club — he said making kids' faces light up is part of the job. 'Watching everything (AC Milan) do for kids and for charities, it's just a great, great club,' he said. 'For these guys that are professionals to come out, and no one complains about coming out doing all this, they really come out, because of what these kids are going through... they know they need to be there and support them and give them that energy and that inspiration. 'That's part of being a footballer . . . bringing so much joy to people's faces.' Musah, who first visited Perth with the team 18 months ago, said it was great to be back in town with some of WA's toughest little soldiers. 'It's been great coming back . . . it's a country where everyone welcomes us really well, and it's just a beautiful city,' he said. 'It's just nice getting to see how people are going through things in their life, and see how they're recovering and stuff and it's nice to be someone that can inspire them to heal. 'I know that when I was younger, I would have loved the same so it's nice to have that impact now.' Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said he thinks kids like Mathew and Tyler could teach the all-stars a thing or two about strength. 'These guys are some of the best players in the world — champions — and they've taken the time to talk to kids here at the hospital,' he said. 'The courage these kids show, the challenges they face... it's remarkable. They could probably teach these players a thing or two about how to play the game.' Thursday night's match at HBF Park marks AC Milan's second visit to Perth in as many years, after last year's game against Roma drew thousands to Optus Stadium.
Perth Now
28-07-2025
- Perth Now
Some of world's greatest football players visit kids at PCH
There were hugs, high-fives and heartwarming smiles at Perth Children's Hospital on Monday as some of the world's biggest football stars traded in their boots for an afternoon of signing scarves and sharing stories. Italian football giants AC Milan, back in WA for a blockbuster clash with Perth Glory on Thursday, made a surprise stop at the hospital to lift the spirits of some of the State's bravest young patients. They also paid a visit to Telethon beneficiaries including Radio Lollipop, Starlight Children's Foundation and the Kids Cancer Support Group. Among the high-profile visitors were legendary players Samuele Ricci, Yunus Musah, Matteo Gabbia and Filippo Terracciano. Former AC Milan player Zeljko Kalac, who represented Australia on the international stage for over a decade as a Socceroo, also stopped by. Aspiring soccer player Tyler Stewart, 10, was over the moon after meeting the football stars and told The West Australian he would treasure the moment forever. 'This hand, I'm never going to wash it again . . . because I got all the high-fives on this hand,' he said. 'At first I felt shy, but then I just opened up my shell. I think they're my favourite team now . . . my favourite team before was Manchester City.' Tyler has had 12 surgeries on his legs — with number 13 looming — since being struck by a taxi while on holiday in New York on Christmas day. But he said it is all worth it after meeting the superstars today. Royce White, 11, playing with Matteo Gabbia. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian 'I can't wait to tell my friends at school,' he said. For 11-year-old Mathew Scojceski — a lifelong AC Milan fan and childhood cancer survivor — the moment was something he'd dreamed of. '(I feel) special, like that I actually got to speak to them one-on-one and meet them in person. They were very cool and friendly, and they made me feel welcomed,' he said after chatting to Terracciano. Mathew, who underwent major spinal surgery in March, didn't hesitate to tip the scoreline for Thursday's match. 'I think it will be three-nil to AC Milan . . . AC Milan all the way,' he said. Mathew Stojceski, 11, with Filippo Terracciano and Zeljko Kalac. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian For Kalac — who spent five years at the storied club — he said making kids' faces light up is part of the job. 'Watching everything (AC Milan) do for kids and for charities, it's just a great, great club,' he said. 'For these guys that are professionals to come out, and no one complains about coming out doing all this, they really come out, because of what these kids are going through... they know they need to be there and support them and give them that energy and that inspiration. 'That's part of being a footballer . . . bringing so much joy to people's faces.' Musah, who first visited Perth with the team 18 months ago, said it was great to be back in town with some of WA's toughest little soldiers. 'It's been great coming back . . . it's a country where everyone welcomes us really well, and it's just a beautiful city,' he said. 'It's just nice getting to see how people are going through things in their life, and see how they're recovering and stuff and it's nice to be someone that can inspire them to heal. 'I know that when I was younger, I would have loved the same so it's nice to have that impact now.' Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said he thinks kids like Mathew and Tyler could teach the all-stars a thing or two about strength. 'These guys are some of the best players in the world — champions — and they've taken the time to talk to kids here at the hospital,' he said. 'The courage these kids show, the challenges they face... it's remarkable. They could probably teach these players a thing or two about how to play the game.' Thursday night's match at HBF Park marks AC Milan's second visit to Perth in as many years, after last year's game against Roma drew thousands to Optus Stadium.
