Latest news with #Telethon
Perth Now
5 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
Helping shape a better future through power of giving
Inspired after a recent visit to Perth Children's Hospital, a group of Geraldton students are combining compassion and creativity to harness the power of fundraising and storytelling — all in the name of Telethon. The Year 6 students from Geraldton's St Francis Xavier Primary School are jumping on board the Kids Helping Kids storytelling competition, which launches on Monday as part of the Premier's Telethon Challenge. Their teacher Kieya Smith said her class was so inspired and moved from a visit to PCH during a Year 6 camp in May, they straight away asked what they could do for Telethon. 'They came back, and they were like, 'Let's raise some money,' it all started from that, and they've kicked off and kept rolling, and have lots of drive behind it,' she said. Ms Smith praised the students' initiative, saying their efforts had brought a fresh energy to the school. 'In most of our lessons, we do something towards this,' she said. The class was introduced to the Premier's Telethon Challenge, a Statewide school fundraising initiative, and sprung into action. Every Tuesday, the class splits into factions to develop and run unique fundraising activities, placing donation boxes in the classrooms, running bake sales and getting support from local businesses. One recent highlight was a school-wide pyjama day, which raised $662, adding to a total of $6740 raised towards their $8000 goal. Their next challenge is the Kids Helping Kids storytelling competition, which invites WA students, from kindergarten to Year 12, to reflect on how they and their school are shaping a brighter future through fundraising for WA kids. Asked how it feels knowing his story could help other kids, Year 6 student Flynn Hosking said: 'It's a good feeling because you know how much they need it.' Classmate Leeuwin Griffin added it was 'just not fair' what these kids were going through. 'We've been trying to get people to show more empathy for them,' he said. Fellow student Indie Haines is positive the fundraising will make a difference. 'There will be a lot more money getting put into research and so that means more cures to help a heap of sicknesses,' she said. The students remain focused on their goal of not just raising funds, but of raising awareness. Storytelling competition entries can take any written or visual form — from short stories and photography to posters and poems. It is open until Friday, August 15 and winning entries from four age categories will be published in The West Australian. Schools can submit one entry per age category. For more information visit
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
On The Up: Oldest living All Black Brian Steele, 96, shares secret to longevity
He only got his chance to appear in the All Black trials because Wellington's first-choice halfback Vince Bevan was forced out with injuries. Steele's trial saw him play three games in Wellington and Palmerston North. He said it was a hard trial because everyone he was playing was so good. 'I enjoyed it and I was lucky to get through,' he said. The All Blacks team headed to Sydney from Evans Bay in Wellington on a Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) flying boat, a flight that would take eight hours. It was the ideal duration for Steele and the team's other newbies to get their heads around actions and words for the haka. Steele said he wouldn't be able to perform it today as he doesn't remember the words. Playing in every game and test of the tour, Steele's speed, ball handling, and smarts helped the All Blacks win every game and take the Bledisloe Cup back from the Wallabies after losing it to them in 1949. Oldest living All Black, Brian Steele, takes on the Wallabies on the 1951 All Blacks tour of Australia. Although Steele wasn't able to get a try in the series, he did manage a dropped goal against a Combined XV in Wagga Wagga and a conversion when he and legendary winger Ron Jarden swapped their regular positions, with Steele typically being the one to hold the ball as Jarden kicked. 'That was the style of the time, and the balls were heavy because they were made of leather,' Steele said. Despite a strong showing in the team at a young age, Steele never played for the All Blacks again, nor did he receive another trial. But Steele is happy his record with the All Blacks will forever remain a 100% win rate. Oldest living All Black Brian Steele's portrait from the 1951 All Blacks tour of Australia. Outside of rugby, Steele was a carpenter on high-rise buildings in Wellington until the city's miserable weather motivated him to relocate to Havelock North in 1968 with his wife and five children. After rugby, Steele became a mountain climber and marathon runner, completing 25 marathons around the world. 'You've got to keep fit, or you'll lose it all,' he said of his motivation. He also became a big supporter of charity through his work with Telethon, the 24-hour live television spectacular raising funds for charitable causes in the country that ran through the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Steele's charity work on the shows saw him live in a caravan atop scaffolding at the Write Price supermarket at the site of Hastings Pak'nSave. He also lived in a six-foot by four-foot (1.82m x 1.21m) hut atop a pole for a week, with people dropping food and donations into a bucket attached to a rope. Steele said he remembered having to send down excrement in a separate bucket. As Christian Cullen's great-uncle, Steele said he never had any advice to give the Paekākāriki Express, because 'he was that good'. Today, Steele lives a happy life at a rest home in Havelock North and is a proud grandfather to 11 and great-grandfather to three. He still watches the rugby and cheers on his old team, but he doesn't enjoy watching it on TV as much as he would at the stadium. 'On the TV, the camera goes right in and when we go to the game, we sit in the stadium and we get to watch the full picture,' he said. At 96, Steele is just four years away from becoming the second ever All Black to hit 100, and he's sure he can make it. 'Come back and see me in 2029,' he said with a laugh. Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke's Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in Auckland, London, Berlin, and Napier.
West Australian
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Telethon 2025: Perth Daycare kids put smile on seniors' faces as they whip up sweet treats for bake sale
Laughter filled a Kingsley retirement home as daycare children whipped up cupcakes with the elderly residents, all in the name of raising money for Telethon. Children from Growing Cherubs family home daycare have a special place in the hearts of Barridale Lodge Kingsley residents as they visited the home weekly. Elderbloom Community Care Centres chief executive Rory Fryters said the intergenerational playgroup was a highlight of the week for the seniors. 'The intergenerational playgroup is a really important part of our program, it continues to foster meaningful connections to the community for our residents, as well as for the children and their families,' he said. The weekly visit on Wednesday was even more special with flour, sprinkles, and frosting filling the table as kids and the residents were busy making cupcakes for a Telethon bake sale. Daycare owner Frances Svilicich said Telethon was a WA fundraiser that both the children and seniors knew well so it was an easy choice to host a bake sale for the cause. 'The kids have been talking about Telethon and they wanted to do something for the children. 'We've never fundraised before but I think it'll be a yearly event now.' Seven-year-old Sienna Edwards said her favourite part of the day was making cupcakes with residents like Louise Samuels. 'I want to help other kids so they can go home to their families,' she said. 'I remember when Telethon first started. I've been watching it since it came out — it's great,' Barridale Lodge resident Brian Cox said. 'We are glad to get the kids involved in fundraising like this. I love doing it.' There is still time to hose a bake sale or morning tea before July 30, to register visit this link . RAC Arena and the Perth CBD will come alive on October 18 and 19 for Telethon with the funds raised ensuring beneficiaries and children's charities can continue to improve the lives of sick and vulnerable WA kids. The 26-hour broadcast showcasing performances, generous donations and all-around fun will be live on Channel 7 and 7plus.
Perth Now
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Perth's Old and young whip up sweet treats for Telethon
Laughter filled a Kingsley retirement home as daycare children whipped up cupcakes with the elderly residents, all in the name of raising money for Telethon. Children from Growing Cherubs family home daycare have a special place in the hearts of Barridale Lodge Kingsley residents as they visited the home weekly. Elderbloom Community Care Centres chief executive Rory Fryters said the intergenerational playgroup was a highlight of the week for the seniors. Sienna Le Donne (4) with Sheila Howe. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian 'The intergenerational playgroup is a really important part of our program, it continues to foster meaningful connections to the community for our residents, as well as for the children and their families,' he said. The weekly visit on Wednesday was even more special with flour, sprinkles, and frosting filling the table as kids and the residents were busy making cupcakes for a Telethon bake sale. Daycare owner Frances Svilicich said Telethon was a WA fundraiser that both the children and seniors knew well so it was an easy choice to host a bake sale for the cause. Ollie Kennedy 2yo with resident Hazel Ward. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian 'The kids have been talking about Telethon and they wanted to do something for the children. 'We've never fundraised before but I think it'll be a yearly event now.' Seven-year-old Sienna Edwards said her favourite part of the day was making cupcakes with residents like Louise Samuels. 'I want to help other kids so they can go home to their families,' she said. 'I remember when Telethon first started. I've been watching it since it came out — it's great,' Barridale Lodge resident Brian Cox said. 'We are glad to get the kids involved in fundraising like this. I love doing it.' There is still time to hose a bake sale or morning tea before July 30, to register visit this link. RAC Arena and the Perth CBD will come alive on October 18 and 19 for Telethon with the funds raised ensuring beneficiaries and children's charities can continue to improve the lives of sick and vulnerable WA kids. The 26-hour broadcast showcasing performances, generous donations and all-around fun will be live on Channel 7 and 7plus.
West Australian
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Telethon 2025: Emma Memma reunites with Little Telethon Stars ahead of appearance at fundraising weekend
A stellar list of celebrities from across the country will join the Telethon fundraising extravaganza this year. Crowd favourite Emma Memma cannot get enough of Perth as she is set to return to Telethon to put a smile on kids' faces for a third year in a row. Emma Memma — or Emma Watkins as she is known off-stage — reunited with last year's Little Telethon Stars backstage at her Perth show on Monday, sharing her excitement about returning. 'It's pretty exciting to be back and see the Telethon Stars but also to be able to perform with some of the local children here,' she said. 'Telethon holds a very special place in my heart, it's such an incredible and important event, and I can't wait to be back in Perth, singing, dancing and signing with everyone again.' Telethon weekend is always packed with a star-studded lineup, and this year is no exception. Rock favourite Shannon Noll will bring a dose of classic Aussie songs with his anthems including What About Me, Drive, and Lift. 'I'm thrilled to be invited back after performing at the Telethon weekend more than a decade ago,' he said. 'It will be so great to once again be involved in such an incredible celebration and it's all for the kids.' My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel will be joining the lineup, as will AFL legend Shane Crawford, who is willing to return despite being pied in the face at his debut Telethon appearance last year. They'll be joined by The Front Bar's Mick Molloy, bringing his trademark humour and footy banter to the weekend's festivities. A host of beloved Telethon regulars will be there including from Home and Away, Better Homes and Gardens, and The Chase as well as the 7NEWS Perth team. But none of the stars are as popular as Telethon's very own Fat Cat, who is sure to bring more signature moves and laughter to the broadcast in 2025. RAC Arena and the Perth CBD will come alive on October 18 and 19 for Telethon with the funds raised ensuring beneficiaries and children's charities can continue to improve the lives of sick and vulnerable WA kids. The 26-hour broadcast showcasing performances, generous donations and all-around fun will be live on Channel 7 and 7plus. Telethon raised a record $83.3 million last year thanks to the generosity of the West Australian community.
