In a year when many in our community suffered the effects of the global pandemic and the future of WA’s most popular fundraiser was uncertain, Western Australians have come together to raise a record $ 46.3 million for Telethon.
Despite this year’s new format, Telethon’s spirit of giving reached a remarkable level. The newly elected Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas organized the special two entertainment evenings.
Favorite sports stars Nic Naitanui and Nat Fyfe and Hollywood actress Kate Walsh joined the star-studded cast of the Crown Theater to raise much-needed money for the children of WA.
Mothers of children with cancer were among hundreds of volunteers who took donations over the phone while special live performances by Inneka and Joel Jackson & the Moorditj Mob kept the audience entertained.
The second day of Telethon’s entertainment also included an exclusive, pre-recorded performance by Birds of Tokyo’s Ian Kenny with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. When paint flooded Optus Stadium today – with no football in sight – Telethon chairman Richard Goyder pondered what might not have been.
Mr Goyder admitted that at the start of the pandemic in March, he and his Telethon staff feared for the 50 organizations that were relying on the fundraiser.
In April, he told The West Australian that he believed Telethon would be “part of the post-coronavirus resuscitation WA”.
He watched this bold claim come true and 25,000 people flocked to the stadium for the family festival. The Telethon Ball raised more than $ 3 million on Saturday night.
“As of January, every day got exponentially worse whether you were worried about an airline, a soccer competition, oil and gas, or telethon,” said Goyder, who is also chairman of Qantas, the AFL commission and Woodside Petroleum.
“Every day got worse with the thought that people would be locked up at home and now think about where we were in March and where we are today. It is a remarkable turning point and credit to all who have done the hard work.
“We were so concerned about the 50 beneficiary organizations that rely on Telethon each year, and the generosity … we had to find a way to fund these organizations and step up medical research, and I think we’ll be fine be . ”
Mr Goyder said that under the difficult circumstances, he was again in awe of WA’s selflessness.
“One thing you know about Western Australians is that they are generous and look after our children,” he said.
“The church has done a lot of hard yards this year and we’re still not through, but this is an opportunity for us to reflect that children are going through these things every day of their lives and we can do something for them.”
Premier Mark McGowan said the weekend demonstrated “how compassionate and united WA is”.
“Our state can be so proud of what we achieved together on this Telethon weekend,” he said.
“Telethon is a big part of the WA community and symbolizes everything we stand for as a community.
“Congratulations to everyone involved who brought this incredible event together in the middle of a global pandemic.
“Given the difficulties the organizers faced and the need for a new format due to COVID-19, I think it was the best so far. Telethon is a great thing in Washington. “
Telethon’s opening night kicked off with Casey Donovan and the cast of We Will Rock You. It’s kind of magic and the theme song of the Queen-inspired musical.
The entertainment – and the donations – flowed from there, with the total reaching $ 15,419,103 on Saturday by midnight.
Highlights included appearances by YouTube sensations The Rybka Twins, Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse singing Koorlangka. Another highlight of Saturday was the grilling Federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann, who came from little Freya Cross and showed that she has what it takes to become the next political reporter from Channel 7, Geof Parry.
The boy did not hold back and threw off a series of questions that put Mr. Cormann on the spot.
Freya first asked him what he was actually doing and then went straight into his impending retirement from politics.
“I heard you quit, are you getting too old?” she asked cheekily before getting to the business end of the interview – the money.
The federal government donated $ 4.8 million through Mr. Cormann, compared to $ 3.5 million the previous year.
Big business came to the party too: mining giant BHP pledged $ 4 million, the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation pledged $ 2 million and the Paul Ramsay Foundation pledged $ 1.3 million.
Woolworths donated $ 200,000, Bankwest $ 120,000, and Westrac and Perth Airport donated $ 50,000.
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