Telethon 2022 raised a reported $71.4 million, and its cumulative fundraising total passed $500 million during the weekend. The West Australian’s retrospective of the Perth telecast picked ten moments spanning major gifts, live-show comedy, hospital visits and children taking the stage. They are the newspaper’s highlights, not an official ranking.
Fundraising milestones and major gifts
1. Telethon passed $500 million in cumulative fundraising
Shortly before 6 p.m., the cumulative total crossed the $500 million mark after 55 years of fundraising, according to The West Australian’s 2022 report. A conga line and archival footage helped mark the milestone on stage.
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2. The Prime Minister joined the phone bank in Telethon pyjamas
Anthony Albanese appeared on Sunday morning in limited-edition Telethon pyjamas, announced a reported $6 million government donation and took calls from donors. He later described speaking with callers, including a 12-year-old from Lake Macquarie who gave $10: “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. Hancock Prospecting increased its reported gift to $2 million
The West Australian reported that Hancock Prospecting donated $1 million on Saturday and increased the gift to $2 million on Sunday night. Roy Hill separately gave a reported $1 million. Giorgia Patten said, “The support Mrs Rinehart and Hancock Prospecting provide is critical to our success,” according to the newspaper.
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Live-show comedy and celebrity appearances
4. Seven personalities faced off in a lip-sync battle
Seven personalities dressed as famous singers for a lip-sync battle. David Koch performed as INXS frontman Michael Hutchence, while Home and Away actor Lynne McGranger appeared as Tina Turner. A second battle featured 7NEWS presenter Rick Ardon performing a Backstreet Boys song.
5. Luke Van Os took a pie to the face in the call centre
Home and Away actor Luke Van Os was pied while speaking in the call centre alongside Abbey Holmes, Rove McManus and Brian Taylor.
6. Actors and Manu Feildel went shirtless for donations
Matt Evans and Luke Van Os took off their shirts during the live show. Later, Manu Feildel accepted a $1,000 donation challenge to reveal what was under his shirt.
7. John Bradley’s mankini walk drew a $25,000 donation
The newspaper reported that 76-year-old Bull Creek resident John Bradley walked from north to south Cottesloe in a green mankini to raise money. After a dare to wear it in front of Albanese, the amount was topped up to a reported $25,000. Albanese joked, “I’ve gotta say Michael if I was to wear a mankini I don’t think I’d be welcome back,” then added, “It’s a human rights issue.”
Community visits and personal connections
8. Channel 7 and Home and Away cast members visited Perth Children’s Hospital
Channel 7 personalities and Home and Away cast members met children at Perth Children’s Hospital. The West Australian included the visit among the weekend’s memorable moments; the children’s private health details are not needed to recount it.
9. Sandra Hickman won a Hyundai Tucson after contributing $100
Comedian Rove McManus delivered the keys to a Hyundai Tucson that The West Australian reported was worth more than $53,000. Hickman’s $100 contribution was the winning entry. She connected Telethon to her grandson’s difficult birth and life with cerebral palsy, saying: “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.” She joked, “If I could jump higher, I would.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Children took over the broadcast
10. Kids Take Over Hour put young presenters on air
Six children joined TV presenter Matt Shirvington and 7NEWS’s Syan Vallance to read donations and introduce acts. Premier Mark McGowan gave them quokka toys. One of the children, Indi, asked Manu Feildel what question he had never been asked in an interview. His answer was: “If I’m really French.”
What the reported totals mean
The West Australian reported a final Telethon 2022 tally of $71.4 million donated by West Australians, alongside the cumulative $500 million milestone. These are figures from the newspaper’s October 2022 retrospective, not current totals or independently audited figures. The article does not provide a separate accounting methodology or reconciliation.
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Telethon 2022 was also a return to the familiar entertainment format, with Seven’s major stars back in Western Australia for the first time in three years, the newspaper reported. The ten moments show how its retrospective balanced fundraising news with performances, public appearances and audience participation.
Source: Kellie Balaam, The West Australian, October 24, 2022.
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