WA’s record-breaking Telethon to open on a national stage to raise crucial funds for sick children

For almost six decades, the rest of Australia could only look on with envy from across the Nullarbor as Western Australia threw a spectacular opening party for the biggest, boldest, and most generous television event in the country.

Now, for the first time in Telethon’s glittering 59-year history, the opening for the iconic 26-hour extravaganza will take centre stage, beaming into living rooms right across Australia on Channel 7.

Families from Broome to Brisbane and everywhere in between will be able to watch the opening show kick off live on the main channel, before switching over on Sunday morning to catch every laugh, tear, pie-in-the-face, and musical spectacle live on 7flix.

It’ll be a chance for the whole country to come together and watch the undisputed king of the small screen, our much-loved bow-tie-wearing mascot Fat Cat, defy his famous 7.30pm bedtime after waiting all year to stay up for the entire TV marathon.

What started as a bold vision by philanthropist Sir James Cruthers and Brian Treasure back in 1968, has gone where no one could have imagined, snowballing into an unstoppable juggernaut of generosity.

Telethon is one of the biggest charity fundraisers in the world, with last year’s total tally topping $90 million and taking the overall total raised above a staggering $778 million.

Telethon chairman Richard Goyder AO said broadcasting the Telethon opening ceremony to the country across Channel 7 would bring more people together to create a better and brighter future for children and families in need.

“We’re incredibly proud of our Western Australian roots and the generosity of this community, but the impact of that generosity reaches well beyond our State,” Mr Goyder said.

“The research and programs we support are helping make a difference to children and families right across Australia, and in some cases, around the world.”

In 2025, the record-breaking $90.1 million was raised in donations supporting 147 children’s charities and organisations which helped support 516 child health workers, provide 3,044 pieces of equipment, and deliver 199 programs and services.

Mr Goyder said the funding grants from Telethon continue to deliver life-changing community programs and vital services every day.

“Through our support of The Kids Research Institute Australia, we’re helping researchers tackle some of the biggest challenges in children’s health,” he said.

“The work of Professor Chris Blyth and his colleagues on the RSV vaccine is a great example of why long-term investment in research matters.

“RSV can cause serious illness in babies, and the research being undertaken here in WA has helped inform approaches to protecting infants.”

Telethon donations have also made an impact in autism research, helping inform Australia’s national guidelines for diagnosis and early intervention.

“Now, through the Telethon-funded COMPASS research program, researchers are building on that work to develop more personalised ways to support autistic children with their communication skills,” Mr Goyder said.

“The potential for this research to help thousands more children across Australia is incredibly exciting.

“The outcomes we help make possible don’t stop at the border — when we invest in children and their futures, we’re investing in a stronger, healthier Australia for generations to come.”

What has made the annual Telethon event the envy of the nation is its track record of drawing in the world’s biggest stars to Perth, and the determined team that ensure it goes ahead year-after-year.

The events honour roll boasts Sir Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, and Sammy Davis Jr, who have all answered the call for sick kids.

Sir Cliff Richard, Def Leppard, Harry Connick Jr, Julian Lennon and Petula Clark to Carrie Fisher, Bea Arthur, Phyllis Diller, and our own Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth have rolled up their sleeves for the cause over the decades.

None have rivalled the sheer pandemonium of the monumental 1985 Telethon when the King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson, touched down in Western Australia at the height of his global fame and spent precious time hanging out with the Telethon Little Stars.

The 2026 line-up is ready to write its own chapter into the history books.

Australian pop powerhouse Jessica Mauboy is returning to bring the house down at both the opening and closing ceremonies.

Chart-topping country star Morgan Evans will make his long-awaited Telethon debut, while Natalie Bassingthwaighte and the Rogue Traders are primed to belt out their iconic electro-rock anthems.

They will be joined on stage by Human Nature’s Phil Burton, the 60 Four, The Ten Tenors, powerhouse vocalist Mark Vincent, Gisella Colletti and Boox Kid.

There’s always plenty of banter and locker-room hijinks expected as well when AFL premiership heroes Shane Crawford, Kane Cornes and Campbell Brown return.

Cult commentary legend Brian Taylor will join them and so will West Coast Eagles great, and WA’s favourite son, Ben Cousins.

Household favourites from Home and Away, Better Homes and Gardens, Sunrise, The Morning Show and The Chase will also be manning the phones and joining the madness.

But, behind the celebs and glamour, the true heartbeat of the weekend has always been the Telethon Little Stars.

A select group of pint-sized heroes are picked each year to represent the thousands of children whose lives are transformed by the generosity.

Footy-mad nine-year-old Aiden Narsico will have his ultimate dream come true at this year’s historic national broadcast by making his debut on television.

Aiden was born prematurely at 31 weeks and almost died in his mum’s arms when he was just days old before spending the first 14 months of his life in hospital where doctors diagnosed him with Congenital Central Hypoventilation Syndrome.

It’s a rare genetic condition affecting his autonomic nervous system, essentially his brain does not always tell his body to breathe or swallow.

He lives with a permanent tracheostomy and relies on a ventilator whenever he sleeps, carries a portable ventilator, and requires round-the-clock nursing care and specialist support, but that hasn’t held him back.

Aiden will be sharing the spotlight with seven-year-old Olivia Street, a fighter who doctors did not know would ever take an independent step.

She lives with scoliosis and Collagen VI-related Myopathy, a rare genetic condition affecting every muscle in her body that means everyday tasks like breathing, coughing, chewing and swallowing can require specialised equipment and support.

Olivia still pushes through it all with a smile.

Then there is eight-year-old Paige McKay, who has weathered storms most adults could never fathom.

At just five years old, she was diagnosed with a rapidly growing tumour placed so precariously in her brain steam that it cannot be safely removed.

A clinical trial has helped shrink the tumour, but Paige faces challenges ahead, made easier with the support of Telethon beneficiaries Camp Quality and the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Australia will be able to meet Aiden, Olivia, and Paige this Saturday by tuning-in to the Telethon broadcast on Channel 7 and 7plus from 10pm daylight saving time on the East Coast, and 9.30pm for South Australia and the Northern Territory.