World News – AU – Against all odds, WA raises $ 46 3 million for Telethon

In a year when many in our community suffered the effects of the global pandemic and the future of WA’s favorite fundraiser was uncertain, West Australians came together and raised a record of $ 46 3 million for Telethon

Despite this year’s new format, Telethon’s spirit of giving has reached remarkable levels, with newly elected mayor Basil Zempilas hosting the two special evenings of entertainment

Favorite sports stars Nic Naitanui and Nat Fyfe along with Hollywood actress Kate Walsh have joined the Crown Theater star lineup in a spectacular effort to raise much needed funds for the children of WA

Mothers of children with cancer were among hundreds of volunteers who received donations over the phone, while special live performances from Inneka and Joel Jackson & the Moorditj Mob entertained audiences

Telethon’s second day of entertainment also featured an exclusive pre-recorded performance by Birds of Tokyo’s Ian Kenny with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra As color flooded Optus Stadium today – with no football in sight – the President of the Telethon, Richard Goyder, reflected on what may not have been

M Goyder admitted that when the pandemic took hold in March, he and his Telethon staff began to fear for the 50 organizations dependent on fundraising.

In April, he told The West Australian he believed the telethon would be part of the post-coronavirus WA rebirth

He saw this bold claim come true, with 25,000 people flocking to the Festival de la famille at the stadium Saturday night, the Telethon ball raised more than $ 3 million

« Starting in January, each day got exponentially worse, whether you were worried about an airline, a football competition, oil and gas, or Telethon, » Mr. Goyder, who is also chairman of Qantas, the AFL Commission and Woodside Petroleum told me

« Every day got worse with the idea that people were going to be locked in their homes and now reflect where we were in March and where we are today It’s a remarkable turnaround and an honor to all of you those who did the hard work

« We were so worried about the 50 beneficiary organizations that rely on Telethon every year and the generosity we had to find a way to fund these organizations and go further in medical research and I think everything will be fine »

M Goyder said that under the difficult circumstances he was again impressed by WA’s characteristic selflessness

« One thing you know about West Australians is that they are generous and will take care of our children, » he said.

« The community has done a lot of workcamps this year and we still haven’t been there, but it’s an opportunity for us to think that children live these things every day of their life and that we can do something for them « 

« Our state can be so proud of what we have achieved together this Telethon weekend, » he said

« The telethon is an integral part of WA’s community fabric, it symbolizes everything we stand for as a community

« Congratulations to everyone involved in organizing this incredible event, even in the midst of a global pandemic

« Considering the difficulties encountered by the organizers and the need for a new format due to COVID-19, I think it was the best to date The telethon is a wonderful cause WA »

The Telethon’s opening night got off to a good start with Casey Donovan and the cast of We Will Rock You releasing It’s a Kind of Magic and the title track for the Queen-inspired musical

Entertainment – and donations – flowed from there, with the grand total reaching $ 15,419,103 as of midnight Saturday.

Highlights included performances from YouTube thrills The Rybka Twins, with Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse singing Koorlangka Another highlight on Saturday was the teeming Federal Finance Minister Mathias Cormann nabbed from little Freya Cross, who showed that she had what it took to be Channel 7’s next political reporter Geof Parry

The youngster didn’t hold back, triggering a series of questions that put Mr. Cormann on the spot

Freya started by asking him what he was actually doing, then went straight to his impending retirement from politics.

« I heard you stop, are you getting too old? » she asked brazenly before moving on to the end of the interview – the money

The federal government, through Mr. Cormann, donated $ 4.8 million, up from $ 3.5 million donated last year

Big business came to the party as well, with mining giant BHP pledging $ 4 million, the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation adding $ 2 million and the Paul Ramsay Foundation giving $ 1 3 million

Telethon, Channel Seven Perth Telethon, Crown Perth, Seven Network, Western Australia, Basil Zempilas