Telethons in 1993
Starship Telethon (TV3)
In 1991 New Zealand welcomed one of its first purpose-built children’s hospitals, Starship Children’s Hospital. Located on the grounds of Auckland City Hospital, Starship aimed to provide a child friendly environment and appeal to the young and young at heart. To support the hospital and its critical services TV3 (now Three), in conjunction with Australian TV producers Michael Boughen and Wayne Cameron, took the initiative to organise a 22 hour telethon in 1993 and raise much needed funds for Starship.
On the weekend of 12 & 13 June 1993, the Starship Telethon brought the country together in support of Starship Children’s Hospital. The nationwide event focused on two main venues, the Aotea Centre in Auckland and Shed 6 on Wellington’s waterfront, but roving crews were also stationed in other major cities and towns such as Christchurch, Dunedin and Hamilton, ensuring a truly widespread impact.
Hosting the Starship Telethon were a number of personalities from TV3, including John Hawkesby in Auckland, Bill Ralston and Janet Wilson in Wellington, Eric Young in Christchurch, Neil Waka in Dunedin and Suzy Cato in Hamilton. The event also boasted appearances from various radio and television personalities as well as special guests from the worlds of music, sport and theatre, ensuring a star-studded and entertaining telecast.
The Starship Telethon, which ran from 8pm Saturday until 6pm Sunday, was packed with a variety of events guaranteed to engage viewers all over the country. A comedy festival featured the likes of Facial DBX, the Corbett brothers, Ian Harcourt and Michele A’Court. Viewers also enjoyed a karaoke show; a Kiwi music special celebrating New Zealand’s best known bands, introduced by Karyn Hay; a ‘Children’s Extravaganza’ breakfast show; and a country music special headlining Australian country singer James Blundell, Brendan Dugan, Bunny Walters, Patsy Riggir and members of Hello Sailor.
In addition to these unforgettable performances, the Starship Telethon featured a celebrity auction with a variety of exciting items up for bidding. These included a signed Billy Ray Cyrus t-shirt, David Campese’s training jersey, a Beatles album signed by Paul McCartney and a rugby ball signed by the All Blacks. The auction was hosted by Dave Jamieson, Danny Watson and the Top Marks.
The Starship Telethon was a resounding success, raising just over $3.5 million for Starship. These funds played a critical role in supporting the hospital’s operations and its mission to provide the best possible care for New Zealand’s children.
The 1993 Starship Telethon was a remarkable example of unity and generosity, showcasing the nation’s commitment to supporting the health and wellbeing of its youngest Kiwis. Together, New Zealanders rallied behind Starship and the vital services it offered, leaving a lasting impact that continues to resonate today.
Community Cares Telethon (CTV)
In the annals of New Zealand’s television history, the Canterbury Cares Telethon stands out as a groundbreaking event that brought the region together in an unprecedented show of unity and generosity. Organised by Canterbury Television (CTV) and sponsored by Trust Bank, this 24 hour charity drive took place on the weekend of 8 & 9 May 1993.
Hosted by a stellar line-up of Canterbury personalities (Jim Hopkins, Susi Allison, James Daniels, Linda Dodge and Ali Jones), the Canterbury Cares Telethon was more than just a fundraiser; it was a celebratory party, broadcast live from Christchurch. This event marked New Zealand’s first regional telethon and it aimed to raise funds for five key regional beneficiaries: the Catholic Social Services, the Anglican Social Services, the Methodist City Mission, the Presbyterian Support Services and the Salvation Army.
The event was not only significant for its charitable cause but also for its star-studded guest list. The Canterbury Cares Telethon featured a handful of international stars, including British actors Robin Askwith and Richard O’Sullivan as well as Irish Rovers Will Millar and Jimmy Ferguson, providing a delightful international touch to the event.
A plethora of New Zealand celebrities also made appearances, including George Balani, Jason Gunn, Catherine McPherson, Steve Parr, Belinda Todd, Gary McCormick and Hilary Timmins. Their participation added a local flavour to the event, engaging the regional audience and driving the fundraising mission.
Despite my confusion at the time of writing, the Canterbury Cares Telethon raised well over $700,000 for the five beneficiaries. This impressive sum is a testament to the generosity of the Canterbury region and the power of community spirit.
While CTV usually broadcast exclusively to the Canterbury region on UHF, the Canterbury Cares Telethon was beamed to the North Island through Action TV (now Trackside), which was owned and operated by the TAB at the time. This extended coverage ensured viewers of Action TV in Auckland, Waikato, Tauranga, Rotorua, Wellington and Blenheim could also take part in this extraordinary event, as reported by the Christchurch Star.
The Canterbury Cares Telethon of 1993 was not just a televised charity drive; it was a symbol of unity, a demonstration of community spirit and a celebration of the region’s generosity and compassion. Like the Starship Telethon, it remains an inspiring moment in New Zealand’s television history and sets a precedent for future charitable events and community initiatives.
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