Telethon kicks off with Ronan Keating headlining opening show and Deputy PM lauding beloved event at gala ball

This year’s Telethon kicked off in spectacular style last night, with multimillion-dollar donations putting the effort to break last year’s record off to a perfect start.

The CBD came alive as thousands lined up to enter the RAC Arena for the opening show of the flagship 26-hour entertainment marathon, broadcast live on Channel 7 in WA and nationally on 7flix and 7plus.

Meanwhile, Perth’s dignitaries shined at the Crown for the black-tie Telethon Gala Ball, where Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stepped in to replace Anthony Albanese overseas, as he announced the Federal Government would donate $6 million to Telethon this year.

Rio Tinto also donated $5.5 million, while other big donors last night included gold miner Northern Star and grocery giant Woolworths.

Mr. Marles, who was accompanied by his wife, Rachel Schutze, to his first Telethon, said the couple knew all too well the pain of parents seeing a child sick, which gave them a deep appreciation for the world’s biggest fundraiser.

“There is nothing scarier, more tiring than this for parents of very sick children who need acute care,” he said at the event, which was held with the participation of the whole house.

“This is undoubtedly the darkest period of their lives.

“The treatment, care and assistance that children’s hospitals currently provide is completely transformational, literally a blessing.

“So, for the thousands of children and parents whose lives have been saved and changed for the better thanks to your generosity, I know there is a heartfelt sense of gratitude for all you have done.

“This Telethon is really important.”

Mr Marles opened his remarks with a cheeky swipe at the West because the State “stole” Ben Cousins ​​from his home in Geelong.

He also reiterated the importance of WA and its capital, explaining that Mr Albanese had made it clear that his participation in the Telethon was “absolutely non-negotiable”.

“It is clear to me that what is good for Perth is good for the nation and there is no better example of this than Telethon,” Mr Marles said.

Prime Minister Roger Cook also attended the ball and spoke about his nostalgia for Telethon and his childhood love of the Fat Cat.

“Whether you were glued to the television as a child, called the Telethon phone room, or had your parents do it for you as an annual ritual, Telethon has touched our lives,” Mr. Cook said.

“In my house, it was a big deal. We’d watch, we’d cheer, and we’d donate what we could.”

The son of a mother who was an early childhood educator and a father who was a doctor and child psychologist, Mr. Cook said he, too, had seen the pain of childhood illnesses but also the difference donations could make.

“Telethon has transformed child health in Western Australia,” the Prime Minister said.

“It helps WA children live longer, healthier and happier lives. Countless lives have been changed.

“And a medical research community that punches well above its weight.

“But we’re not done yet. Every dollar raised this weekend helps push the boundaries of what’s possible even further.”

Now in its 58th year, the Telethon has turned into a full weekend of festivities.

The 24-hour fundraising extravaganza at the RAC Arena kicked off with The Voice Australia coach Ronan Keating headlining, joined by Australian Idol alumni Shannon Noll, Rob Mills, Dami Im and Casey Donovan.

Star-struck by the artists, Little Telethon Stars melted the hearts of top guests like Izzy Miller, Jordan Blair, Xavier Summers and Paige McIllree.

5-year-old Izzy is battling a neuroblastoma, nine-year-old Jordan has a rare genetic condition known as DDCH syndrome, and Xavier and Paige are living with cerebral palsy.

Among the crowd in the arena was a three-generation family reminiscing about their first Telethon: Nanna Jan, mother Lisa and daughter Ayla.

Nanna said she watched it on TV from the very beginning and her first memory was the Telethon Money Brick Wall.

When asked what she loved most about the event, the grandmother replied: “The way we support each other as a community.”

“Because it doesn’t matter if you have just a nickel or millions of dollars, every little bit helps.”

Lisa said her first memory of the incident was Fat Cat, just like her daughter.

“There’s one at home with no eyes or nose. It’s about 40 years old,” Lisa said.

Anita Dean, 64, brought her granddaughter Alicia to her first Telethon. The nine-year-old boy said he was very excited to see the celebrities.

“I love the atmosphere, the environment and what they do,” Ms. Dean said.

He said he had been watching the Telethon on television for 37 years since moving to Australia, but this was the first time he had seen it in person.

“I want to see Manu… I love your accent!”

Dannielle Williams, 37, said she brought her children “because I came when I was a kid.”

“I used to come here too because my cousin spent a lot of time at Children’s Hospital,” Ms. Williams said.

Sam Griffiths said he had been watching the Telethon since moving to Perth from Canberra in 2015 and what he loved most about it was “the community coming together and donating to a good cause”.

Goodwill will take over the Perth CBD with the return of the popular Telethon Family Festival on Sunday, transforming the stretch of Wellington Street from Perth Arena to Yagan Square into a vibrant, freewheeling celebration of community from 10am.

The Telethon began in 1968 and has continued to break records, becoming the nation’s most successful charity event.

The $1 million mark was broken in 1980, rising to $2.5 million in 2000 and $83.3 million last year, bringing the total raised at this point to a staggering $688 million.