Australian television queen Ada Nicodemou paused during the flash and glamour of Saturday night’s kickoff of WA’s 55th annual Telethon to consider the truth hidden beneath the hype.
Nicodemou had the chance to spend the morning with the Little Telethon Stars of 2022, Ari, Emily, and Leo, and experienced the positive vibes that come with WA’s fundraising machine. But it also served as a reminder of the period in 2014 when her second son Harrison was stillborn eight months into her pregnancy and she was in need of the services the donations support.
The Home and Away actress claimed that because she constantly thought back on that trying time, participating in the Telethon felt even more meaningful.
Nicodemou stated, “I’ve sat in those hospital beds and it’s a dreadful thing for any parent to go through.”
“That’s why we strive to raise money whenever we can. These weekends are clearly incredibly essential, as you realize even before being a parent, but after becoming a parent, you feel it even more.
“You realize how crucial those services are when we actually need them. In WA, there is a particularly strong sense of community, and everyone is incredibly enthusiastic about Telethon.
“I’ve always loved kids, so why wouldn’t you want to help them and their families when you can?”
Nicodemou, a supporter of numerous child health programs and the mother of 10-year-old Johnas, said meeting this year’s Little Telethon Stars on Saturday morning had been an absolute joy.
She gushed, “They were really stunning. They were very thrilled and full of enthusiasm. “The way the youngsters handle everything so nicely is a terrific lesson for us all.”
On Saturday morning, Nicodemou also paid a visit to the Perth Children’s Hospital, noting that it was usually her favorite part of the Telethon weekend. She recalled that a fan thanked her and fellow Home and Away favorite Lynne McGranger for volunteering their time to the Telethon on Friday night and shared the news that her daughter had beat stage-four cancer.
The three little stars presented themselves to WA on Saturday night as Telethon’s Channel 7 program began.
Congenital muscular dystrophy was discovered in Ari when he was 22 months old, but he insisted that it had not slowed him down. He claimed, “I’ve never walked, so I’m very, very quick in my wheelchair.”
When Emily, who was born deaf on both sides, was three years old, she was given the diagnosis of lymphoblastic leukemia. Emily said that among the treatments her physicians employed to help her recover were blood tests and chemotherapy. She claimed, “I’m here due of the specialized medical experts and researchers who have assisted me.
Leo, the sole child in Australia with Tutin muscular dystrophy and a rare genetic disorder called 22Q duplication syndrome, said, “My muscles don’t work that well, but nothing stops me.”
Australia’s Got Talent and Australian Idol host Ricki-Lee, Killing Heidi singer Ella Hooper, The Voice 2022 champion Lachie Gill, and Human Nature’s Phil Burton will all perform as the show’s opening performers tonight.
Premier Mark McGowan applauded Telethon’s creative decision to bring the event to the city on Sunday, with the main show taking place inside the RAC Arena and the Telethon Family Festival taking place outside in the surrounding areas. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the reinvented event will overflow onto Wellington Street, which will be closed to traffic.
It will foster a festival atmosphere in the city because it’s close to the railway station and public transportation is now free, according to Mr. McGowan. This will be good because sometimes a change is just as good as a vacation.
It looks like Sunday will be a day full of fun and frolic.
The morning show team will take over the Channel 7 broadcast with a crucial check-in on the tally board and a fresh set of panelists after The West Live’s Ben O’Shea and Famous Sharon host an overnight sleep party full of fun, comedy, and local acts.
The Rybka Twins, Courtney Monsma from Frozen the Musical, Matt Evans, Hannah Balanay, and a host of other performers will all be performing live throughout the entire day. Before the kids take over the Telethon show from 4 to 5 p.m., the entertainment package will also include celebrity lip-syncing and the How Ridiculous team competing in a “in it to win it” battle.
Before returning to Telethon for the thrilling finale starring the Hoodoo Gurus and Casey Barnes, there will be a break for the nightly news at 6 o’clock. The final results will subsequently be made known.
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