Telethon Australia, record heart: over 101 million dollars for children!
The official result came: 101.277.705 Australian dollars collected for children and families from Western Australia. After 26 hours of direct work continues in the supported projects.
Olivia is seven years old, and since she's been asked for autographs at school, she feels a little like Taylor Swift. Aiden, nine, memorized the number to call to donate. Paige, eight, lived his weekend as a protagonist. In Perth, Australia, Telethon's little stars 2026 have names, desires and a great desire to have fun. And that's where the story begins.
On 17 and 18 October 2026 the RAC Arena hosted a television marathon of 26 hours dedicated to children from Western Australia living with illness, disabilities and social difficulties. On stage there are singers, TV faces and sports champions. At the center, however, there are families for whom therapy, service close to home or school support can make a huge difference.
Olivia, Aiden and Paige: the stars also have a backpack
The three children are the ambassadors of the 2026 edition, the Little Telethon Stars. In September Olivia and Aiden participated in the inauguration of a mural at the Northport terminal in Rottnest Express, Fremantle, along with the Fat Cat and Rex mascots. Paige, indisposed that day, was represented by fellow adventurers.
In addition to the mural are the footprints of their hands: a way to leave a sign of the participation of children. Olivia said she was stopped for an autograph by compañeros and teachers. Aiden had already prepared for the collection by learning the telephone number of donations. Small details that make people known behind the word "beneficiary" .
Jessica Mauboy and the other rumors that come into play
The announced program brought together many names: Jessica Mauboy, Morgan Evans, Kate Miller-Heidke, Rogue Traders. And again The Ten Ten Tenors, Mark Vincent and The 60 Four. The list of artists crosses pop, country and other voices of the Australian show: a wide audience, called to follow the same collection.
For Kate Miller-Heidke, singer-songwriter and coach of The Voice Australia, it is the debut in Telethon, as announced by the RAC Arena. Family presences come back to the public, including Emma Memma. Faces of Home and Away, Sunrise and other Channel 7 programs also participate, along with protagonists of Australian sport. Famousness is a megaphone: it brings public attention to projects that work all year round.
Where's the help coming from? Three examples to know
In 2026 Telethon supports 147 beneficiaries. The official list allows you to go beyond the slogan and look at what they do: there are those who follow the school path of children with an oncology diagnosis, those who bring music to the communities, those who intervene on the diet.
Back on Track WA offers personalized educational support to children with cancer through tutoring and collaboration with online education services. The program of the Australian Children's Music Foundation brings lessons and instruments to children and children at risk also in regional and remote areas. Backpack Buddies distributes through schools packages of healthy food intended for children in the Peel region outside school hours.
They are different interventions because there are different needs. And they explain well why a collection dedicated to childhood should also look at lost lessons, distances and daily life, as well as care.
The good comes out of the arena and arrives in the street
On Sunday 18 October, the City of Perth announced on Wellington Street a free Family Festival, from 10 to 16 locals. The appointment was distinct from the shows in the arena.
The Family Festival is a precise part of the program, with a separate access from paid shows in the arena. For those on site, the program indicated Wellington Street between Elder Street and William Street; the municipality provided road closures in the area. The times indicated are those of Perth: Sunday 18 October the city is six hours ahead of Italy.
A song ends. The cure must continue
Telethon has gathered the community of Western Australia since 1968. Continuity is an important piece of the news: around the TV weekend there is a network of organizations, projects and people that transform the collection into concrete activities. The 2026 report describes interventions on neonatal transport, mental health support, disability and services that reach families even outside the hospital.
The official total of the 2026 edition is 101.277.705 Australian dollars. Seven West Media announced this on October 19. The finish line closes a year of collection, culminating in the 26 hours of direct weekend: now those resources will support research, equipment and services for children and families. To learn about projects and methods of donation, the reference remains the Telethon Australia website.
The most beautiful news, then, is also in that schoolyard detail: Olivia signing autographs and feeling a popstar. For a weekend, the city applauds you. The work of organizations supported by Telethon serves to be close to you even when the spotlights are out.
