The stars began to align for Telethon on Friday afternoon, with the likes of Guy Sebastian, Samantha Jade, Nat Barr, and Matt Shirvington arriving at Perth Airport primed for a massive weekend of fundraising.
While many wiped the sleep from their eyes following cross-country flights, there was no shortage of enthusiasm as the countdown to the 26-hour broadcast ticked ever closer.
The Chase host Larry Emdur touched down from Brisbane just after midday, hoping to get a leg up on his Channel 7 co-stars, and a little extra shut-eye.
“That’s what the young guys need to know: sleep before you hit out,” Emdur joked.
For the returning star, it was a “combo” of activities that drew him back West.
“It’s great to see the kids, and that really motivates us,” he said.
Arriving from Sydney, Sunrise duo Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington beamed in anticipation of another whirlwind experience in Perth.
“Looking forward to a lot fun, a few games, can’t wait to get in and amongst it,” Shirvo said.
“The thing I Iove the most is meeting kids that have been saving their pocket money and forgoing presents, its kids helping kids.”
For Barr — a bona fide Telethon veteran — her job doesn’t just begin on Saturday, taking the opportunity to educate flight staff on the magic of the weekend and why she’s “proud to be here”.
“We’re still getting the word out!” she exclaimed.
“It just gives you a lump in your throat to know that for all these years, Perth does it bigger and better than anywhere in this country.”
First-timer and former AFL star Shane Crawford was eager to get involved, excited to “raise a lot of money” alongside his East Coast crew.
But for Sydney-based West Aussie Samantha Jade, flights west aren’t too painful when the destination a familiar one.
“It’s always great because I know I’m coming home,” she beamed.
A repeat performer at the event, her connection with Telethon was formed as a child.
“Telethon is something I grew up watching. It was the one time of year I was allowed to stay up during the night,” she said.
Promising to belt out hits from her latest album Love.Sick Vol.2, the 37-year-old admitted there’s something different about performing in Perth.
“It’s the best feeling every single time because it’s just different performing in your hometown,” she said.
Fellow crowd-pleaser and The Voice coach Guy Sebastian came fully loaded with sound and stage gear, ready to “sing a few songs” for the kids.
“There’s not that many industry things where everyone comes together and they’re all just on the same page,” he said.
“Perth leads the way, it always has. It’s always a pretty amazing thing that’s in the diary, Telethon. I’ve haven’t come for a few years so it’s nice to be back.”
A host of past and present Better Homes and Gardens stars made the trip, including Dr Harry Cooper, Charlie Albone, Rob Palmer, and Johanna Griggs who has been a target among colleagues for not having returned more recently.
“Everyone who has come over has just given me so much grief about it, so I’m excited,” Griggs said.
Palmer hoped to convince his TV gardener mate Albone — who was accompanied by his wife and co-star Juliet Love — not to hold back.
“Whatever we do, it’s going to be with reckless abandon,” Palmer said.
With a jam-packed itinerary, there certainly won’t be too much time off for green thumb Albone.
“I’m lip-syncing, I’m playing wheelchair basketball, I’m building a cubby house. I’m going all in,” the gardener said.
While former Kalamunda boy and proud “sandgroper” Jamie Durie was keen to reacquaint himself with the West Coast — as well as old colleagues — in the hopes of “bringing dollars in for a really worthy cause”.
#Telethon #Big #names #stage #screen #arrive #Perth #Airport #ahead #big #weekend #kids
