Marny Kennedy from "Mortified" ,
"The Saddle Club" and Snake Tales guest stars
in the final episode of Rush as a member of a
violent street gang .

Note : Rush is not a childrens series,
parental guidance definitely recommended .

More Saddle Club
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ella-Rose_Shenman/

Marny has also been in Snake Tales
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cecelia-Peters/

More of Marny at :
http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Marny_Kennedy/

More Rush
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Nicole_Da_Silva/

Terry

International accolades for TV news show for children

A BAFTA-winning studio in Knutsford beat off stiff
competition from the BBC to scoop two international
television prizes at the Japan Awards, in Tokyo.

TT Animation, part of Travellers Tales studios, in
London Road, was awarded the Best Pre-school Show and
Grand Prix prize for its groundbreaking children's
programme, What's Your News?

The last pre-school show to win the overall Grand Prix
prize at the awards was the Teletubbies more than 12
years ago.

The award was accepted `on behalf of the children' by
the studios creative director Chris Dicker.

"Tokyo was amazing," he said.

"We were up against some very stiff competition,
including the BBC, so we were shocked and delighted to
win the big prize."

Chris has watched the kids news show go from strength
to strength over the last six months, with American,
Canadian and Australian versions to be aired soon, and
further plans to broadcast across the globe.

Whats Your News? is based around the animated anchors,
Grant the Ant and Anthony the Anteater, who believes he's
also an ant, who are determined to get the big scoops of
kids news from across the country.

The show's underlying concept is to place the word news
firmly in the vocabulary of four-year-olds, and give them
a show they can relate to.

"Adult news can be so negative, and we wanted to give
children a positive news show that gives them a legitimate
voice," said Chris.

Thursday 12th November 2009
<http://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/4732779.International_accolades_for_TV_\
news_show_for_children/>

Kids' pay TV station set to launch

A NEW family friendly children's pay TV channel with no advertisements is set to
give the ABC's new kids' offering
a run for its money.

Called KidsCo, the pay TV station, aimed at six- to
10-year-olds, will be launched in Australia on
November 15, the 60th country around the world to get
the channel.

It features mostly cartoons, as well as live action and
movies, with series such as Adventures of Paddington Bear,
Rolie Polie Olie, Sonic Underground, and new original
programming such as Boo & Me and Jass Time.

And it will join the public broadcaster in having no ads.

The ABC's new children's channel will go live on December 4.

KidsCo managing director Paul Robinson said the company's
research had shown that Australian parents were worried about
how much advertising was on television.

"There is evidence that children's behaviour is a function
of TV they watch," he said.

"Advertising itself has a lot of issues, clearly in
Australia there is the issue of obesity amongst children.

"And secondly the whole issue of pester power."

Money is gained purely from subscription, but the channel
won't cost subscribers more.

It'll also compete against other children's channels,
including Nickelodeon, Disney and the Cartoon Network, but Mr Robinson said he
believed the new station would do well.

"For a developed market the size of Australia you've got
relatively few channels," he said.

"We see there's a gap for children aged six to 10 with
family safe programming.

"On KidsCo you'll never see something which a parent thinks is inappropriate.

"You're not going to see violence, you're not to see fighting, you're not going
to see blood or bad behaviour."

Unlike the ABC, when it launches it will have no Australian programs, aside from
Australian voice-overs and clips of
Australian children, but from April it will have local shows
thanks to agreements with Australian production companies.

Mr Robinson said he wasn't concerned with competing with ABC3 because he
believes they have different roles.

He believes the public broadcaster should concentrate more on
local programming.

"There is an accountability there which is to Australian programming," he said.

"I'm quite surprised they're only putting half of the
schedule as Australian and the other half as acquired.

"If you compare to the BBC in the UK, most of their content
is actually British."

Programming boss Eileen McCarthy, an Aussie based in the UK,
said she was also on the search for more local content, with
  the opportunity to be broadcast all over the world.

"If I can't find some good Australian content to put on air,
nobody can," she said.

November 10, 2009

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,26331815-1702,00.html

First look at Season 3 of H2o Just Add Water

at

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/H2o_Just-Add-Water/

More at :

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Phoebe_Tonkin/

and

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Indiana_Evans/
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Cariba_Heine/

Phoebe and Indiana also featured at TV Star

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/TV_Star/

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Six young Australians, aged 18-24, and some new characters,
will front the new ABC3, including 22-year-old James Rees.
He will be known as the character Jimmy Giggle and will
host the afternoon and early evening blocks with Hoot the
owl, as 'Giggle and Hoot'.

The Wiggles will also host an hour of programming each day
on ABC for Kids on 2.

With Australian digital TV penetration still approximately
55 per cent, the new offering is expected to be another
driver of digital take-up as the analog switch-off commences
in the first half of 2010 in Mildura and concludes in 2013.

The new channel is not subject to local content quotas though,
as the commercial channels are. Dalton has previously said
ABC3 aims to have at least 50 per cent Australian programs by
2013, subject to budgets.

Michael Bodey | October 22, 2009

<http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,26246165-7582,00.ht\
ml>

>
> Studio 3 is the hub for everything that happens on
> ABC3 – it's the place where it all comes together.
> Hosted by Amberley Lobo and Kayne Tremills, it is
> an entertaining mix of fun, games, competitions,
> guests and more. Joining them is roving reporter
> Ben Crawley, taking ABC3 to the streets.
>
> We sat down for a chat  with Amberley, Kayne and Ben
> to find out why they were chosen for ABC3.
>
> AMBERLEY LOBO
>
> POSITION: Upright
>
> BORN: 30 October, 1990
>
> HOMETOWN: Perth, Southside
>
> ACTIVITIES: I like to play street soccer, front
> yard cricket, Sharapova tennis, water bomb fights
> and 44-home. I also like to rap and rip up the
> streets with my epic dance moves.
>
> INTERESTS: One of my biggest interests would have
> to be learning; I love having a go at new things.
> I want to see as much as I can and experience as
> much as I can.
>
> FAVOURITE TV SHOWS: Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Psych,
> Hustle, Flight of the Conchords and The Bill.
>
> STRANGEST HABIT: I like to wear shorts all year
> round.
>
> MOST OBSCURE FACT ABOUT ME: Straight out of school
> I was fighting crime in the police force as a police
> cadet.
>
> FAVOURITE QUOTE: "I'd rather be hated for who I am,
> than loved for who I am not." And "conquer your shyness,
> embrace your flyness" – both by Kanye West.
>
> MOST INSPIRATIONAL: Glen McGrath
>
> WHY ME FOR ABC3? : It's my dream job. I love
> entertaining people and having fun which is what ABC3
> is all about.
>
> IF I WASN'T DOING THIS I'D BE: Keeping it real at uni.
>
>
> KAYNE TREMILLS
>
> POSITION: ABC3 host
>
> BORN: 23 January, 1987
>
> HOMETOWN: Melbourne
>
> ACTIVITIES: Run workshops for
> a exploring life
>
> INTERESTS: Running, surfing, skating, drumming, music,
> TV, learning things, taking risks.
>
> FAVOURITE  TV SHOWS: Anything with superheros in it
> and Getaway.
>
> STRANGEST HABIT: Talking to myself whilst lying in bed.
>
> MOST OBSCURE FACT ABOUT ME: I keep a baby photo of myself
> in my room to remind me not to grow up too much.
>
> FAVOURITE QUOTE: "When ya livin' to love, you're lovin'
> to live". Donovan Frankenreiter
>
> MOST INSPIRATIONAL: Jim Stynes, my Grandpa and my mates.
>
> WHY ME FOR ABC3? : Because I'm a ball of electric energy
> and I don't take much seriously.
>
> IF I WASN'T DOING THIS I'D BE: Chillin' out with the
> kids of Oz…dreaming big!
>
>
>
> BEN CRAWLEY
>
> POSITION: ABC3 Roving Reporter
>
> BORN: 13 November, 1987
>
> HOMETOWN: Adelaide
>
> ACTIVITIES: Footy, acoustic guitar, going to the beach,
> working, uni, laughing, running, body boarding,
> doing silly stuff.
>
> INTERESTS: Travelling, music, documentaries, politics,
> history, unusual facts, news, animals, sport, cooking.
>
> FAVOURITE TV SHOWS: Entourage, ABC News, 60 Minutes,
> Louis Theroux, Prison Break, Getaway, Amazing Race.
>
> STRANGEST HABIT: I eat a Mi Goreng noodle pack every day.
>
> MOST OBSCURE FACT ABOUT ME: I can't sit still for more
> than five minutes. Sometimes I can push for six but
> it's rare.
>
> FAVOURITE QUOTE: "You only live once and if you work on
> it right, once is enough." Joe E. Louis
>
> MOST INSPIRATIONAL: I meet people every day that have an inspirational effect
on me in some unique way.
>
> WHY ME FOR ABC3? : Because I want to have fun and get
> paid for it!!
>
> IF I WASN'T DOING THIS I'D BE: Studying marketing and
> politics at uni.
>
>
>
> Also on ABC 3 Scott Tweedie  from Brisbane,
> host of Prank Patrol ,Stephanie Hex Bendixsen from
> Good Game SP and Hannah Wang from Rush TV.
>
> More about the stars of ABC 3 at :
>
> Dance Academy
>
> http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Jordan_Rodrigues/
> http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hannah_Wang/
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Aussie_TV_Men/
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Aussie_TV_Women/
> http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Aus_Childrens_TV/
>
> <http://blogs.abc.net.au/countdownto3/2009/10/meet-the-hosts-of-studio-3.html>
>
>
<http://blogs.abc.net.au/countdownto3/2009/10/meet-stephanie-hex-bendixsen-from-\
good-game-sp.html>
>
>
<http://blogs.abc.net.au/countdownto3/2009/10/meet-scott-tweedie-from-prank-patr\
ol.html>
>

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Studio 3 is the hub for everything that happens on
ABC3 – it's the place where it all comes together.
Hosted by Amberley Lobo and Kayne Tremills, it is
an entertaining mix of fun, games, competitions,
guests and more. Joining them is roving reporter
Ben Crawley, taking ABC3 to the streets.

We sat down for a chat  with Amberley, Kayne and Ben
to find out why they were chosen for ABC3.

AMBERLEY LOBO

POSITION: Upright

BORN: 30 October, 1990

HOMETOWN: Perth, Southside

ACTIVITIES: I like to play street soccer, front
yard cricket, Sharapova tennis, water bomb fights
and 44-home. I also like to rap and rip up the
streets with my epic dance moves.

INTERESTS: One of my biggest interests would have
to be learning; I love having a go at new things.
I want to see as much as I can and experience as
much as I can.

FAVOURITE TV SHOWS: Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Psych,
Hustle, Flight of the Conchords and The Bill.

STRANGEST HABIT: I like to wear shorts all year
round.

MOST OBSCURE FACT ABOUT ME: Straight out of school
I was fighting crime in the police force as a police
cadet.

FAVOURITE QUOTE: "I'd rather be hated for who I am,
than loved for who I am not." And "conquer your shyness,
embrace your flyness" – both by Kanye West.

MOST INSPIRATIONAL: Glen McGrath

WHY ME FOR ABC3? : It's my dream job. I love
entertaining people and having fun which is what ABC3
is all about.

IF I WASN'T DOING THIS I'D BE: Keeping it real at uni.


KAYNE TREMILLS

POSITION: ABC3 host

BORN: 23 January, 1987

HOMETOWN: Melbourne

ACTIVITIES: Run workshops for
a exploring life

INTERESTS: Running, surfing, skating, drumming, music,
TV, learning things, taking risks.

FAVOURITE  TV SHOWS: Anything with superheros in it
and Getaway.

STRANGEST HABIT: Talking to myself whilst lying in bed.

MOST OBSCURE FACT ABOUT ME: I keep a baby photo of myself
in my room to remind me not to grow up too much.

FAVOURITE QUOTE: "When ya livin' to love, you're lovin'
to live". Donovan Frankenreiter

MOST INSPIRATIONAL: Jim Stynes, my Grandpa and my mates.

WHY ME FOR ABC3? : Because I'm a ball of electric energy
and I don't take much seriously.

IF I WASN'T DOING THIS I'D BE: Chillin' out with the
kids of Oz…dreaming big!



BEN CRAWLEY

POSITION: ABC3 Roving Reporter

BORN: 13 November, 1987

HOMETOWN: Adelaide

ACTIVITIES: Footy, acoustic guitar, going to the beach,
working, uni, laughing, running, body boarding,
doing silly stuff.

INTERESTS: Travelling, music, documentaries, politics,
history, unusual facts, news, animals, sport, cooking.

FAVOURITE TV SHOWS: Entourage, ABC News, 60 Minutes,
Louis Theroux, Prison Break, Getaway, Amazing Race.

STRANGEST HABIT: I eat a Mi Goreng noodle pack every day.

MOST OBSCURE FACT ABOUT ME: I can't sit still for more
than five minutes. Sometimes I can push for six but
it's rare.

FAVOURITE QUOTE: "You only live once and if you work on
it right, once is enough." Joe E. Louis

MOST INSPIRATIONAL: I meet people every day that have an inspirational effect on
me in some unique way.

WHY ME FOR ABC3? : Because I want to have fun and get
paid for it!!

IF I WASN'T DOING THIS I'D BE: Studying marketing and
politics at uni.



Also on ABC 3 Scott Tweedie  from Brisbane,
host of Prank Patrol ,Stephanie Hex Bendixsen from
Good Game SP and Hannah Wang from Rush TV.

More about the stars of ABC 3 at :

Dance Academy

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Jordan_Rodrigues/
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hannah_Wang/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Aussie_TV_Men/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Aussie_TV_Women/
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Aus_Childrens_TV/

<http://blogs.abc.net.au/countdownto3/2009/10/meet-the-hosts-of-studio-3.html>

<http://blogs.abc.net.au/countdownto3/2009/10/meet-stephanie-hex-bendixsen-from-\
good-game-sp.html>

<http://blogs.abc.net.au/countdownto3/2009/10/meet-scott-tweedie-from-prank-patr\
ol.html>

Finally, the wait is over – meet the six new hosts
of ABC3, selected from over 5000 entries in ABC TV's
`Me on 3' .

From 6AM to 9PM every day of the week, these are the
people who will bring you the best of action, comedy,
gaming, drama, sports, wildlife and everything in between!

Get ready, because the countdown is almost over.

December 4th, ABC3 will be the new kid on the block.

6 hosts - including Hannah Wang and Scott Tweedie .

Shows include :

Prank Patrol,Studio 3, Good Game,Richard Hammond's Blast Off, Rollercoaster,
hosted by Elliot My Place and Connor Undercover


More at :

<http://blogs.abc.net.au/countdownto3/2009/10/the-me-on-3-hosts-revealed.html>

More about the stars of ABC 3 at :

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hannah_Wang/

and

Dance Academy

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Jordan_Rodrigues/

--- In Aus_Childrens_TV@yahoogroups.com, "Artzine N" <modelpower2006@...> wrote:
>
> The kids are alright
>
> FUNDING FUTURES: With Aussie public broadcaster the ABC set to launch a
children's digital channel at the end of the year, the Australian Children's
Television Fund is keen to ensure the schedule contains plenty of local content.
Martin Buxton reports.
>
> At a time when a question mark hangs over the future of children's television
production in many parts of the world, Australia's kids TV community is
distinctly optimistic. This is partly due to the confirmation that public
broadcaster the ABC has got the go-ahead to launch a kids-focused channel at the
end of the year. And equally welcome is news is that the channel in question,
ABC3, will deliver a high proportion of locally made programming.
>
> Plans for the channel looked likely to be at the very least pushed back when
Australia's 2007 election saw the incumbent Liberal Party, which supported the
proposal, ousted by the Labor Party. The Liberals had pledged A$82m (US$74m) to
fund the channel. They were persuaded to give their support partly because of a
campaign by non-profit, government-funded organisation the Australian Children's
Television Foundation (ACTF).
>
> Confirmation that ABC3 would still be going ahead came in May this year when
the ABC was awarded A$165m in its latest batch of triennial funding. The
pubcaster had asked for only A$120m.
>
> Bernadette O'Mahony, ACTF's head of development and production, says that
while kids content remains under threat on commercial networks, news of a
government-backed channel is "changing the landscape" of Australian children's
television.
>
> "For the commercial broadcasters it's business as usual," says O'Mahony. "They
continue to look for ways to meet their children's quotas as cheaply as
possible. But more and more they are concerned about the profitability of their
networks, and if they could get out of doing it, in the current environment, I'm
sure they would."
>
> However, she adds that with ABC3 in the wings, Australian producers are
finding that demand for a wide range of ambitious kids content, including drama,
reality, documentary, gameshows and animation, is growing.
>
> "The implementation of ABC3 has already started to change the Australian
children's television landscape, in that there's more content being
commissioned," explains O'Mahony. "ABC is commissioning more than it has done in
a long time, so there's a lot of new opportunities for producers to get their
children's shows programmed and to pitch different genres."
>
> With the children's TV community down under responding well to this shot in
the arm, the work of the ACTF will be as relevant as ever. Set up in 1982 with a
mission to develop and produce programming for children that is both educational
and culturally Australian, the ACTF is a similar organisation to the
wider-ranging Screen Australia. It not only produces content itself, it lobbies
the government on behalf of the kids industry and offers funding to Australian
indies.
>
> As well as the government, its funding comes from state and territory
governments across the country, with the remainder generated through sales of
content. However, O'Mahony says the baseline budget is A$3m a year.
>
> Projects the ACTF has been involved in have achieved no small degree of
international success, with shows such as Round the Twist, Mortified (above) and
Lockie Leonard (below) airing in more than 100 countries worldwide. The
organisation holds quarterly funding rounds, with deadlines in January, April,
July and October, when producers can approach it for project development funding
and distribution advances.
>
> "The amounts vary depending on the project," says O'Mahony. "Development
funding tends to be seed funding to get a bible and one or two scripts ready for
market; to get the broadcaster to offer a pre-sale and commission. The
distribution advances depend on the budget and our involvement. There are
projects in which we've been heavily involved and have become a coproducer. Then
there are projects that come to us fully developed and we've just helped finance
it, so we're an exec producer."
>
> The good news for non-Australian producers is that the ACTF is prepared to
back international coproductions with Australian producers. The only stipulation
is that the content has to be culturally relevant to Australian children.
>
> "We do have a cultural brief as well as a commercial one," says O'Mahony. "We
need to have the commercial one to keep operating. We only have a small amount
of money to spend each year, so having that cultural and local relevance in the
projects we support is really important to us."
>
> However, she explains that just because the shows need to reflect Australian
culture, it doesn't mean they can't contain some international appeal. "Round
the Twist, Lockie Leonard and Mortified are three programmes that have
distinctly Australian sensibilities and sense of humour, and have worked well
internationally," she adds.
>
>
> Martin Buxton 21 Oct 2009
>
> http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=124&article=52568
>

The kids are alright

FUNDING FUTURES: With Aussie public broadcaster the ABC set to launch a
children's digital channel at the end of the year, the Australian Children's
Television Fund is keen to ensure the schedule contains plenty of local content.
Martin Buxton reports.

At a time when a question mark hangs over the future of children's television
production in many parts of the world, Australia's kids TV community is
distinctly optimistic. This is partly due to the confirmation that public
broadcaster the ABC has got the go-ahead to launch a kids-focused channel at the
end of the year. And equally welcome is news is that the channel in question,
ABC3, will deliver a high proportion of locally made programming.

Plans for the channel looked likely to be at the very least pushed back when
Australia's 2007 election saw the incumbent Liberal Party, which supported the
proposal, ousted by the Labor Party. The Liberals had pledged A$82m (US$74m) to
fund the channel. They were persuaded to give their support partly because of a
campaign by non-profit, government-funded organisation the Australian Children's
Television Foundation (ACTF).

Confirmation that ABC3 would still be going ahead came in May this year when the
ABC was awarded A$165m in its latest batch of triennial funding. The pubcaster
had asked for only A$120m.

Bernadette O'Mahony, ACTF's head of development and production, says that while
kids content remains under threat on commercial networks, news of a
government-backed channel is "changing the landscape" of Australian children's
television.

"For the commercial broadcasters it's business as usual," says O'Mahony. "They
continue to look for ways to meet their children's quotas as cheaply as
possible. But more and more they are concerned about the profitability of their
networks, and if they could get out of doing it, in the current environment, I'm
sure they would."

However, she adds that with ABC3 in the wings, Australian producers are finding
that demand for a wide range of ambitious kids content, including drama,
reality, documentary, gameshows and animation, is growing.

"The implementation of ABC3 has already started to change the Australian
children's television landscape, in that there's more content being
commissioned," explains O'Mahony. "ABC is commissioning more than it has done in
a long time, so there's a lot of new opportunities for producers to get their
children's shows programmed and to pitch different genres."

With the children's TV community down under responding well to this shot in the
arm, the work of the ACTF will be as relevant as ever. Set up in 1982 with a
mission to develop and produce programming for children that is both educational
and culturally Australian, the ACTF is a similar organisation to the
wider-ranging Screen Australia. It not only produces content itself, it lobbies
the government on behalf of the kids industry and offers funding to Australian
indies.

As well as the government, its funding comes from state and territory
governments across the country, with the remainder generated through sales of
content. However, O'Mahony says the baseline budget is A$3m a year.

Projects the ACTF has been involved in have achieved no small degree of
international success, with shows such as Round the Twist, Mortified (above) and
Lockie Leonard (below) airing in more than 100 countries worldwide. The
organisation holds quarterly funding rounds, with deadlines in January, April,
July and October, when producers can approach it for project development funding
and distribution advances.

"The amounts vary depending on the project," says O'Mahony. "Development funding
tends to be seed funding to get a bible and one or two scripts ready for market;
to get the broadcaster to offer a pre-sale and commission. The distribution
advances depend on the budget and our involvement. There are projects in which
we've been heavily involved and have become a coproducer. Then there are
projects that come to us fully developed and we've just helped finance it, so
we're an exec producer."

The good news for non-Australian producers is that the ACTF is prepared to back
international coproductions with Australian producers. The only stipulation is
that the content has to be culturally relevant to Australian children.

"We do have a cultural brief as well as a commercial one," says O'Mahony. "We
need to have the commercial one to keep operating. We only have a small amount
of money to spend each year, so having that cultural and local relevance in the
projects we support is really important to us."

However, she explains that just because the shows need to reflect Australian
culture, it doesn't mean they can't contain some international appeal. "Round
the Twist, Lockie Leonard and Mortified are three programmes that have
distinctly Australian sensibilities and sense of humour, and have worked well
internationally," she adds.


Martin Buxton 21 Oct 2009

http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp?area=124&article=52568

ABC Managing Director Mark Scott is getting a little cheeky.

Yesterday before he headed off to the periodic grilling before Senate Estimates,
he Tweeted at 5.42 am:

What triggers the frisson of excitement in the pre-dawn light? Senate estimates
day! To Canberra!

And later in the day, just before he was "on", he Twittered again with a single
word "Showtime" and the link to the live broadcast. Now, there wouldn't be just
the hint of attitude in those Tweets, would there? And is this wise and politic
for a man in his position?

Whatever. The Senators deserved it.  I wasn't able to watch the live broadcast,
but the transcript is now available. It shows Scott being trammelled  in inane
debates and ancient history for almost a quarter of the time before  the good
Senators got on to what the ABC is doing now and plans to do. Scott gave details
of the new drama programs being commissioned and in development, and said that
the new digital children's channel, ABC 3, will begin broadcasting on 6 December
with some new children's drama to showcase, but not the Bananas in Pyjamas,
which will remain on ABC 1 for the moment at least.

The Bananas apparently provoked some schoolboyish sniggering at Senate
Estimates, with Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy getting in on the
act. The transcript reads:

Senator BIRMINGHAM—What production changes are coming to the way Bananas are
produced?

Mr Scott—You are probably referring to the new joint venture that we have for
the new animated Bananas
in Pyjamas production that we are doing.

Senator BIRMINGHAM—There is a lot of sniggering around here. It is a serious
topic.

Mr Scott—It is a very serious topic.

Senator Conroy—This is a national icon that we are talking about here.

Mr Scott—We are doing a new animated series of the Bananas. We will still be
showing the series we have been showing for years as well. But the advice of our
children's television division was that this was the best way to create new
content that will attract new and younger audiences. I understand some of that
is in 3-D,
which is a real growth area of production as well. We are doing that as a joint
venture.

Senator Conroy—I wonder what B1 looks like in 3-D.

Mr Scott—More realistic than ever, I suspect.
And later:

Senator BIRMINGHAM—I have visions of you, Mr Scott, there in Ultimo during the
filming of Playschool.

Mr Scott—You are all welcome. Let us know when you are in town.

Senator BIRMINGHAM—I do not know whether you are on the chair, or the bear or
what you may be

Senator Conroy—We have finally discovered your avatar—B1!

Mr Scott—Let us move on.

Indeed. They discussed the more serious issue of the fact that Bananas and
Pyjamas animation will be largely produced offshore. (A story broken by my
colleague Andrew Dodd on Crikey, by the way), and the percentage of Australian
content at the ABC, which as Scott acknowledged has been woeful.

We are working up from a low base, as I have said.A number of years ago now it
got down to as low as three original hours of new Australian drama on ABC
television. That figure was far too low, and I think it was recognised by
everybody. That is why we are grateful for this injection of drama funding. Now
we have over 100 hours of quality drama in development.

Scott dodged some questions about the possibility of gaining efficiences in
transmission through combining efforts with SBS – one of the big but hard to air
stories behind public broadcasting in this country.

Then they peppered him with questions about how often Rudd and Turnbull had
appeared on Insiders, the 7.30 Report and Lateline – all taken on notice. Family
First's Senator Fielding griped about not getting on the 7.30 Report with Kerry
O'Brien often enough.

At long last they got to the nub of the debate of the last week – Mark Scott's
AN Smith Lecture, and the return fire from News Limited.

Then it was over, and it was SBS Managing Director Shaun Brown's turn in the hot
seat. He told the committee Then that the budget funding was enough to increase
local content by 50 hours per annum.

Then Conroy came in for some stick over his statements , made before the 2007
election, that he opposed SBS taking advertising within programs.

Conroy said that had Labor been in governmentat the time it would not have
allowed SBS to introduce in program advertiaing, but now in Government, the
legal advice and the budgetary constraints meant they had reluctantly accepted
the practice.  Conroy said:

Am I excited by it? Absolutely not. But am I in a position that I can provide
$20 million,
$30 million or $40 million a year to make up for the lost advertising revenue?
The answer is, no. Within the
existing funding constraints the policy, as SBS board are enacting it, stands.
And so it was over. Little light was shed. The information the Senators
unearthed was mostly already in the public realm – not a little of it on Crikey.
Some of the questions taken on notice were little short of ridiculous. Pity the
poor ABC staffer who has to chase them all up.

Frisson? Showtime? I don't think so.

But of course, Scott takes it all very seriously. Doesn't he.

October 20, 2009 – 11:02 pm, by Margaret Simons

More at

<http://blogs.crikey.com.au/contentmakers/2009/10/20/mark-scott-gets-a-little-ch\
eeky/>

An adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's story,
where Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without
his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by
ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler.

Cast

Ryan Corr as  Claire's Friend #4
http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Ryan_Corr/

"Blue Water High" as Eric /  2006

"Blue Heelers" as Zac Bronski (1 episode, 2005)
     - Playing by the Book

"Scooter: Secret Agent" as Freddie (1 episode, 2005)
     - Operation: Double Oh

"Silversun" as Sheng Zammett (26 episodes, 2004)
     - Crossing the Line
     - Will Power
     - Brain Drain
     - Join the Club
     - Spare Parts
       (21 more)

"The Sleepover Club" as Matthew McDougal (19 episodes, 2003)

Max Records as  Max

Pepita Emmerichs as  Claire

"Blue Heelers" as Ally Shaw (1 episode, 2005)
     - Everything a Girl Could Want (2005)

Max Pfeifer as  Claire's Friend #1

"As the Bell Rings" as Rusty (27 episodes, 2007-2009)
"Blue Heelers" as Dominic Redmond (1 episode, 2005)
     - Slaying the Demons (2005)

Madeleine Greaves as  Claire's Friend #2

Romulus, My Father (2007) .as Alice
"Blue Heelers" as Hannah McLeod (1 episode, 2002)
     - Private Lives (2002)

Joshua Jay as Claire's Friend #3

"Neighbours" as Leo Hancock (1 episode, 2000)
"Worst Best Friends" as Max (1 episode, 2002)
     - The Excursion (2002)

Catherine Keener as  Mom

Steve Mouzakis as  Teacher

"Blue Heelers" as Theo Kallergis (5 episodes, 2004)
     - Out of Love (2004)
     - Pillow Talk (2004)
     - Bring It On (2004)
     - Don't Call Me Baby
     - Checkmate (2004)

Mark Ruffalo ...  The Boyfriend

James Gandolfini ...  Carol (voice)

Paul Dano ...  Alexander (voice)
Catherine O'Hara ...  Judith (voice)

Forest Whitaker ...  Ira (voice)

Michael Berry Jr. ...  The Bull (voice)
Chris Cooper ...  Douglas (voice)
Lauren Ambrose ...  KW (voice)

Where the Wild Things Are  was filmed at

Central City Studios, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

and a number of other locations around Victoria , including
Flinders, Gembrook,Little River,Mornington, Mt Arapiles, Newport,Port Melbourne,
Portland,Williamstown and Woodend

plus at Los Angeles Center Studios - 450 S. Bixel Street, Downtown, Los Angeles,
California, USA

USA  13 October 2009 (New York City, New York) (premiere)
Canada  16 October 2009

and in Australia/New Zealand   3 December 2009
New Zealand

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386117/releaseinfo

No harm done as Wendy

MADONNA, Fergie ... Wendy Harmer.


Which one's not like the other ones?

Well you would be forgiven for thinking the odd
one out is Wendy Harmer, but you would be incorrect.

Because, in fact, all of these women have one thing
in common.

They have all written a series of children's books.

And now, all of their publications have also been
turned into children's television with Harmer's books
Pearlie having a cartoon treatment on Channel 10.

"When I started writing them, it was about the same time
as Madonna wrote her kids' book and then Fergie wrote
Budgie the little Helicopter," she said.

"So when I wrote a children's book it was like - that
would be right - every lame, sad celebrity is writing a
kids' book, so no one ever took any notice of Pearlie.
In the mean time, she has sold half a million copies
around the world."

So what would make a successful comedian and radio
presenter turn to children's writing?

Harmer is a mother of two, and when it came time to
read her daughters fairytales she was disappointed
most of the fairies are found deep in the forest or
at the bottom of a garden. "Most kids in the world
live in apartments or houses in the inner city,"
Harmer said.

"I wanted them to experience going to the local park
and experience fairies there."

So Harmer set out to create the Australian fairytale
with Australian fairies and a definite Australian
flavour. That recipe is one that has struck a chord
with young readers around the world with copies of the
book being sold everywhere from Imbil to Israel and
everywhere in between.

"It is wild and now there is the fact that she is the
subject of a $10million animated feature," she said.

"It has been a great ride with Pearlie taking my hand
and flying me around the world."

But even with a successful collection of books under
her belt and the fact her stories have been converted
into a children's television series, the most exciting
thing will be the vision of a 2D version of Wendy
making a special appearance on the show.

"It gets more exciting. I make a cameo in my own TV show.
There is an episode where I turn up as the incredibly
bossy head of the dream fairies, my name is Astrid and
instead of carrying a blackberry, I carry a bugberry,"
she said.

Wendy's TV career will also continue when she appears
on Channel 10's Celebrity Masterchef, which she described
as "the most gruelling experience of her life".

"I might actually try and scale Kathmandu next year, it
might be easier," she said.

"You will see some amazing cooking. This is not going to
be a bunch of celebrities swanning around a kitchen.
From what I have seen and what I am experiencing, it is a
full-on war and there are some really very skilful cooks
in there."

Pearlie screens at 9.30am on Saturdays and 7.30am on
Sundays on Channel 10.

Wendy will be on Celebrity Masterchef on Wednesdays in
the coming weeks at 7.30pm.

"I wanted them to experience going to the local park and
experience fairies there."

10th October 2009

<http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2009/10/10/no-harm-done-as-wendy/>

--- In Aus_Childrens_TV@yahoogroups.com, "Artzine N" <modelpower2006@...> wrote:
>
> Pearlie's dual citizenship
>
>  IT comes to fairy stories, pink tutus and mushroom
> circles are, like, so last year. The fairies in
> Pearlie, Channel Ten's new animated series, wear
> jeans and snakeskin boots. There is an elf with
> dreadlocks, a fairy with a bugberry (get it?) and
> a goblin with a passion for show tunes. One fairy
> runs a beauty salon and another looks an awful lot
> like Wendy Harmer.
>
> ''Does it get any better than this?'' asks the
> comedian and author. ''I have been caricatured in
> my own cartoon. I'm like Matt Groening in The
> Simpsons.''
>
> Based on Harmer's successful children's book series,
> Pearlie is set in a city park populated by talking
> frogs, rats, butterflies and, of course, fairy
> caretakers. Humans, or ''persons'', appear only as
> disembodied shadows and voices. As park chief executive,
> it is Pearlie's job to keep the park running smoothly.
> The Harmer caricature is head of the dream fairies,
> a rather harassed fairy in a business suit.
>
> Working as the show's creative producer, Harmer wrote
> several episodes and made sure they remained true to
> the books, which arose out of her frustration with the
> stories she read her daughter, Maeve.
>
> ''Why have fairies become such self-obsessed, saccharine
> things? Like little Paris Hiltons with wings,'' she says. ''
> And they always live in forests, even though most kids
> live in cities. I wanted to make a city fairy with a bit
> of derring-do.''
>
> Pearlie may have been born in Australia but the television
> show is produced in conjunction with a Canadian network.
>
> ''For a moment I did think, 'Crikey, what are the kids
> going to think when they see Pearlie with a Canadian
> accent?''' Harmer says. ''But the character actors are
> so good that it doesn't matter. If it takes her to a
> wider audience, that's the price to pay.''
>
> Some Australian elements remain. There is Pearlie's
> friend Opal, a bootscootin' Aboriginal fairy with a
> magic lasso instead of a wand. The seasons follow the
> southern hemisphere, with stinking hot weather at
> Christmas time.
>
> ''I wrote in the contract that it was not allowed to
>  snow at Christmas,'' Harmer says. ''It always snowed
> at Christmas in the shows I watched as a kid and it used
> to drive me up the wall.''
>
> As Pearlie spreads her wings on the small screen, her
> creator is turning her hand to reality television, as a
> participant on Ten's Celebrity MasterChef. ''I can't
> give too much away but there's a bit of controversy
> surrounding my knife skills,'' she says.
>
> Going by the schoolyard popularity of MasterChef's
> first season, her stint in the kitchen is unlikely to
> damage Harmer's newfound status as queen of the kids.
> ''Adults used to come and ask me for an autograph,''
> she says. ''But now it's always mothers dragging their
> kids.''
>
> Pearlie screens on Saturdays at 9.30am
> and Sundays at 7.30am on Ten.
>
> Louise Schwartzkoff October 8, 2009
>
>
<http://www.watoday.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/pearlies-dual-citizenshi\
p/2009/10/07/1254701051248.html>
>

Pearlie's dual citizenship

  IT comes to fairy stories, pink tutus and mushroom
circles are, like, so last year. The fairies in
Pearlie, Channel Ten's new animated series, wear
jeans and snakeskin boots. There is an elf with
dreadlocks, a fairy with a bugberry (get it?) and
a goblin with a passion for show tunes. One fairy
runs a beauty salon and another looks an awful lot
like Wendy Harmer.

''Does it get any better than this?'' asks the
comedian and author. ''I have been caricatured in
my own cartoon. I'm like Matt Groening in The
Simpsons.''

Based on Harmer's successful children's book series,
Pearlie is set in a city park populated by talking
frogs, rats, butterflies and, of course, fairy
caretakers. Humans, or ''persons'', appear only as
disembodied shadows and voices. As park chief executive,
it is Pearlie's job to keep the park running smoothly.
The Harmer caricature is head of the dream fairies,
a rather harassed fairy in a business suit.

Working as the show's creative producer, Harmer wrote
several episodes and made sure they remained true to
the books, which arose out of her frustration with the
stories she read her daughter, Maeve.

''Why have fairies become such self-obsessed, saccharine
things? Like little Paris Hiltons with wings,'' she says. ''
And they always live in forests, even though most kids
live in cities. I wanted to make a city fairy with a bit
of derring-do.''

Pearlie may have been born in Australia but the television
show is produced in conjunction with a Canadian network.

''For a moment I did think, 'Crikey, what are the kids
going to think when they see Pearlie with a Canadian
accent?''' Harmer says. ''But the character actors are
so good that it doesn't matter. If it takes her to a
wider audience, that's the price to pay.''

Some Australian elements remain. There is Pearlie's
friend Opal, a bootscootin' Aboriginal fairy with a
magic lasso instead of a wand. The seasons follow the
southern hemisphere, with stinking hot weather at
Christmas time.

''I wrote in the contract that it was not allowed to
  snow at Christmas,'' Harmer says. ''It always snowed
at Christmas in the shows I watched as a kid and it used
to drive me up the wall.''

As Pearlie spreads her wings on the small screen, her
creator is turning her hand to reality television, as a
participant on Ten's Celebrity MasterChef. ''I can't
give too much away but there's a bit of controversy
surrounding my knife skills,'' she says.

Going by the schoolyard popularity of MasterChef's
first season, her stint in the kitchen is unlikely to
damage Harmer's newfound status as queen of the kids.
''Adults used to come and ask me for an autograph,''
she says. ''But now it's always mothers dragging their
kids.''

Pearlie screens on Saturdays at 9.30am
and Sundays at 7.30am on Ten.

Louise Schwartzkoff October 8, 2009

<http://www.watoday.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/pearlies-dual-citizenshi\
p/2009/10/07/1254701051248.html>

The Wiggles Go Bananas

EDMONTON - As any disgruntled mall Santa can attest,
the business of keeping kids happy can be cutthroat,
even for a friendly pirate on board with one of the
most successful children's entertainment groups in
the world whose cutlass couldn't even slice butter.

"I've caused a lot of children to cry for some reason,"
says Paul Paddick, who goes by his stage name Captain
Feathersword when he's performing with the Australian
ensemble The Wiggles. "It's not so much 'you're not
really Captain Feathersword' as 'you're a scary person.'
I think my voice by nature is very confronting close up.
It's OK at a distance on TV or onstage, but when I'm
very close to someone, I tend to send a lot of kids
off crying."

With his hearty, boisterous laugh, it's no wonder
some kids still envision a ruthless buccaneer. But
the jolly 42-year-old actor, who eschews traditional
weaponry in favour of his tickling feather sword in
order to promote non-violence, exudes a genuine warmth
and cheerfulness towards children that seems common to
the entire Wiggles franchise.

Wearing their trademark multicoloured skivvies, the four
men who comprise The Wiggles have combined musical talent
and showmanship, guided by their backgrounds in early
childhood education, to create an entertainment empire
since their formation in 1991.

Along with the secondary cast that includes such
colourful characters as Feathersword and Dorothy the
Dinosaur, The Wiggles name now adorns CDs, videos,
television shows, and theme park sections around the
world at places such as Six Flags. Aside from their
massive global media presence, these moppet maestros
almost constantly tour with their stage show and
happily meet with youngsters (typically special-needs
children) on a daily basis -- even though these
gatherings don't always turn into Kodak moments.

"A lot of children are very shy when they come to
the meet-and-greets; they don't realize quite how
big we are (in person), especially Murray (Cook,
the red Wiggle) -- he's like, six foot four. If I
happen to not be aware, I'll turn around and go
'hello! Blahblahblahblah!' and that's just it. That
sends them over the edge. Then you spend the whole
five minutes trying to get them to stop crying and
turn their face for a decent photo."

Their latest theatrical act, entitled The Wiggles
Go Bananas! after their most recent album, features
more animal-related numbers, including the hit
"Monkey Man," featuring Australian pop star Kylie
Minogue, as well as more acrobatics and a gymnastic
monkey mascot frolicking about. Of course, even with
all the new material, fans can still expect to hear
the classics. The Wiggles learned that lesson after
leaving out hits previously, and according to Paddick,
the backlash was palpable.

"(Our audiences) seem to love 'Fruit Salad Yummy Yummy.'
We tried to take that out a few years back and there
was an uproar. It was very instantaneous, actually.
On the tour, if it wasn't there and there was ever a
  chance for someone to vocalize what they would like,
everybody would say 'Fruit Salad! Fruit Salad!'"

"The joys are extraordinary. The looks on their faces
when you come out on stage; watching an entire show
where every child in the auditorium is singing and
dancing and jumping up and down on their dad and mom,"
Paddick says. "That outweighs any possible downside.
It's just an extraordinary thing every day -- to have
that joy coming from something you're doing."


Canadian tour dates include:


Edmonton, Oct. 11

Calgary, Oct. 13

Saskatoon, Oct. 14

Winnipeg, Oct. 15

Windsor, Oct. 21

Ottawa, Oct. 23

Toronto, Oct. 24



By John Kmech, Canwest News ServiceOctober 6,
 
2009http://www.canada.com/entertainment/music/Wiggles+Bananas/2075371/story.html

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the Aus_Childrens_TV
group.

   File        : /The Wiggles/wigglesredcar.jpg
   Uploaded by : modelpower2006 <modelpower2006@...>
   Description : 4 men in skivvies in a red car

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Aus_Childrens_TV/files/The%20Wiggles/wigglesredcar\
.jpg

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
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Regards,

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Media-Newswire.com) - Acting Premier Rob Hulls today
announced Children365, a new initiative in partnership
with the Alannah and Madeline Foundation which highlights
the importance of nurturing, cherishing and celebrating
children every day of the year and remembers children who
have been tragically lost.

Mr Hulls said the inaugural Children365 event would take
place on November 1 on the last day of Children's Week.

The Alannah and Madeline Foundation will then continue
the campaign throughout the year.

"Children365 celebrates children and reminds us of the
need to nurture, protect and love them.  It is also a
time to remember those children we have lost," Mr Hulls
said.

"We are proud to partner with the Alannah and Madeline
Foundation in hosting this special event on the last day
of Children's Week, which itself celebrates the importance
of children and their talents, skills and abilities.

"Parenthood and child-rearing is a fulfilling experience
full of challenges, joy, learning and discovery as children
mark significant milestones including taking their first
step, saying their first word and developing their own
individual personalities.

"We want Victorian children to grow up happy and healthy
and it's important that we celebrate children and nurture
and protect them every single day of the year."

Children365 was developed following the tragic death of
four-year-old Darcey Freeman in January this year.
In accordance with her family's wishes, the campaign aims
to celebrate all children.

The Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development
Maxine Morand commended The Alannah and Madeline Foundation
on the Children365 initiative and for its broader work in
supporting children who have experienced or witnessed
violence.

"Every child is special and deserves a happy and loving
childhood where they are nurtured and given every
opportunity to reach their full potential," Ms Morand said.

"Children365 is a great way to remind us to cherish,
love and enjoy our children every single day of the year."

The Family Fun Day at the Melbourne Museum on November 1
is hosted by the Victorian Government and is the final
event of Children's Week, running from October 24.  The
Victorian Government has provided $120,000 for the event.

Children's Week is an opportunity for Victorian families to celebrate children
and their talents, skills and abilities. Children's dress up days, story
telling, art shows and
family fun days will be among the fun and educational
activities on offer across Victoria during the week.

For more information about Children's Week celebrations
in 2009, visit www.education.vic.gov.au/childrensweek.
For more information about Children365,
visit

http://www.amf.org.au

Freeview will showcase its new advertising at
the end of next month, promoting the content of

Ten's One HD sports channel,
Nine's youth channel Go,
SBS2,
Seven's new channel
expected to launch on November 22),
ABC2

and children's channel ABC3 (due to launch on December 4).

"Foxtel is great for people who want to pay," Freeview general manager Robyn
Parkes said. "There's still 70 per cent of
people out there who don't."

more by Lara Sinclair | October 05, 2009 at :

<http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26163926-7582,00.html>

WELLINGTON: The New Zealand-produced mystery drama
Kaitangata Twitch has been sold to ABC TV in
Australia by Lenz Entertainment.

Done in live action and CGI, the tale is of the
modern world confronted by Maori legend.

The project is from author Margaret Mahy, and is
directed by Yvonne Mackay. The $6 million series
is produced by Chris Hampson with Dorothee Pinfold
and Yvonne Mackay executive producers.

Kaitangata Twitch is distributed internationally by
Canadian-based Lenz Entertainment.

"We are delighted that ABC TV will screen Kaitangata
Twitch," said Barbara Uecker, the head of programming
and acquisitions for children's TV at ABC TV.

"New Zealand has a wonderful, rich Maori culture and
we have no doubt our audience will enjoy this very
personal tale by Margaret Mahy. The production is
convincing with its great cast, amazing location and
thrilling story."

"We are delighted to have achieved our first sale
with ABC TV Australia," commented Jack Lenz, the
president of distributor Lenz Entertainment. "It's
perfectly suited to this excellent series, which
we're thrilled to be a part of."

"Kaitangata Twitch deals with a number of strong
themes over 13 half hours," added director Mackay.
"Conservation of the environment; the breakdown of
family and most importantly, of young people finding
their identity and their place within the world and
their own mixed race family. There are such wonderful
themes, which really reflect the qualities of the
Prix Jeunesse—a celebration of diversity and a youth
being special, but different."


By Kristin Brzoznowski Published: October 3, 2009

http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/22722

Barbie Doll and other Childhood Classics
for the Big Screen

With Mattel's recent announcement of plans to bring
their beloved Barbie to the big screen in the near
future, Hollywood's desire to tap into old childhood
classics and playful themes is gathering steam.

More about movie plans for childhood favourites
including "Sweet Valley High," at :

http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Evanna_Lynch/message/203

More Childrens TV at :

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/Aus_Childrens_TV/

Foxtel ups the ante in digital TV battle

FOXTEL has responded to intensified competition
in the digital television market from free-to-air
networks by unveiling a number of new products,
including a a downloading platform.

The service, Foxtel Download, will be available free
to pay-TV subscribers from November 15 and will hold
up to 400 hours of content from 38 channels, which
will be expanded to 600 hours within a month.

A new sports channel, ESPN360, has begun live streaming.

Other developments, including Foxtel's multi-channel
coverage of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, will launch
in 2010.

Declaring the changes ''the most significant milestone
in Foxtel's history'' since the launch of digital in
2004, chief executive Kim Williams also announced 12
new channels.

Among them are Lifestyle You, featuring MasterChef's
Sarah Wilson, racing identity Kate Waterhouse and TV
presenter Antonia Kidman; murder mystery channel 13th
Street; an ad-free children's channel, Kids Co; The
Style Network; and sports channel Eurosport.

Mr Williams said Foxtel would also expand its
high-definition service to 15 channels.

New movie channels will include Showtime Drama,
Showtime Comedy, Showtime Action, Family Movie
Channel, and Starpics, which will show blocks of
movies featuring a particular actor.

There will also be eight new time-shift channels,
allowing viewers to watch the same shows a couple
of hours later.

As part of the changes, the cost of subscription
packages will increase by ''a few dollars a month'',
Foxtel said.

Michael Idato September 30, 2009

<http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/foxtel-ups-the-ante-in-di\
gital-tv-battle/2009/09/29/1253989911976.html>

Star of Australian Children's Television Jay Laga'aia
appointed ambassador to children's charity

Tuesday, September 22, 2009 - Touched By Olivia Foundation

Today, founders of Touched by Olivia Foundation announced
the appointment of one of Australia's most diverse performers
and star of children's television, Jay Laga'aia, as the
ambassador for their children's health promotion charity.

Justine and John Perkins, founders of the Touched by Olivia Foundation welcomed
Laga'aia's support for their initiative
to help bring health and happiness to Australian children.

"Jay has been a tremendous supporter of Touched by Olivia
and when we talked about who might be an appropriate
ambassador for our organisation, we couldn't think of anyone better," said Mrs
Perkins.

"As a Dad of 8 children and talented children's performer, performing on
Playschool and Jay's Place, Jay's passion for
children and their wellbeing is a beautiful fit for Touched
by Olivia. We're delighted to have his support," she said.

"Jay's musical talent and love of children brings that
something special to Touched by Olivia,'" Mrs Perkins
said.

At a special presentation at Lucas Gardens School for
children with special needs, Jay Laga'aia was honoured to
have been appointed by the Foundation saying, "Touched by
Olivia is doing wonderful work to help kids and I'm
thrilled to be part of it."

"I have this motto about `doing' not `saying' and that's
exactly what Touched by Olivia is all about. They make it
happen," Laga'aia said.

"As a family man, I'm proud to offer my full support because
I know the work they are doing is having a significant
impact on helping children and communities," he said.

"I know that if any of my kids needed help, I would hope
that someone would help them. Really, it doesn't take much
to make a difference in a child's life, and I'm delighted
to be part of such a worthwhile organisation," Laga'aia said.

Principal of Lucas Gardens School Ann Roberts said, "Jay
Laga'aia is a wonderful choice for ambassador - he is a
natural for the job and has a great gift for relating to all children."

"He had our children laughing and smiling all afternoon as he entertained them
with stories, singing and playing his ukulele.
It was a very special afternoon and felt like a really personal
and intimate concert," said Ann Roberts.

Laga'aia enjoyed spending time with the children from the school saying, "I've
had some fabulous roles in my time but being Ambassador for such an inspiring
organisation is one of the best role's I've ever been cast in."

Through three principle initiatives, the Touched by Olivia Foundation works with
local councils and communities to build
all ability playgrounds called Livvi's Place and supports
Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick by funding medical
advancement through research and the purchase of much needed equipment.

Their third initiative is to partner with other children's charities, such as
Good Beginnings Australia, to produce and
deliver parenting programs aimed at nurturing and improving
the well-being of children and family life.

"By bringing Olivia's Touch to others in need, we aim to
create a positive change in the future of all our children,"
Mrs Perkins said.

To make a donation to support the work of the Touched by
Olivia Foundation, p

lease go to: http://www.touchedbyolivia.com.au

All donations of $2 or more are gratefully received and
fully tax deductible with 100% of every donation contributing
to Touched by Olivia initiatives bringing health and happiness
to Australian Children.

About Touched By Olivia Foundation
Touched by Olivia Foundation raises vital funds for healthier, happier kids

In 2006 John and Justine Perkins founded the Touched by Olivia Foundation (TBOF)
as a way of finding a positive meaning
following the tragic loss of their baby daughter Olivia, at
just 8 months-of-age to a rare disease called Lymphangioma.
This is their way of bringing Olivia's touch to others by
creating a positive change to the lives and futures of other children.

TBOF is a registered health promotion charity with deductible
gift recipient status. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. The
Foundation operates at zero overheads with
100% of all donations supporting the TBOF initiatives.

The TBOF Initiatives

1. Supporting the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick in
funding medical advancement through research and the purchase
of much needed equipment.

2. Working with local councils and communities to raise funds
to upgrade playgrounds to an all abilities standard to give
children and families of all abilities the opportunity to
play together. These playgrounds will be called "Livvi's Place".

3. Partnering with other children's charities, such as Good Beginnings
Australia, to produce and deliver parenting
programs aimed at nurturing and improving the well-being of
children and family life.

Touched by Olivia - Livvi's Place - Promoting Health &
Happiness of Our Kids

In addition to creating opportunities for children of all
abilities to play together, Livvi's Place aims to help reduce childhood obesity
through creating and promoting better
facilities for outdoor play which provide graduated challenges
for prolonged interest.

Did you know that:

• 24% of Australian children are obese

• 62% of Australian families have both parents working

• Australians have experienced a 45% increase in high density
living over the last 20 years

• 25% + of Australian kids spend 4+ hrs per day in front of TV

• NSW has the lowest spend per capita on parks and playgrounds
in Australia

• Heart disease is now one of the leading causes of death in
4-14 year-olds

Contacts for Touched by Olivia Foundation:

http://www.touchedbyolivia.com.au

About Jay Laga'aia & Lucas Gardens School

  JAY LAGA'AIA – Ambassador for Touched by Olivia Foundation
Jay Laga'aia is one of Australia's most versatile performers
and is highly regarded amongst adults and children alike.
Laga'aia's career has spanned theatre, film, television and
musical theatre.

Laga'aia is known by children as a regular presenter on long
running children's programme PLAYSCHOOL. He is also known for
his own show JAY'S PLACE and currently narrates all the
characters on the Seven Networks' programme LARRY THE
LAWNMOWER.

Laga'aia's performing career includes roles in films STAR WARS EPISODE II:
ATTACK OF THE CLONES and STAR WARS EPISODE III:
REVENGE OF THE SITH and more recently NIMS ISLANDS and
DAYBREAKERS. He is a regular on Australian television with
long-term roles on WATER RATS for the Nine Network,
BED OF ROSES for the ABC, STREET LEGAL, SURPRISE SURPRISE,
and XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS Series 1, 2 and 5. Laga'aia has
had guest appearances on MCLEODS DAUGHTERS, HOME AND AWAY
and ALL SAINTS. He is also known for his stage performances
in productions such as THE LION KING (2003-2005) for which he
played the lead role of Mufasa.

With ABC Music Laga'aia released the children's album,
COME SING AND DANCE in 2007 and in 2008 the DVD of JAYS
PLACE.

Laga'aia won the 2007 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production
for Children and in 2003 was named Best Actor in a television
series for STREET LEGAL.

LUCAS GARDEN'S SCHOOL - Ann Roberts - Principal
Lucas Gardens School provides educational programs for
students with intellectual and physical disabilities, some
of whom also have sensory impairments and complex medical conditions. The school
operates 6 classes on the Canada Bay
site, and retains 2 places for part time enrolment for
students in respite care at the Summer Hill Respite Centre.

The school draws its enrolment from the Inner West area of
Sydney, resulting in a diverse student population from a
range of backgrounds. Lucas Gardens School enjoys strong
community support from local service organisations, resulting
in enhanced resources, the development of specialised learning environments and
the employment of school based Therapy Staff.

Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology services are available
through the school's own Therapy Staff, as well as by referral
to DADHC and the Spastic Centre. An interactive sensory room, fragrant sensory
garden, Liberty Swing, children's library,
touch screen computers and specially designed play environments
all create a unique learning environment to support students to achieve their
individual goals and maximise their independence.

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Third series of "H20" to be launched at Mipcom 2009

Australia keeps kid programming quotas

Government maintains mandate for drama content

SYDNEY -- Aussie kidvid producers are breathing a
sigh of relief after the government's extensive
review of the children's television guidelines --
which include programming quotas for the commercial
networks -- left them largely intact.

After an extensive year long evaluation, the government
handed down its findings Sept. 1, maintaining the
status quo; the only controversial move was the lack
of a ban on junk food ads during kids' skeins.

These quotas -- 32 hours of drama a year for the
three commercial-free webs -- are largely credited
with Oz's strong position in the kidvid area,
particularly tween drama.

"Across the three networks, that means 96 hours of
kids' drama is produced every year, and I don't know
anywhere else that has a children's drama quota like
that," says Jenny Buckland of the Australian Children's
Television Foundation, the kidvid producer and nonprofit
org that monitors Aussie kids TV.

Southern Star Intl. topper Cathy Payne agrees that
"because we have had to produce it, we have become
very good at it."

Payne acknowledges that the leaders in the area are
still Stateside with such fare as "Hannah Montana"
and "Drake and Josh," but she thinks Oz punches
above its weight.

"What has worked very well for us are shows like
'Blue Water High,' and we've got a new tween kids
drama launching this market called 'A gURLs wURLd.'
We expect that, like 'Blue Water High,' that will
sell everywhere.

"A gURLs wURLd" looks at three teen friends who meet
at an international school, while "Blue Water High"
is set in a teen surf school at a fictional white-sand
locale called Blue Water Beach.

It is this last type of show, or its location, that
  Buckland also believes gives Down Under the edge in
tween drama production.

"When we look at the shows we produce, the ones that
have done really, really well are the ones that have
focused on the great outdoors, the beaches, the wide-
open skies -- all those things that are really
attractive about Australia," Buckland says.

One company that has worked this formula well is
Jonathan M. Schiff Prods., whose skeins include
teen mermaid drama "H20: Just Add Water" and
international hit "Ocean Girl."

The third series of "H20" -- which has sold to
130 territories, including Nickelodeon Stateside --
is launching at Mipcom this year along with the
second season of "Elephant Princess," a co-prod
  with German broadcaster ZDF about a girl who
discovers she is the princess of a far-flung kingdom.

And there is a new development on the horizon that
should help sustain health in the Antipodean kids
industry.

Pubcaster ABC, after years of wrangling, finally
received $142 million in funding over the next three
years to set up a dedicated kids channel, ABC3. With
much of the funds earmarked for content, the move is
seen as the biggest advance in programming Down Under
  since the children's TV regulations were introduced
more than 20 years ago.

The ACTF already has a skein ready for the new channel:
"My Place" 13 half-hours of historical drama that begins
in 2008 and goes back every 10 years to the same house
visiting different families to give a view of changing
Sydney over 130 years. Skein is the first series from
producer Penny Chapman ("Brides of Christ," "Police
Rescue").

With demand not just for kid-targeted dramas but also
formats, quizzers and docus, Buckland believes ABC3
will not just boost production but see it vary.

"Although the network's had that quota, the ABC never
had a quota, and some years they have been commissioning
as little as seven or eight hours (of kids programming),"
she says. "Now with that injection of funds for ABC3,
there will be a lot of new stuff coming out of Australia
in the next three years, and it will possibly be new
producers too because they are looking for a wider range
of formats."

By PAUL CHAI Tue., Sep. 22, 2009

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118008975.html?categoryId=3739&cs=1

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Australia's favourite V8 racing champion Craig Lowndes,
is set to make his children's television debut on the
hugely popular ABC for Kids series, Roary the Racing Car
in early 2010 on ABC1 and ABC2.

Lowndes will voice the character,
Conrod - a big throaty new Aussie V8 racing champion.
Conrod is named after the famous straight at the
Bathurst race track where Lowndes found fame.

Lowndes' debut will screen as part of an exclusive
broadcast deal with Chapman Entertainment in the UK
and ABC TV for Roary the Racing Car series two.

Lowndes' passion for motor racing, loveable
personality and laid-back Australian style was deemed
perfect for the role of Conrod.

ABC TV's Children's Head of Programming & Acquisitions,
Barbara Uecker says: "We are delighted Craig Lowndes
will join series two of Roary the Racing Car. As an
Australian racing icon, he is ideal for this new role
as Conrod."

Voicing a children's TV character is an exciting new
challenge for Lowndes.

"I am thrilled to be joining the star studded cast of
Roary the Racing Car and trying my hand at children's
animation. My kids absolutely love watching Roary the
Racing Car and I have moved into super cool dad status
now that I am involved in the show," said Lowndes.

Craig and Roary will be meeting the fans at Bathurst
1000 on Saturday 10th October, 2009.

Visit

http://www.roarytheracingcar.com

for more information.

Roary the Racing Car is a turbo charged BAFTA-nominated
pre-school series, narrated by legendary British racing
driver, Sir Stirling Moss, and developed by Keith Chapman
(Fifi and the Flowertots and Bob the Builder).

Tuesday 22 Sep 2009
http://www.nmd.com.au/nmd/news/details/7472

KidsCo to Air ACTF's Round The Twist

LONDON: KidsCo has struck a deal with the
Australian Children's Television Foundation
(ACTF) to air the live-action drama
Round The Twist across Europe.

The first four seasons will be broadcast in
Belgium, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain
from October 5.

Round The Twist features stories based on the
Twist family, who live in a lighthouse.

The show will air Monday through Friday at
12:10 p.m. and will repeat at 8:30 p.m.

KidsCo's programming director, Eileen McCarthy,
said: "The ACTF has a world leading reputation
for producing quality live-action children's
programming.

Round The Twist engages a young audience with
ground-breaking humor that is relevant and highly
engaging, whilst also delivering important
educational messages. The blend of animation and
live-action programming on KidsCo is particularly
compelling to viewers."

Tim Hegarty, the international children's sales
executive at ACTF, commented: "As the fourth
largest children's channel, KidsCo is a powerful
partner for Round The Twist. KidsCo's core goal—to
provide engaging content and an education stimulus
fits perfectly with this program. Children's humor
is universal and infectious and we are delighted
that Round The Twist will be aired on a channel that
has proved such a success across Europe."


By Kristin Brzoznowski Published: September 15, 2009


http://www.worldscreen.com/articles/display/22428