Channel Seven Perth Telethon

Telethon began in 1968, when the Telethon Trust was established by senior executives Sir James Cruthers and Brian Treasure at Channel 7 Perth.[8] It was inspired by the success of the first MDA Labor Day Telethon hosted by Jerry Lewis in the United States in 1966, and the Good Friday Appeal in Melbourne.[9] Cruthers first brought up the idea with then-CEO of Princess Margaret Hospital, James Clarkson during a round of golf at Lake Karrinyup Country Club.[10][9] The first Perth Telethon has been described as chaotic: the station was open to the public for the first time, Australians were still adjusting to decimal currency, there were no computers so pledges and receipts were written out by hand, and anyone who pledged more than $2000 received a follow up phone call to ensure it was not a hoax. However the event raised more than anticipated.[10] The first Telethon also featured an infamous segment where guests Stuart Wagstaff, Johnny O'Keefe and Graham Kennedy, who were shirtless at the time, had to scramble to find their clothing before then-WA Premier David Brand made an appearance at the station. Wagstaff would become closely associated with Telethon, with the entertainer returning for 35 subsequent Telethons, making his last appearance via video in 2009.[11][12]

Michael Jackson appeared on the October 1985 Telethon as part of a deal with Western Australian millionaire Robert Holmes à Court (who owned the television station at the time) to acquire ATV Music Publishing.[13][14][15] Jackson could not perform due to contractual reasons, but he spoke briefly and met the two "Little Telethon Stars".[14]

2007 marked 40 years since Telethon began in Western Australia and raised more than $6.5 million. This was more than double the previous record amount of $3 million.[16] Telethon 2008 raised a further $7.5 million, with the Australian Federal Government contributing $1.5 million, and a lottery winner donating $1 million of her winnings to the cause.[17] The 2008 event also featured an Australian rules football match between former West Coast Eagles players and former Fremantle Dockers players in tribute to Chris Mainwaring, a former West Coast Eagles player and 7 news sports presenter who had died the previous year.[18] The match continued to be held until 2012.[19]

In 2010, Telethon broke its record set in 2008, raising $9,237,539. This figure was later revised to $10 million as the phones kept ringing after the Telethon finished. In addition, 2010 marked the year in which the total amount collected over the previous 43 years surpassed the $100 million milestone.[20] This Telethon was touted by Seven Network owner Kerry Stokes as being "the best Telethon ever". In 2011, Telethon once again broke the previous record by raising $13,473,159. In 2012, Telethon broke several records, with the metropolitan Telethon Home selling prior to auction for a record $1.2 million. In addition, the final total broke the $15 million milestone, raising a record $16,805,622. The telecast featured a live performance via video from Elton John who was performing at the Gala Opening of Perth Arena. In 2013, Telethon again broke the record, raising $20.7 million. The records continued to be broken in 2014, with a total of $25,271,542, due partly to a $20m five year commitment by BHP, while in 2015 $25.8 million was raised. 2016 saw $26,290,154 as the final total, which took Telethon's total raised over 49 years to $231,886,120.

In Telethon's 50th year in 2017, it raised $10 million more than its previous record amount, amounting to a total of $36,431,381.[21] In 2018, Telethon raised more than $38 million after a $2 million donation on behalf of Seven West Media at the last minute, which also saw the $300 million mark of total donations be broken.[22]

In 2020, challenges and restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic saw a number of changes to the annual Telethon broadcast. Most notably, the event replaced its traditional 26 hour live marathon broadcast with two, 3 hour live primetime specials broadcast from the Crown Theatre at Crown Perth on the evenings of 24 and 25 October 2020. Due to ongoing border restrictions, the 2020 broadcast also focused more on WA-based performers and personalities, though celebrities from the eastern states and overseas, and those from Seven's shows still featured during the event via pre-recorded segments.[23] 2020 also saw the first Telethon Family Festival held at Perth Stadium on 25 October 2020. The fundraising event was promoted as an opportunity for families to come together following the easing of pandemic restrictions and the cancellation of the 2020 Perth Royal Show earlier in the year.[5][24] Despite the new, much shorter format, the challenges faced by the event, and the uncertain economic climate, Telethon set a new record of $46,331,097 raised in 2020.[25]