Simon Townsend's Wonder World facts for kids

Simon Townsend's Wonder World! was a super popular Australian TV show for kids! It aired on Network Ten from 1979 to 1987. The show was hosted by a journalist named Simon Townsend. It was known for its fun stories and amazing reporters.

What Was Wonder World! Like?

Each episode of Simon Townsend's Wonder World! started with Simon Townsend in the studio. He was often joined by his pet bloodhound named Woodrow. When Woodrow passed away in 1986, a sulphur-crested cockatoo joined the show. Later, a baby Labrador retriever puppy took its place. Viewers even helped name the puppy "Logie" after Simon won a Logie award!

After the intro, Simon would present four different short stories. These stories were like mini-documentaries, each presented by a different reporter. They covered all sorts of cool topics!

How Stories Were Made

The show's team worked really hard to create new stories every week. They had researchers, camera people, sound experts, reporters, and editors. They filmed everything on special 16mm film. The stories were not planned out word-for-word. Instead, they relied on the reporters and crew to be creative and think on their feet!

Every show also had a special part for viewers. There was also a music segment, sometimes featuring music videos made by the show itself. Did you know Simon Townsend's Wonder World! made the first music video ever for the famous Australian band INXS?

Simon and his reporters traveled all over the world! They visited many places in Australia, America, the UK, Europe, India, Asia, and the Pacific region.

Simon Townsend always ended every show with his famous farewell: "And remember, the world really is wonderful!"

Awards and Achievements

Simon Townsend's Wonder World! won many awesome awards. These included five LOGIE Awards, a TV Star Award, and lots of other prizes. In 1983, the Australian Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, gave Simon Townsend a special award. This was to celebrate the show's 1000th episode! The show is still the highest-rated children's program in Australian TV history.

Simon Townsend loved to help new Australian talent get started. His company, Townsend Entertainments, gave many people their first chance in the entertainment world. For example, they were the first company in Australia to hire a woman, Bronwyn Nicholas, as a full-time camera person. This was a job usually done by men back then!

Another camera person from Wonder World!, Andrew Lesnie, later won an Academy Award for his amazing film work. Many other well-known people in TV and film got their start thanks to Simon Townsend's Wonder World!.

Famous People Who Started Here

Some of the people who worked on the show and became famous include:

• Jonathan Coleman - a big star in both Australia and the UK.
• Amanda Keller - a very popular radio and TV personality.
• Angela Catterns - became a radio star.
• Edith Bliss - famous in advertising and music.
• Philip Tanner and Maurice Parker - became top producers.
• Fiona Baker - created many hit TV shows like RPA. She got her first job as a researcher on Wonder World! right after university.

Wonder World! Reporters

Here are some of the amazing reporters who starred on Simon Townsend's Wonder World! during its seven years on air:

• Jonathan Coleman
• Angela Catterns
• Hugh Piper
• Sandy Mauger
• Edith Bliss
• Sheridan Jobbins
• Alita Fahey
• Maurice Parker
• Phillip Tanner
• Hugh Munro
• Brett Clements
• Wednesday Kennedy
• Adam Bowen
• Carolyn Mee
• Malinda Rutter

Wonder World! Returns!

In 1992, two former reporters from Simon Townsend's show, Phillip Tanner and Brett Clements, bought the rights to the show. They sold the idea to the Nine Network, and the show came back! The new show was simply called Wonder World!. The catchy theme song, written by Chris Pelcer for Simon Townsend, stayed the same until the very last episode.

Harvey Shore helped train the new reporters and produced the show for the Nine Network.

New Hosts and Reporters

The hosts and reporters for the new Wonder World! series included:

• Pascall Fox - known for her bright, colorful hair.
• Jodie Young
• Nick Penn - a celebrated comedian.
• Tony Johnston - later produced many TV shows.
• Liesl Macdonald

Later reporters also included:

• Catriona Rowntree - became a major star on the Nine Network.
• Dave Kelly - became a famous film editor and producer.
• Sonia Kruger - became a star on the Seven network.
• Liesl Macdonald

The new Wonder World! started in 1993 and was very popular for its three-year run.