Channel Seven Perth Telethon

Telethon began in 1968, when the Trust was established by a group of senior executives at Channel 7 Perth[5] Before moving to the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, it was previously held at Channel 7 studios at Dianella, Western Australia.

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.[6][7][8] Jackson could not perform due to contractual reasons, but he spoke briefly and met the two "Little Telethon Stars".[7]

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.[9] 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.[10] The 2008 event also featured an Australian rules football match between old West Coast Eagles players and old 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.[11] This match ran until 2012.[12]

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.[13] 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 Telethon Home selling prior to auction for a record A$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 the Perth Arena. In 2013, Telethon again broke the record, raising $20.7 million, which works out to be around $8.60 per head of population. 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.[14] 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.[15]