Memory lane

10 July, 1966 Play School first screens in Australia

The view of a busy barnyard through the arched window; the satisfying sound of roundnosed scissors cutting cardboard; the Rocket Clock announcing the turning of the seasons – for 55 years, Play School has introduced Aussie children to the world and made it seem like a child-sized, fun and friendly place. When grown-ups went into space, Benita and George built a seemingly life-sized space shuttle out of ice-cream containers and cardboard. When life seemed absurd, it was time for a rousing rendition of The Ning Nang Nong, which in one memorable episode featured decades of the show’s energetic, eccentric presenters, including Monica Trapaga, George Spartels, Trisha Goddard, Angela Moore (who transitioned to Play School writer), Justine Clarke (part of the show for 21 years), the legendary Noni Hazlehurst (23 years), cheeky John Hamblin (29 years) and Benita Collings (who appeared in more than 400 episodes from 1969 to 1999). Other actors who’ve rummaged through the Play School dress-up box or made magic with egg cartons and tape include John Waters, Ruth Cracknell, Deborah Mailman, Georgie Parker, Miranda Tapsell, Sofya Gollan – the list goes on. “It was the best training ground for an actor,” says Karen Pang. None of the cast has outlasted the original toys – Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima and Humpty – who are still stopped for selfies in the ABC foyer by visiting politicians and celebrities. Over the years other toys have come and gone. Sam the Lamb joined the cast in the late 1980s. Poor Hamble’s contract wasn’t renewed in 1993, but she was replaced by the similarly pint-sized plastic Meeka. And Kiya made her first appearance in a special Welcome to Country episode during NAIDOC Week in 2019. The show is fast approaching its 2500th episode and as presenter Alex Papps said at its 50th birthday: “I don’t see why Play School shouldn’t endure for as long as there are people ... It should endure forever.”