It has been an eventful month for the Australian Children’s Television Foundation (ACTF) with the announcement of additional funding, a meeting with the federal Minister for the Arts, and a new Board member appointed by the Federal Government.

In the 2024 federal budget, the Albanese Government announced an investment of $14.5 million over four years to increase the development and production of Australian children’s television content.

ACTF Acting CEO Bernadette O’Mahony said: “Children are a unique audience and deserve quality local content - stories that are made especially for them that reflect our culture, and their world and voices.

"This additional funding means the ACTF will be able to invest in even more brilliant Australian kids shows for all ages and across all the platforms that children are watching. There will be more groundbreaking projects like Windcatcher (Stan), Eddie’s Lil’ Homies (NITV/Netflix) and Crazy Fun Park (ABC), watched and loved by Australian children and families, as well as audiences around the world.”

Cementing his commitment to Australian children’s content, Minister for the Arts the Hon. Tony Burke visited the production office of Victorian producers Gristmill, along with the ACTF.

During the visit, producers Wayne Hope and Robyn Butler along with ACTF Acting CEO Bernadette O’Mahony discussed the global and local success and unique challenges of Australian children’s screen content.

The ACTF has also welcomed a new Board member, Australian stage and screen entertainer Simon Pryce, best known to younger audiences for his work on The Wiggles. The Federal Government has appointed Mr. Pryce as Commonwealth representative to the ACTF Board for a three-year term.

Mr. Pryce has an extensive theatre and screen background, and Minister Burke said his experience makes him the perfect choice for the Board: “You’d struggle to find a more well-known or beloved figure in Australian children’s television than the Red Wiggle. Simon is a staple of living rooms and TV screens across Australia and the world. I’m confident that Simon’s experience in children’s entertainment will be a great asset to the Australian Children’s Television Foundation Board.”

Mr. Pryce has welcomed the chance to contribute to the creation of Australian children’s content: “I’ve been very grateful for the opportunity that I’ve had to be involved in children’s entertainment as part of The Wiggles.

“Joining the Australian Children’s Television Foundation Board is a chance to give back and to see the growth of children’s entertainment in Australia.”

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