Telethon SA announces closure after struggles to keep the lights on

A South Australia charity that helped raise millions of dollars for more than 100 organisations has sold its final lottery ticket.

SA TV radio presenter Ken Cunningham with Lisa McAskill, Rob Kelvin and Kym Dillon at Distinctive Homes Telethon Home The Madrid at Westwood Estate. charity

One of South Australia’s longest-running charities has announced its closure after 64 years of fundraising.

Telethon SA was long-known for its on-air appeals with Channel 9, their home and land lottery packages, and other charitable events that ran for over six decades.

The charity had conducted unique fundraising activities in all its years of operation, including beloved beauty pageant ‘Miss Telethon Quest’ which successfully ran for 30 years, the on-air appeals ‘Telethons’ that peaked in the 1960s and 70s, and the infamous home and land lottery initiatives ‘House of Hope’ that partnered with home builders to donate homes to entrants that correctly estimated the values of the houses.

Humphery Bear and Laborers at the 1984 Fairmont Pacific Telethon House, Lot 338, McEwin Avenue Redwood Park. SA

The charity parted ways with long-time collaborator, Channel 9, in 2015 and since then faced dire straits without the advertising support of the television station.

They announced imminent closure in 2017 but were able to continue operations after generating enough public support.

However, the adverse effects of the pandemic, rising costs and the presence of other competing high-profile lotteries stifled Telethon’s efforts and led to their decision to close doors in August 2024.

Telethon SA has proudly supported more than 100 South Australian organisations, raising over $40 million dollars for their fundraising projects in their 64 year span.

Its most recent lottery raised ticket sales of close to $4 million, a large portion of which went towards 23 South Australian charities.

“We have been at the heart of South Australia for all these years. While it’s sad to be finally closing down, we can be proud of Telethon’s achievements, thanks to the support of our sponsors and suppliers and to the community of South Australia,” Telethon SA chair Neil Smith said.