Wombat (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Wombat was an award-winning Australia
n children's TV show produced at BTQ Channel 7
in Brisbane from 1979 to 1990. It was aired on weekday afternoons, and later Saturday and Sunday mornings, across Australia.
The show had a number of hosts who were accompanied by Agro, a puppet played by Jamie Dunn
. The show consisted of small educational editorials presented in a variety of segments. The segments featured a number of regular reporters including Eric Summons, Fiona MacDonald, Bob La Castra
, identical twins Gayle & Gillian Blakeney
, Rob Elliott
, Tony Gordon and Gary Hardgrave
. The program also included children as regular reporters including Scott Sutherland, Pippa? Some of these reporters performed double duty as host of the show, notably Bob La Castra
and Gayle & Gillian Blakeney
. Other regular guests included: Laurel Edwards, Michael Futcher, Stacey Thompson ("Ranger Stacey"), Ashley Wilkie, Kristine Davis, Jill Ray & Glenn Hansen.
The show received four consecutive Logie Awards for "Most Popular Children's Program" from 1987 to 1990. In addition, Agro won a Penguin Award
from the Television Society of Australia.
Some of the cast went on to appear in Totally Wild
. Agro also went on to host Agro's Cartoon Connection
and The Super Sunday Show.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n children's TV show produced at BTQ Channel 7
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
in Brisbane from 1979 to 1990. It was aired on weekday afternoons, and later Saturday and Sunday mornings, across Australia.
The show had a number of hosts who were accompanied by Agro, a puppet played by Jamie Dunn
Jamie Dunn
Jamie Dunn is an Australian comedian.Starting his entertainment career as a singer, Jamie Dunn moved into television, working the puppet Agro on Agro's Cartoon Connection.- Radio :Up until 2005, Dunn was a member of a radio breakfast show in Brisbane...
. The show consisted of small educational editorials presented in a variety of segments. The segments featured a number of regular reporters including Eric Summons, Fiona MacDonald, Bob La Castra
Bob La Castra
Bob La Castra or Robert La Castra was an a popular Australian children's television show presenter in the 1980s. Best known for his appearances on the children's show Wombat...
, identical twins Gayle & Gillian Blakeney
Gayle & Gillian Blakeney
Gayle and Gillian Blakeney are Australian identical twins who performed together as actresses and as a dance/pop duo in the 1990s. Born in Brisbane on 9 July 1966. Gayle is older by nine minutes. They are most widely known for their stint in the soap opera Neighbours.-Early career:The girls knew...
, Rob Elliott
Rob Elliott
Rob Elliott is a popular Australian radio announcer and television show host, best known for hosting Wheel of Fortune.-Television Career:...
, Tony Gordon and Gary Hardgrave
Gary Hardgrave
Gary Douglas Hardgrave , Australian politician, was the Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives from March 1996 until 2007, representing the Division of Moreton, Queensland. He was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and was educated at Griffith University, Queensland...
. The program also included children as regular reporters including Scott Sutherland, Pippa? Some of these reporters performed double duty as host of the show, notably Bob La Castra
Bob La Castra
Bob La Castra or Robert La Castra was an a popular Australian children's television show presenter in the 1980s. Best known for his appearances on the children's show Wombat...
and Gayle & Gillian Blakeney
Gayle & Gillian Blakeney
Gayle and Gillian Blakeney are Australian identical twins who performed together as actresses and as a dance/pop duo in the 1990s. Born in Brisbane on 9 July 1966. Gayle is older by nine minutes. They are most widely known for their stint in the soap opera Neighbours.-Early career:The girls knew...
. Other regular guests included: Laurel Edwards, Michael Futcher, Stacey Thompson ("Ranger Stacey"), Ashley Wilkie, Kristine Davis, Jill Ray & Glenn Hansen.
The show received four consecutive Logie Awards for "Most Popular Children's Program" from 1987 to 1990. In addition, Agro won a Penguin Award
Penguin Award
The Penguin Award is an annual award given for excellence in broadcasting by the Television Society of Australia. It was founded in 1954.The award trophy depicts an ear listening to a television tube, but strongly resembles a penguin....
from the Television Society of Australia.
Some of the cast went on to appear in Totally Wild
Totally Wild
Totally Wild is an Australian children's television series. It has been in production since 1992, airing on Network Ten since day one. It has the format of a news program, and does stories on topics such as Australia's native flora and fauna, action sports, the environment, science, and technology...
. Agro also went on to host Agro's Cartoon Connection
Agro's Cartoon Connection
Agro's Cartoon Connection was an Australian children's television show that aired on the Seven Network from 1989 to 1997. Shown on weekday mornings, it was primarily hosted by Agro, a puppet played by comedian Jamie Dunn...
and The Super Sunday Show.