10 October 2025
More than $100,000 was raised by Western Australian kids, for West Australian kids during the 2025 Premier’s Telethon Challenge.
The inaugural challenge has ended, with 79 schools raising $115,181 for Telethon.
The challenge launched in May and encouraged young people to work together to make a positive impact in their communities, growing their understanding of generosity, empathy, and community spirit.
Mindarie Primary School took out the large school fundraising category.
From sausage sizzles to crazy hair days, bake sales and craft stalls, schools came together to raise money for sick, vulnerable and disadvantaged children across WA.
Large and small schools across the state joined in, with some schools packing a fundraising punch for their size.
The Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School in Glen Iris, with 100 students total, raised more than $1,400 for Telethon.
Principal Bronwyn Mumme told 7News Regional earlier this year, “we set ourselves a goal of raising $250, and as of today we’re exceeding that, it's over $800, so we’re really proud of our families and our kids for participating.”
Students at Geraldton’s St Francis Xavier Primary School hit the leaderboard early and their efforts attracted the attention of local radio and news networks.
Among their fun-raising ideas was a ‘guess the staff baby photo’ competition and a raffle to tell jokes over the school’s PA system.
Their Year 6 cohort were eager to join the challenge after their school camp to the Kids Research Centre (formerly the Telethon Institute) at Perth Children’s Hospital, where they saw first-hand the amazing technology and resources at work.
The competition closed on September 19.
St Francis Xavier Primary School claimed the medium school fundraising category.
The top schools for each size category were:
- Durham Road School, small school fundraising winner
- St Francis Xavier Primary School, medium school fundraising winner
- Mindarie Primary School, large school fundraising winner
The winners will be recognised at a presentation event at the Perth Mint on Friday 17 October and will enjoy a VIP experience at Telethon Weekend (18-19 October).
The challenge also included the Kids helping kids storytelling competition, which encouraged students of all ages to reflect on the impact of their philanthropic giving.
The storytelling winners were:
- Jisha Bhavsar, Ashdale Primary School – Lower primary category winner
- Oakley Greay, Ben Cramer, Paniha Thompson, Millie Stone and Megan Ollis, Yakamia Telethon Ambassadors – Upper primary category winners
- Storm Bugden, Callum Berrisford, Charlotte Hemsley, Halls Head College – Upper secondary category winners
The winning storytelling entries will be published in The West Australian on Saturday 11 October.