- Thousands of WA school students inspired to raise more than $150,000 for Telethon
- Students from 75 schools took part in the challenge to help sick, vulnerable, and disadvantaged children
- Challenge included a visual art competition for students to reflect on what Telethon means to them
Thousands of students from 75 schools across Western Australia have raised $153,760 in the 2026 Premier's Telethon Challenge, setting a new fundraising record for the competition in its second year.
The challenge - which ran from Monday, 20 April to Friday, 4 September - was open to all kindergarten to year 12 Western Australian students from both public and non-government schools.
Students showed generosity, empathy and collaboration throughout the challenge and found creative ways to gather community funds for vulnerable children.
Mindarie Primary School raised a significant amount for the second year in a row, going one better than last year and securing the top fundraising spot with a record $32,202.
The highest fundraisers for each category include:
- Small school: Durham Road School, $3,567;
- Medium school: North Woodvale Primary School, $20,521; and
- Large school: Mindarie Primary School, $32,202.
The winning schools held pyjama and dress-up days, raffles, fun runs, sausage sizzles, crazy sock days, winter solstice markets, and a 12-hour 'discothon' to raise money.
As their prize, the top school fundraiser in each category can choose a behind-the-scenes experience during Telethon Weekend or a visit from Fat Cat to their school.
Alongside the challenge, the visual art competition encouraged students to reflect on their experience of giving and consider: 'What are you and your school doing to help make a difference for sick kids in WA?'.
The competition received 84 entries, including a collaborative project from the year 6 students at Freshwater Bay Primary School titled 'Wings of Hope' - a sculpture made from messages of hope handwritten by the students.
A presentation event will be held at The Perth Mint on Friday, 16 October to celebrate the fundraising efforts of WA schools and challenge winners.
All participating schools that have raised money will be invited to present their donation at the Telethon Weekend.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"Western Australians have always dug deep for Telethon, and it's fantastic to see Western Australian students getting behind such an important cause.
"The Premier's Telethon Challenge is about giving students the opportunity to understand that whatever their age, they can make a meaningful contribution to their community.
"To have schools raise even more in the second year of the challenge is an outstanding result and a credit to the enthusiasm of students, staff, and families across our State.
"I want to congratulate every student who participated and thank them for their incredible efforts."
As stated by Education Minister Sabine Winton:
"Kids helping kids is incredibly special and the enthusiasm that students have shown in working together to raise vital funds as part of the Premier's Telethon Challenge is inspiring to see.
"Schools play such an important role in helping young people understand the value of giving back to their community.
"It has been wonderful to see the creative ways Western Australian students have worked together to raise money to help sick and disadvantaged children.
"Congratulations to every student, teacher, and school community that got involved and helped make this year's challenge such a huge success."
