Simon Townsend's Wonder World
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Children's television |
| Founded | September 3, 1979 in Sydney, Australia |
| Founder | Simon Townsend |
| Defunct | August 20, 1987 |
| Successor | Wonder World! (revival, 1993–1995) |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Key people | Simon Townsend (creator and presenter), Harvey Shore (executive producer) |
| Products | Children's television programming |
Simon Townsend's Wonder World! was a children's television program from Australia broadcast on Network Ten between 1979 and 1987. The show was created and presented by journalist Simon Townsend. In 1993, it was revived on the Nine Network under the abbreviated title Wonder World!, with Pascall Fox serving as the host.
Format
Each episode, lasting 30 minutes, featured Townsend in the studio accompanied initially by his bloodhound Woodrow, who was later replaced after 1986 first by a cockatoo and then by a Labrador puppy named Logie. Townsend introduced four distinct magazine-style segments per episode, each reported by different correspondents. These stories covered a wide range of subjects, blending serious themes with lighter, entertaining content. The production crew consisted of an executive producer (primarily Harvey Shore), associate producers, researchers, cinematographers, sound technicians, reporters, and editors. Weekly output amounted to approximately eighty minutes of footage, filmed on 16mm reversal film. The stories were developed without scripts, relying instead on thorough research, guidance from producers, and the reporters’ own initiative.
Viewer participation segments and musical features were also part of the program; notably, it created the first music video for Australian band INXS. Filming took place across Australia as well as internationally in regions including America, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific. Although produced in Sydney, Townsend aimed for content that would remain relevant and engaging over time to a broad audience. Each episode concluded with his trademark phrase: "And remember, the world really is wonderful!"
History
Townsend originated the concept in the early 1970s as a dynamic and informative entertainment show designed for children and older viewers alike. After unsuccessful pilot attempts with both Nine Network and Seven Network, the introduction of Australia's mandatory 'C' classification in 1979 increased demand for quality children's programming. Townsend then pitched his idea to the Ten Network, which was searching for an appropriate series.
The program premiered on 3 September 1979 in Sydney and on 10 September in Melbourne. Executive producer Harvey Shore joined early in 1980, utilizing his media connections to enhance publicity and improve ratings. The show eventually expanded nationwide and became Ten Network’s highest-rated program outside prime-time hours. Its popularity led to two daily broadcasts on Ten for several years.
After producing a total of 1,961 episodes, Simon Townsend's Wonder World! concluded its run with the final episode airing on 20 August 1987 in Sydney and on 3 September in Melbourne.
Wonder World!
In 1993, the Nine Network revived Townsend’s program under the shortened name Wonder World!, hosted by Pascall Fox. This version aired weekday afternoons over three years while retaining the original theme song performed by James Morley, who was then bassist for rock group The Angels. Simon Townsend continues to hold ownership rights over both the theme music and the show's format.
Theme music
Initially, Simon Townsend selected the 1976 song Afternoon Delight by Bill Danoff as the series’ theme tune. Upon discovering the lyrics’ meaning, he commissioned Australian songwriter and producer Chris Pelcer to compose an original theme. This new song was performed by John St Peeters, produced by Mike Harvey at EMI Studios Sydney in 1979, and released as a single titled "Wonder World!" through RCA Records.
In 1983, Townsend recorded a new version featuring emerging vocalist Naomi Louise Warne—who later achieved international acclaim as a blues artist. Warne’s rendition was used for one season before being replaced by an energetic re-recording by St Peeters that remained until the program ended in 1987.
Awards and accolades
Simon Townsend's Wonder World! received five Logie Awards, a TV Star Award, and numerous other honors. In 1983, Prime Minister Bob Hawke personally awarded Townsend the special 'Prime Minister's Award' in recognition of the program reaching 1,000 episodes. The series continues to hold the distinction of being Australia's top-rated children's television show.
Townsend Entertainments played a significant role in nurturing Australian talent, including the historic appointment of Bronwyn Nicholas as the nation's first full-time female cinematographer. Notable former contributors include cinematographer Andrew Lesnie, who later won an Academy Award; presenter Jonathan Coleman; radio personality Angela Catterns; and reporter and singer Edith Bliss. Producers Philip Tanner and Maurice Parker progressed to influential industry positions, with Tanner and Brett Clements eventually developing board games inspired by a Wonder World! episode. Researchers Kristine Wyld and Fiona Baker launched successful television careers after their beginnings on the show, contributing to prominent series such as RPA.
Reporters
Throughout its seven-year broadcast history, Simon Townsend's Wonder World! featured several key reporters:
- Jonathan Coleman
- Angela Catterns
- Hugh Piper
- Sandy Mauger
- Edith Bliss
- Sheridan Jobbins
- Alita Fahey
- Maurice Parker
- Phillip Tanner
- Hugh Munro
- Brett Clements
- Wednesday Kennedy
- Adam Bowen
- Carolyn Mee
- Malinda Rutter
Wonder World!
In 1992, former reporters Phillip Tanner and Brett Clements secured a license from Simon Townsend to develop an updated iteration of Simon Townsend's Wonder World!. They sold this revamped series, now titled Wonder World!, to the Nine Network, which subsequently relaunched it. The original theme tune, composed by Australian songwriter Chris Pelcer at Townsend’s request, was retained until the show's conclusion.
Harvey Shore was engaged to mentor new reporters and oversee production for Nine Network. The initial team of hosts and reporters included:
- Pascall Fox (recognizable for her vibrant hair colors; later a presenter on Australian adaptations of Ground Force and Your Life on the Lawn)
- Jodie Young (who subsequently appeared in Sex/Life and featured in Australian Playboy)
- Nick Penn
- Tony Johnston (who went on to produce television internationally)
Later additions to the reporting team featured:
- Catriona Rowntree (who rose to prominence on Nine Network’s travel show Getaway)
- Dave Kelly (who transitioned into film editing and production)
- Sonia Kruger (known for her involvement in Strictly Ballroom)
Bill Bovill contributed as "Today's Poet" and made reference to this role on his personal blog.
The Nine Network’s version of Wonder World! commenced production in 1993 and sustained strong viewership across its three-year run.