Hop, Hop, Hooray! Skippy Turns 50!

Australia’s first global superstar has notched up a half century entertaining children around the world

If it wasn’t for a cheeky dolphin called Flipper, Australia may never have fallen in love with a remarkable kangaroo called Skippy, who could do everything from fight bushfires to catch criminals in a just few hops.

Skippy The Bush Kangaroo was only filmed for three seasons – from 1967 to 1969 – but it captivated children for decades and has been seen in 128 countries.

Of course, it wasn’t just Skippy – or Skip, as she became known to more than 300 million fans around the world – that children fell in love with, but the entire cast of the pioneering series, including Skippy’s best friend Sonny Hammond (Garry Pankhurst), his stern but lovable park ranger dad, Matt (the late Ed Devereaux) and Sonny’s older brother, Mark (Ken James).

APPEAL TO ALL

Mums fell in love with handsome blond helicopter pilot Jerry King, who was played by Tony Bonner, and had a soft spot for hardworking Matt, while most teenage boys had a huge crush on teen boarder Clancy Merrick (played by Liza Goddard).