It’s one of the most iconic television shows to ever grace Australian screens, and its presenters are some of the country’s most recognisable faces.
And after over 50 years on the air, ABC’s Play School is as popular as ever with children, with an estimated 80 percent of kids under six tuning in.
Play School premiered all the way back in July 1966 and is going strong, airing three times a day on weekdays and twice a day on weekends.
Beloved: ABC’s Play Schoolone of the most iconic television shows to ever grace Australian screens, and its presenters are some of the country’s most recognisable faces. But where ate they now? Pictured: John Hamblin and Benita Collings
In 2006, Play School entered the Logies’ Hall of Fame and solidified itself as one of the most important TV shows in Australia’s history.
Many beloved presenters have graced the program’s sound stage, going on to have incredible careers once they moved on.
Benita Collings
Then: Benita Collings is one of the Play Schools most famous and longest running presenters, appearing on the show between 1969 until 1999
Now: Now 79, Benita has also had a successful film, TV and stage career, as well as making it over to Hollywood, appearing alongside Nicholas Cage in the 2009 film Knowing
Benita Collings, now 79, is one of the Play Schools most famous and longest running presenters, appearing on the show between 1969 until 1999.
Benita has also had a successful film, TV and stage career, as well as making it over to Hollywood, appearing alongside Nicholas Cage in the 2009 film Knowing.
Her TV career includes time on dramas such as The Restless Years, The Sullivans, The Young Doctors, Sons and Daughters and A Country Practice and others.
Then: English-born presenter John Hamblin appeared on Play School between 1970 and 1999
Now: After leaving Play School the 89-year-old appeared on TV shows All Saints and Love My Way in the 2000s before retiring to Tasmania in 2009
John Hamblin
English-born presenter John Hamblin, 84, appeared on Play School between 1970 and 1999.
An actor also known for his role on The Restless Years, and as Michael Chamberlain in the 1984 film, The Disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain.
After leaving Play School John appeared on TV shows All Saints and Love My Way in the 2000s before retiring to Tasmania in 2009.
Then: Monica Trapaga a jazz singer and actress, was on Play School between 1990 and 1998
Now: Now 54, she went on to be a decorator appearing on Better Homes and Gardens from 1997 to 2003 and has published a number of cookbooks
Monica Trapaga
Monica Trapaga, 54, a jazz singer and actress, appeared on Play School between 1990 and 1998.
She went on to be a decorator appearing on Better Homes and Gardens from 1997 to 2003.
Monica went on to record jazz albums in the 1990s, as well as authoring multiple cookbooks, the most recent of which, A Bite of the Big Apple: My food adventure in New York, was published in 2013.
While in 2016, she named the head of the Australian jury for the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest.
Then: English Born actor John Waters appeared on the children’s program between 1972 and 1991. Pictured with Bettina Collings
Now: An established TV actor, the 71-year-old starred on ABC TV series Rake in 2015 and on Mystery Road in 2018 as well as having a stage career
John Waters
English Born actor John Waters, 71, appeared on the children’s program between 1972 and 1991.
After leaving the show, John went on to star in many musical theatre performances including starring as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family musical in 2013.
He’s also an established TV actor, starring on ABC TV series Rake in 2015 and on Mystery Road in 2018.
Then: George Spartels (left) was a presenter on Play School between 1985 and 1999
Now: However he may well be best know for playing Benito Alessi on soap opera Neighbours in the 90s and is currently touring the world as a stage actor
George Spartels
George Spartels, 65, was a presenter on Play School for 14 years between 1985 and 1999.
However he may well be best know for playing Benito Alessi on soap opera Neighbours in the 90s, as well as appearing on All Saints and l Packed to the Rafters.
He is also a stage actor, currently touring Canada, Australia and the USA with the play The Last Confession.
Then: Noni Hazlehurst is a beloved Australian actress who presented on Play School between 1978 to 2001
Now: Recently, the 65-year-old starred in ABC TV comedy The Letdown in 2016 and new series The End in 2019, which she is currently appearing on
Noni Hazlehurst
Noni Hazlehurst, 65, is a beloved Australian actress who presented on Play School between 1978 to 2001.
She has had an incredible career in film, TV and recorded multiple albums, as well as being known for hosting Better Homes and Gardens between 1995 and 2005.
Recently, she starred in ABC TV comedy The Letdown in 2016 and new series The End in 2019, which she is currently appearing on.
Then: Jay Laga’aia is a New Zealand-born actor and presented who was on Play School between 2000-2014
Now: Jay, 56, has taken a crack at Hollywood, appearing in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in the 2000s
Jay Laga’aia
Jay Laga’aia, 56, is a New Zealand-born actor and presented who was on Play School between 2000-2014.
He has gone on to have a glittering career, starring on a number of TV shows such as Water Rats and Home And Away.
Jay has even taken a crack at Hollywood, appearing in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in the 2000s.
Recently, Jay appeared on reality show I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here! Australia and his own children’s show, Jay’s Jungle, until 2018.
Popular: After over 50 years on the air, ABC’s Play School is as popular as ever with children, with an estimated 80 percent of kids under six tuning in