Three new presenters join iconic Play School cast

Arguably one of the most beloved Play School presenters, Benita Collings was at the helm of the show for three decades (1969-1999). Before her retirement, she was one of the longest serving cast members of the show and has acted on other shows like A Country Practice and Homicide.

One of the most well-known and most loved presenters on the show, Noni Hazlehurst’s stint lasted for 23 years. In 2016, Noni was inducted into the Logie Hall of Fame, and has starred in the popular show, A Place to Call Home.

Star of stage and screen, Philip Quast, presented on the hit show from 1981-1996. He won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical and is best known for his portrayal as Javert in Les Misérables.

John Hamblin, enjoyed a 29-year stint on Play School. The cheeky brit was a favourite among kids and their parents, with the second-longest run on the show. In 2008 he wrote a memoir about his life.

The vivacious Monica Trapaga was a presenter on the long-running series from 1990 – 1998. After a string of self-titled albums, Monica wrote two recipe books, had a vintage shop called “Reclaim by Monica Trapaga” and a slew of TV hosting gigs, including Better Homes and Gardens. Monica is now a grandmother.

George Spartels was another fan favourite who presented from 1985 – 1999. George has previously said that he connected with his audience off camera, by imagining that his daughter’s friend (who was a toddler at the time) was standing in front of him.

More recently he played Carbo’s father on Packed to the Rafters and has been touring in a stage production of the “The Last Confession”.

Simon Burke was another staple on Play School who’s kind personality made him a hit with parents and kids alike. Simon was on Play School from 1998-2007 and has had a successful career in TV, most recently on Deep Water as Simon Mawbrey.

Don Spencer (pictured here with Angela Moore) was a Play School presenter from 1968 – 1999. In 2007 he was honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia for “for service to children’s music and television as a songwriter and performer, and through the establishment of the Australian Children’s Music Foundation”. His daughter Danielle Spencer was married to Russell Crowe.

Justine Clarke has been fortunate enough to have had a very successful career in kids TV. She is still a current presenter after starting in 1999, has her own TV show The Justine Clarke Show and has also starred in many successful films.

Angela Moore was a Play School presenter from 1994 – 2000. She is a children’s book author and regularly toured with her show Angela and Penny’s Holiday. She became a script writer for Play School and continues to write for the series today.

Popular Home and Away actress, Georgie Parker, was a Play School presenter from 2006-2012. The two-time Gold Logie winner also starred in All Saints and has had a successful career in TV since 1988.

British expat Trisha Goddard was part of the “hay-day” of Play School presenters from 1987-1998. After finishing with the show, she had her own talk-show Trisha, which ran from 1998 to 2010.

Colin Buchanan was another favourite in the earlier days of Play School. He presented on the show from 1993-1999. Colin has won nine Golden Guitar Country music awards and is a singer-songwriter.

Rhys Muldoon has been a presenter on Play School since 1999. The film, TV and theatre actor has had a successful career in shows like the Secret Life of Us and also The Genie from Down Under (a hit series from 1996-1998).

Karen Pang’s career on Play School started in 1998, and she is still going strong. She has had several roles on mini-series and TV including with ex co-host, Georgie Parker on Home and Away.

Deborah Mailman presented on Play School from 1998-2001, since then she’s had a successful career as an actress of the stage and screen, most recently in new Aussie TV series, Bite Club.

Jay Laga’aia is an Aussie/New Zealand presenter who started on the series in 2000. Currently still a cast member, he also had the privilege of singing the newest version of the popular theme song “There’s a Bear in There” (2011) with Justine Clarke. He now has eight children.

Hugh Sheridan, one of the few favourites who was seen on Play School in the latter part of the 00s, was on the hit kids show from 2009-2013. He enjoyed a main role on Packed to the Rafters and most recently as Nick on House Husbands.