Skippy tea set_resized.jpg

Blue plastic tea set with kangaroo motif in red cardboard box. 'Skippy Tea Set' logo on box.
https://nginx-develop-nfsa2.govcms7.amazee.io/sites/default/files/11-2018/771420_resized.jpg
Title:
Skippy tea set_resized.jpg
NFSA ID
771420
Year
1968
Access fees

Made by the TV program's production company Fauna Production Pty Ltd, this is the official children's tea set for Skippy, the Bush Kangaroo. Contained in its original manufacturer's box, packaging and wrapped in plastic, this particular set was never used.

The tea set is modelled to look like fine English china, it is made of pastel blue plastic. Each item in the set has a sticker on the front showing a stylised kangaroo and the logo of Skippy. The set consists of a tea pot with lid, milk jug, sugar bowl, four cups and saucers, four side plates and a full set of white plastic cutlery. The box is made from cardboard, red with white, covered in graphic artwork typical of the period depicting line drawings of Sonny and Skippy, Sonny's bicycle, the park vehicles, such as the helicopter, the Ranger's ute, a boat launch and a car. Text on the box reads; 'Skippy's very own tea set'. It also shows the Waratah National Park Wildlife Reserve logo of a flowering waratah. Other text on the box warns not to use with hot liquids, 'Keep away from heat'.

Loved by millions around the world, Skippy became the Australia  first international superstar and one of Australia most suspenseful TV series. 91 episodes were produced, first screening across Australia in black and white from 1968-1970, then again in colour from 1975.

This tea set would have been a prized gift in its day. Now it should be considered an object of significant high cultural and historical item as rarely did publicity promotional material get made of children's television programs. This should be considered one of the earliest examples, marking the success of Skippy the Bush Kangaroo as an iconic Australian television program.