Young Talent Time fans, 1983

Young Talent Time fans are truly dedicated and this is a fine example of how the show consciously paid tribute to them and endeavoured to centre them in the show. 

It’s touching to see Tina Arena’s response to Dawn Miller’s biography of the Young Talent Time team.  

Australians watched ‘Tiny’ Tina grow up on the show. Now a global music superstar, she made her debut on the show’s talent quest segment singing the ABBA tune ‘Ring Ring’ in 1974 at the age of seven. She went on to join the cast in 1977 and became the longest serving cast member. This was filmed in 1983 when Tina was about to graduate from the show. 

In his oral history from 2008 John Young talks about the team’s conscious effort to create individual characters kids at home could identify with by including behind the scenes segments with the cast filmed at home with their families and at school. This is certainly an example of what a success this aspect of the show has been for fans. 

This is from episode 83/33 which was broadcast in August 1983.