Sunday 5 February 2017

The Alphabet Club_Saturday Detention for S


IS FOR SKIPPY,

 THE BUSH KANGAROO

"Skippy the Bush Kangaroo (known commonly as Skippy) is an Australian television series created by Australian actor John McCallum, produced from 1967–1969 (airing from 1968–1970) about the adventures of a young boy and his intelligent pet kangaroo, and the various visitors to the fictional Waratah National Park in Duffys Forest, near Sydney.
The show's star was Skippy, a wild female eastern grey kangaroo befriended by Sonny Hammond, younger son of the Head Ranger of Waratah National Park. The stories revolved around events in the park, including its animals, the dangers arising from natural hazards, and the actions of visitors. 
The series was shot in northern Sydney at the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and the adjacent Waratah Park (now known as Waratah Park Earth Sanctuary). Permission to film and build structures in the park was given by the then NSW Minister for Lands, Tom Lewis, before shooting of the series began in 1967, to showcase the new NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service government department he had just established.

The clicking sounds made by Skippy are vocal sound effects, rather than the natural vocalisations of a kangaroo, with chocolate, chewing gum or grass and in some cases, an elastic band around the lower jaw, used to make Skippy move her mouth. Between nine and fifteen kangaroos were used for each show. The apparent manual dexterity was often achieved by using separate arms in the hands of human operators."
 [As a child I did always wonder how Skippy managed to be so clever, now I know - lol!]

SOURCE: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skippy_the_Bush_Kangaroo

Nearly any Aussie child of the 1960s would remember the beloved Skippy, and if you just mention his name they will instantly sing you the theme song as per the video ....

Aaah!  The memories!

hugs, 

14 comments:

Bea said...

Okay, never heard of Skippy, but it sounds like a great show for kids.

Margaret said...

Very fun! Love learning about the cultural history of Australia!

Ariadne said...

Oh what you reminded me of!I was a kid when I was watching Skippy and I instantly remembered the song when I read the title of your blog post!I loved Skippy!As well as Lassie!AriadnefromGreece!

Tiffstitch said...

Great post and good memories!

Stitching Noni said...

Oh dear Skippy, I remember well! :o)

Kay said...

I grew up with Skippy too, although in England. x

Barb said...

I had not heard of Skippy but enjoyed learning about him.

FlashinScissors said...

Yes, I remember Skippy too! I think my younger brothers and sisters used to watch it ..... in England! If anyone mentions the name "Skippy" the tune always comes to my mind! Happy memories!
Barbara x

FlashinScissors said...

Oops, that should have been sister (there's only one).

jocondine said...

Skippy was very popular in France too, I remember waiting for new episode on TV in my childhood. xxx

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

What's that Skippy? The kids are trapped down the old abandoned mine shaft?

Julie said...

Loved that bush kangaroo when I was a child and wanted to move to Australia so I could have one as a pet!

Brigitte said...

I can't remember having seen this TV show but maybe it didn't air in Germany back then. And in the 60s only my grandmother had a TV and I remember siting on grandma's couch watching Lassie.
A great S post, Kaye.

Heather said...

Sounds fun lol I've never heard of skippy

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