Despite her legion of young fans and television royalty status, Benita insists she has “not the faintest idea” why Aussie kids adored her.
“Except that I was straightforward and encouraged participation in what we, the presenters, were doing. I talked to the camera as if it was a child – not children – one! And that’s how it worked.”
Noni agrees that a huge part of the success was that one unique element – the presenters speaking as if they are addressing a single child – and happily admits it helped make her a success when she moved on to host lifestyle show, Better Homes and Gardens.
Over the years, Play School occasionally came under attack from politicians, including an episode in 2004 that depicted a child with two mums.
Noni warns parents and policymakers to leave the beloved show alone to do what it does best: educate and entertain little Aussies.
“I think adults should stay out of it,” she says. “Play School is for preschool kids and they are very accepting.
“No child is born a bigot. No child is born a racist. No child is born with judgement inherent in their nature. They learn that, and Play School has always been at the forefront of just saying, ‘this is the situation,’ and a 3 or 4-year-old child will go, ‘OK.’”
Thanks to its educational values and penchant for moving with the times, Play School is the longest-running children’s show in Australia, having aired for 55 years. It’s also the second longest-running children’s show in the world, after British series Blue Peter. It was inducted into the TV Week Logies Hall of Fame on its 40th anniversary in 2006.
Even now, a whopping 80 per cent of preschool children under 6 watch it at least once a week. The show also inspired a slew of spin-offs, including Little Ted’s Big Adventure and Play School Story Time.
But Noni and Benita, who for many years presented with ‘naughty’ John Hamblin, remain the two most enduring, racking up half a century of presenting duties combined.
Noni adds: “It taught me so much and it put me in an incredible position of trust with audiences. The thing about Play School I love is don’t assume people have expensive toys. It’s always about making the best of what you’ve got.”
Read more in this week's New Idea, on sale now.