The 2026 Nine Telethon supporting Mater Little Miracles is fast approaching, again helping to give our tiniest Queenslanders the best possible start to life, on Saturday, April 18, on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The broadcast will support Mater, Australia’s leader in neonatal critical care and maternal foetal medicine, by raising funds for essential, life-saving research, care, and equipment for seriously ill and premature babies and their mothers.
Kick-starting the fundraising, Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls today announced a commitment of $1,500,000 on behalf of the Queensland Government.
Mr Nicholls said: “The Nine Telethon in support of Mater Little Miracles is a powerful reminder of what Queenslanders can achieve when compassion and community come together to support families facing some of life’s most challenging moments.
“The Queensland Government is proud to be leading the way in this year’s Telethon, providing frontline clinicians and researchers with additional resources to deliver the best possible care for babies.
“Our partnership with Mater has always been grounded in a shared commitment, to give every Queensland baby the strongest possible start to life.
“This funding will help accelerate vital research and support the development of new treatments and technologies that will continue improving outcomes for the smallest and most vulnerable Queenslanders.”
More than 1,700 babies receive round-the-clock specialist care from the team in the Mater Mothers’ Neonatal Critical Care Unit (NCCU) every year. Amongst the little fighters in Mater’s NCCU are triplet brothers, Gianluca, Danilo and Massimo. At the launch event at Mater Mothers’ Hospital today, the Health Minister met the triplets and their parents Melinda and Gianfranco Lombardo-Vosolo in the NCCU.
Melinda delivered the triplets in an emergency c-section at the hospital in January, 10 weeks early. Her smallest boy, Gianluca, weighed just 956g at birth, while brother Danilo was only a little larger at 1.09kg, and Massimo weighed in at 1.517kg.
A team of around 20 Mater staff – including obstetricians, midwives and nurses – were involved in the triplets’ delivery. All of the babies received intensive around-the-clock medical care and breathing support in their first weeks of life in the NCCU.
“The first two weeks were gruelling for us, but the care we received from the whole team was sensational,” Melinda said.
“The boys’ health is looking good now and we can’t wait to get them home – but we’re a bit scared about how we are going to manage it all!”
Mater Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Thomas said: “Mater is incredibly grateful to the Queensland Government for its generous contribution to this year’s Nine Telethon supporting Mater Little Miracles.
“Every dollar we receive will make a difference to sick and premature babies and their families through improved care and groundbreaking medical research.
“Lives are saved and changed forever every day at Mater, which is why we’re excited to welcome Nine back into our hospitals for this year’s Telethon.
“It will be an emotional watch for viewers at home, but one which will both amaze and inspire Queenslanders.”
This year’s broadcast will again include the Nine Telethon Concert, featuring a special performance from Pub Choir. Created and hosted by the talented Astrid Jorgensen, Pub Choir transforms a crowd of strangers into a choir, belting out songs in three-part harmony, perfect for viewers watching at home to join in on the fun.
Managing Director of Nine Queensland Kylie Blucher, said: “The Nine Telethon is a powerful demonstration of the Queensland community coming together for an extraordinary cause. We are incredibly proud to partner with Mater Little Miracles once again, rallying behind our toughest and tiniest.
“The generosity, compassion and willingness to help families doing it tough is truly inspiring and what makes the Nine Telethon so special. Last year Queenslanders helped us to surpass our goal to raise over $10 million and we’re excited to see that same incredible spirit shine through again”.
Support Queensland’s littlest lives by making a donation at www.9telethon.com.au.
