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National Speak Like Yamba Day
by Julie McAllan 29 September 2013
W
ednesday 2nd October, marks the anniversary of an ANTastic day. It was eighteen years ago when the biggest honeyant in Australia walked onto the screens of homes in remote towns and communities in a children’s television show called Yamba’s Playtime. Yamba’s Playtime’s first episode was broadcast on the 2nd October 1995 and has been going from strength to strength ever since. In 1993, Imparja Television decided to create a station mascot and after a public competition, Yamba the Honeyant was born. Yamba’s television introduction occurred in 1994 with the development of the Catch a Dream
goodnight theme. The next step in Yamba’s life was to increase the television exposure. Within four weeks of receiving the brief, a program concept and format was created and Yamba’s Playtime debuted. Thousands of Yamba’s Playtime episodes have been produced since its first screening and although the original Yamba didn’t talk, the program’s P classification in 2009 brought in a new format and a Yamba who has a voice. Even the suit went into overhaul mode and is now more flexible and lightweight to accommodate all the dancing and singing. Since 2010, Yamba’s Playtime has not only been broadcast on Imparja Television, but nationwide on the Nine Network, GO and also NITV. It is due to the success of
Yamba’s Playtime that the crowds are so massive when Yamba and best friend Jacinta Price (pictured above) travel and perform their healthy living roadshow musical. And now that they are on the screens of televisions nationwide, invitations to perform are piling up from around the nation. So to celebrate Yamba’s Playtime’s 18th birthday and its success, Yamba and Jacinta want everyone to join in the fun and have a National Speak Like Yamba Day on Wednesday. It’s easy; make yourself some antennas to wear and have an ANTastic time at work with your colleagues or at home with the children talking Yamba talk and eating healthy food. It will be brilliANT, splodgeriffic and excellANT!
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