Aussie vocalists Human Nature willing to do ‘anything’ for the kids in return to Telethon after two decades

Of the 56 years Telethon weekend has graced our State’s screens, Aussie singing exports Human Nature have been together for a remarkable 35 of them.

With a career underscored by performances at the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony and an 11-year residency in Las Vegas, founding members Phil Burton, Toby Allen and brothers Andrew and Mike Tierney are just as excited to make their return to the event’s stage almost two decades after their last appearance.

Dialling in from “Sin City” — his adopted home of 15 years — Allen, 51, said the group had little hesitation in coming together for the kids.

“Whenever we’re approached for something like Telethon, our first instinct is ‘Yes, of course we want to come’, then it’s figuring out the logistics of doing it,” he said.

“Anything that we can do to bring a bit of joy into people’s lives or help raise some money, we just jump at the chance.”

With Telethon headliners encouraged to approach the weekend with a can-do attitude — think painted-on abs, lip-sync dance routines and pies to the face — Allen said he’s prepared to say “yes” to almost everything.

“I’ll do anything within reason, I’m up for most things . . . you can always ask the question,” he joked.

But the performer won’t experience the gamut of Telethon emotions alone.

Just like this year’s crop of Little Telethon Stars, he knows life’s often more awesome in a foursome.

Youngsters Florence, Nate, Nazeem, and Charlee will be sure-fire hits come showtime, and with the vocalists having drawn on the power of four since their schooldays, they have forged their artistic pathway as a team.

“When we first got together as a group, we listened to The Four Tops and The Temptations, those Motown groups, and drew a lot of inspiration for more of our a cappella singing that we were doing when we first started,” Allen said.

Approaching the 20th anniversary of their much-loved Reach Out: The Motown Record, the group recently announced an Australian tour marked for autumn next year to commemorate the “biggest album” of their career.

And what better place to soft launch their set list than at Telethon weekend?

“You’ll be seeing us do a bit of Motown stuff in there, which we really love performing, and people love singing along with,” Sydney-based member Burton said.

Performing solo at the event in 2023, the TV personality is raring to share the stage with not only his US-based mates, but a line-up of Aussie music talents.

Off the back of last year’s Dancing With The Stars triumph, he’ll appear alongside this year’s runner-up in Perth-born singer Samantha Jade, and enduring Australian artists Guy Sebastian and Vanessa Amorosi.

But it’s more than just his contemporaries Burton is keen to reunite with.

“Basil (Zempilas) is always fun, and (newsreaders) Rick and Susannah (Ardon and Carr). They’re kind of like icons of WA,” he said.

“I think the mix at Telethon is what makes it so great.”

While his schedule will be left with little wriggle room, the singer reflected on past visits to WA, and where to find him should his itinerary open up.

“I was down in Mandurah for quite a while, it’s just lovely down there. It’s a really great place,” he said.

“But Perth itself, going out to Cottesloe for a swim, or up to Fraser’s at Kings Park for a really nice lunch, or anywhere around the city, jumping on a ferry out to Fremantle for the day. There are just so many really great spots in Perth, I really love it. “

Sharing Allen’s willingness to fully immerse in the experience, the popular figure is well aware of the stakes.

“I think that no one is precious about what they can’t do. If you get asked to do something, you just do it because it’s for a far greater cause than yourself,” he said.

In a weekend that draws on the power of the community to raise money for those who need it, the 50-year-old’s sentiment towards performing might just epitomise the spirit of Telethon.

“Things are great when you do them by yourself, but a very different experience when you have other people to share it with,” he said.