Freddo The Frog

1 9 6 2 (Australia)
52 x 5 minute episodes

Australia’s first television cartoon series featured Freddo (a frog) and his pals Kanga (a kangaroo) and Wocka (a wombat) and was set in the fictional town of Croaker’s Creek.

The characters were the creation of Australian artist Gus McLaren who also created Freddo’s two human enemies, Flash Jack (a crafty, evil character) and Drongo (his square-headed, dull-witted colleague).

Other characters included Percy Platypus, the mayor of Croaker’s Creek, and Professor Nutbean.

The characters were voiced by radio announcer Kevin O’Gorman (Freddo), actor Don Crosby (Kanga), GTV personality Frank Rich (Wocka and Flash Jack), radio announcer Bill Ackfield (Drongo) and singer Jim Berinson (Percy Platypus and Professor Nutbean).

The series was produced by Fanfare Films and aired on Channel Nine as part of The Tarax Show, debuting in June 1962.

The series was sponsored by confectioners MacRobertson Pty Ltd who made little chocolate sweets called “Freddo Frog”.

Freddo the Frog (voice)
Kevin O’Gorman
Kanga (voice)
Don Crosby
Wocka/Flash Jack (voice)
Frank Rich
Drongo (voice)
Bill Ackfield
Percy Platypus/Professor Nutbean (voice)
Jim Berinson