The Koala Brothers

The Koala Brothers is an animated children's television show that features the adventures of two brothers, Frank and Buster, as they seek to help their neighbors in a sleepy town in the Australian Outback. A notable quality of the series is that although there can be differences of opinion and occasional instances of antisocial or thoughtless behaviour, there are no villains or disagreeable characters. Rather, the emphasis is on helping and being a good friend.

In most English speaking countries the show is narrated by Jonathan Coleman.

1 Format
2 Characters
3 Voice cast
4 Home Video History
5 Television Airing
6 Award nominations
7 References
8 External links

Format

Broadcast episode formats vary slightly between countries, though the core material of each episode, featuring the brothers assisting one of their friends and overcoming a problem, such as jealousy, fear, or the failure to share, does not change. In Australia, the show runs in episodes of around 12 minutes (though these are broadcast in pairs on Nick Jr), with the opening song "Call The Koala Brothers" repeated in instrumental form over the credits. CBeebies eliminates the introduction and closing song to squeeze the program into a 10-minute format.

In the 30-minute broadcast version, the show opens with the theme song and then the narrator introduces Frank and Buster as they fly in their yellow two-seater propeller monoplane above the Outback. The supporting cast is introduced as the narrator asks "Who do you think the Koala Brothers are going to help today?" Each 30-minute episode ends with "The Helping Song", in which all the characters gather at the Koala Brothers' homestead and sing about always trying to help and caring for one another.

Characters

Frank the koala is the pilot of the plane. He has demonstrated excellent skills in tennis and was the only member of the community able to defeat Archie, though he admitted it was probably just luck. He also fostered an interest in pottery at one point but did not have any great artistic ability.

Buster the koala sits behind Frank in their plane and uses his telescope to spot friends in need from the air. He is always willing to provide a pep talk or a hug to his friends. He speaks more softly than Frank and has a small tuft of hair on the top of his head. Buster loves to bake, especially butter cookies.

Mitzi the possum lives in a room in the Koala brothers' homestead that is not directly connected to the rest of the house and is accessible only from outside. Mitzi has a nervous, excitable personality and can be controlling and bossy. She exerts a great deal of influence over Ned the Little Wombat and seems to fill the role of a big sister to Ned. She often needs the Koala Brothers' help in overcoming her dominant, perfectionist, controlling personality.

Ned the wombat is apparently the youngest member of the local community and lives in a caravan next door to the Koala Brothers' homestead. He is often unsure of himself, but he dreams of adventure as an explorer or a sea captain. He is very determined, and easily fixated on an idea.

George the turtle is the local mail carrier. He has no known residence but is always seen delivering the mail with his trusty leather satchel. He is very proud of being a mail carrier and tells the best campfire stories in the outback. He also has an interest in stamp collecting.

Sammy the echidna lives in town and owns the local general store, which sells fuel in addition to comestibles. His sole employee is Josie. He has the least amount of problems, after the Koala Brothers.

Josie the kangaroo works at the general store and is great friends with Mitzi.

Alice the platypus works at the local cafe and appears to be the sole employee, though it is not clear if she owns the cafe. She is very forgetful, to the point of having very severe short-term memory problems. She rides a green motor-scooter around, which has its share of drastic engine problems. She loves to bake and one of her few talents is following recipes, although she is also good at reading maps.

Archie the crocodile lives in a well-appointed cottage near the local watering hole. He is always exercising, stretching, or playing tennis, and is renowned at being the best at almost every sport. He is British, and has an upper-crust demeanor.

Penny the penguin is an explorer who lives in Antarctica, but has visited the outback on occasions and keeps up a regular written correspondence with the Koala Brothers. She doesn't talk, but she communicates by cooing like a baby.

Lolly the emu is the local ice cream vendor and can often be seen driving her ice cream truck around.

Voice cast

Frank, Sammy, and Archie - Keith Wickham
Buster, and George - Rob Rackstraw
Ned, and Josie - Janet James
Mitzi, Alice, and Lolly - Lucinda Cowden

Home Video History

DVDs Released in Canada & USA
- Meet The Koala Brothers!
- A Day In The Outback!
- We're Here To Help!
- Ned's Buried Treasure
- Mitzi's Big Adventure
- Outback Christmas (A feature length animated feature)

UK
- Momentum Pictures (2004–2005)
- Abbey Home Media (2006–present)

Television Airing

Country / Region	Channel	Title
India	Cartoon Network	The Koala Brothers
United Kingdom	CBeebies
United States	Disney Channel's Playhouse Disney Cancelled in September 2008,is returning in February 2012 to Disney Junior.
Australia	ABC for Kids (Cancelled in 2009)
Australia	Nick Jr. (Cancelled in 2009)
Canada	Knowledge
	SCN
	TVOntario
	Treehouse TV
Europe	Nick Jr.
Wales	Cyw	Y Brodyr Coala
Quebec	Télé-Québec	Les Frères Koala
France	Tiji
Ireland	RTE	The Koala Brothers
Portugal	Canal Panda	Os Irmãos Koala
Portugal	RTP 2	Os Irmãos Coala
Brazil	Discovery Kids (ended in 2008)	Os Irmãos Coala
Latin America	Discovery Kids (ended in 2008)	Los Hermanos Koala
Spain	TVE2	Los Hermanos Koala
Scotland	BBC Two Scotland	Na Braithrean Cuideachail
Scotland	BBC Alba	Na Braithrean Cuideachail
Poland	TVP	Bracia koala
	MiniMini
	CBeebies
Germany	Super RTL	Die Koala Brüder
	Fox Kids South Alaya (as part of Fox Kids Play)
	Qdual Bcdiediepr (Agolian) FRidhsui nsdnjdjwt (Tulish)

Award nominations

BAFTA Children's Awards 2006

Nominated for Best Animation (for the episode The Koala Brothers Outback Christmas)^[1]

References

^ "Past Winners and Nominees - Children's - Awards - 2006". BAFTA. http://www.bafta.org/awards/childrens/nominations/?year=2006. Retrieved 17 March 2010.