The Koala Brothers

The Koala Brothers
The logo for the series.
Genre	Preschool Animated series Educational Adventure
Created by	David Johnson
Voices of	Keith Wickham Rob Rackstraw Janet James Lucinda Cowden
Narrated by	Jonathan Coleman
Opening theme	"Call the Koala Brothers"
Ending theme	"Call the Koala Brothers"
Country of origin	Australia United Kingdom
No. of series	3
No. of episodes	79
Production
Running time	10 minutes
Production companies	Famous Flying Films Spellbound Entertainment
Distributor	Spellbound Entertainment
Release
Original network	CBeebies ABC Kids (Australia)
Original release	1 September 2003 (2003-09-01) – 31 October 2007 (2007-10-31)

The Koala Brothers is an Australian–British stop-motion animated children's television show that features the adventures of two koala brothers named Frank and Buster, as they seek to help their friends in a sleepy town in the Australian outback. Seventy-nine episodes were produced over three seasons.^[1]

A notable quality of the TV series is that although there can be differences of opinion and some instances of anti-social or unthoughtful behaviour, there are no villains or antagonistic characters. Rather, the emphasis is on helping and being a good friend. Originally aired on ABC Kids, the show later aired on CBeebies in the United Kingdom^[2] and Playhouse Disney in the United States, as well as different international stations.

Format[]

Broadcast episode formats vary slightly between countries, though the main material of each episode, featuring the koala 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' length, though these are broadcast in pairs on Playhouse Disney, 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 airplane 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 care for one another.

Inspiration[]

The series remarkably resembles in visual style and ethos a Children's Book and TV series proposal "The Great Wungle Bungle Aerial Expedition", featuring characters specifically dubbed "The Koala Brothers" and focusing on the adventures of altruistic animal outback aviator rescuers in homemade flying contraptions at a comical desert airstrip, rescuing others or helping out friends with no thought of personal reward. The book first appeared along with accompanying specially designed animatronic character props at the "FirstState88" NSW Govt exhibition in Darling Harbour in Sydney as part of the Australian Bicentenary in 1988. The original three "Koala Brothers" characters first appeared here as supporting characters.

In the 1990s, the book and exhibit's creator Greg McKee revised the concept as an animated TV series proposal called "Echidna Airways" which circulated at Cannes. Greg pitched the proposal to the producers of this series, who ultimately decided to develop their own version of the premise instead. The animation style itself is reminiscent of the popular children's series Bob the Builder with production credits evidently shared between the two.^[3][4] Archival footage of The Echidna Airways characters and flying machines is viewable here:^[5]

Characters[]

All the characters comprise of anthropomorphic native Australian animals mainly speaking with correct accents, with the notable exceptions of Archie the Crocodile, who speaks in a British accent and Penny the Penguin, who only communicates through penguin sounds.

Main[]

• Frank the Koala (voiced by Keith Wickham) – is the male pilot of the aeroplane. Frank has demonstrated excellent skills in tennis and was the only member of the community able to defeat Archie, though Frank admitted it was probably just luck. Frank also fostered an interest in pottery at one point but did not have any great artistic ability.

• Buster the Koala (voiced by Rob Rackstraw) – sits behind Frank in the aeroplane and uses his telescope to spot friends in need from the air. Buster is always willing to provide a pep talk or a hug to his friends. Buster 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.

Jonathan Coleman – is the Narrator.

Supporting[]

• Mitzi the Possum (voiced by Lucinda Cowden) – almost singularly wears flip flops exposing her toes along with thick-rimmed glasses. Mitzi lives in part of the Koala Brothers' homestead made over as her living quarters and is young and impressionable, often relying on the Koala Brothers to keep in line with her perfection-seeking tendencies. Mitzi can get bossy and upset her friends at times, but she means no harm and her friends always forgive her after she has owed them an apology. A recurring sight-gag shows Mitzi slipping out of either or both her flip flops due to being constantly on the go.
• Ned the Wombat (voiced by Janet James) – is apparently the youngest male member of the local community and lives in a caravan next door to the Koala Brothers' homestead. Ned is often not sure of himself, but dreams of adventure and longs to be a hero like his idols Frank and Buster. Ned is very determined and easily fixated on an idea, and often will come through with prompting.
• George the Turtle (voiced by Rob Rackstraw) – is the local mail carrier. George has no established residence but is always seen delivering the post with his trusty leather satchel. George is very proud of being a mail carrier and tells the best campfire stories in the outback. George also has an interest in stamp collecting.
• Sammy the Echidna (voiced by Rob Rackstraw) – lives in town and owns the local general store, which sells fuel in addition to comestibles. His only employee is Josie. As one of the more senior citizens, Sammy has the fewest problems after the Koala Brothers.
• Josie the Kangaroo (voiced by Janet James) – works at the general store with Sammy. Josie is shy, and wears a small red and white striped shirt that exposes her bright yellow tummy, a blue skirt with a deep pocket and shoes. She and Mitzi are the best of friends.
• Alice the Platypus (voiced by Lucinda Cowden) – works at the local café and appears to be the lone employee, though it is not clear if Alice owns the café. Alice is very forgetful. She rides a green motor scooter around, which has its share of drastic engine problems. Alice loves to bake and is good at following recipes. Alice is also good at reading maps.
• Archibald P. Crocodylus the Crocodile, or Archie (voiced by Keith Wickham) – lives in a well-appointed cottage near the local water hole. Archie is the life of the party who is always exercising, stretching, or playing tennis, and is renowned at being the best at almost every sport. Archie is British and speaks in a memorable rich accent.
• Penny the Penguin (vocal effects performed by Janet James) – is a female explorer who lives in Antarctica, but has visited the outback on certain occasions and keeps up a regular written correspondence with the Koala Brothers. Penny cannot at all talk, but communicates by chattering like a real penguin and takes part in singing "The Helping Song".
• Lolly the Emu (voiced by Lucinda Cowden) is the female local ice cream vendor and can often be seen driving her ice cream truck around the Outback. Lolly greets people by saying "How can I cool you down?"

Episodes[]

Series overview[]

Season		Episodes	Originally aired
			First aired	Last aired	Network
	1	26	September 1, 2003 (2003-09-01)	2004 (2004)	CBeebies ABC Kids (Australia)
	2	26	2004 (2004)	2005 (2005)
	3	27	2005 (2005)	October 31, 2007 (2007-10-31)

Series 1 (2003–04)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title
1	1	"Archie's New Home"
Archie the Crocodile moves into the old house by the outback's water hole, but nobody comes to his party.
2	2	"Sea Captain Ned"
Ned the Wombat finds an old rowing boat in the outback, and decides to become a sea captain.
3	3	"The Thirsty Penguin"
Frank and Buster meet a penguin backpacker named Penny, who has run out of water.
4	4	"A Letter for George"
Mitzi the Possum writes George the Turtle a letter, but George loses it somewhere on his rounds.
5	5	"Josie's Big Jump"
Josie the Kangaroo wants to learn how to jump rope, but thinks that her feet are too big. Frank realises that her skipping rope is not long enough.
6	6	"Alice Can't Remember"
Alice the Platypus has trouble remembering things, so Frank gives her a small recollected string.
7	7	"Ned's Scary Night"
Ned the Wombat finds it hard to sleep, because he is scared by the weird sounds he hears in the night.
8	8	"What Mitzi Wants"
Mitzi the Possum really wants a toy carousel in Sammy the Echidna's shop, but doesn't have enough money to buy it.
9	9	"Ned the Policeman"
Ned the Wombat finds a whistle by the side of the road, and decides to be a policeman.
10	10	"Sammy's Bumpy Ride"
Frank and Buster help Sammy the Echidna achieve his dream of riding on a train.
11	11	"Archie's Loose Tooth"
Archie the Crocodile is worried, because his head seems to be wobbling and starts to worry even more when he realises his tooth is the one that's wobbling and won't do things that he used to do. So Frank, Buster, Mitzi, and Ned try to help Archie stop worrying about it.
12	12	"Penny Comes to Stay"
Penny the Penguin comes to visit, but Buster struggles to entertain her.
13	13	"Lolly Comes to Town"
Lolly the Ostrich, the Ice Cream Vendor, gets into trouble when her van breaks down and her ice cream starts melting away.
14	14	"George and the Parcel"
It is George the Turtle's birthday and the Koala Brothers know just what to get him – a truck for packages.
15	15	"Mitzi's Day Out"
George the Turtle shows Mitzi a postcard of a sandy beach and Mitzi decides to go on a vacation.
16	16	"Sammy and the Moon"
Sammy the Echidna secretly dreams of being the first shopkeeper to walk on the moon.
17	17	"George's Day Off"
There's no post for George the Turtle to deliver, but George doesn't know how to spend his free time.
18	18	"Archie to the Rescue"
Archie the Crocodile becomes a superhero.
19	19	"Alice Rides Again"
Alice the Platypus gets hurt when she falls off her scooter, The Koala Brothers explain whatever will Alice do.
20	20	"Ned the Pilot"
Ned the Wombat wants to be a pilot just like his hero, Frank.
21	21	"Mitzi's Big Adventure"
Mitzi the Possum organizes a big adventure, but soon realises that being a leader is not at all easy.
22	22	"Ned's Special Visitor"
Ned the Wombat introduces a imaginary friend as he wants a visitor.
23	23	"Lolly's Broken Bell"
The bell on Lolly the Ostrich's ice cream van becomes completely busted, so no one in the outback knows that Lolly is around! Frank and Buster try their hardest to help her find a new sound.
24	24	"Ned Catches a Cold"
Ned the Wombat gets his first cold and is too ill to work.
25	25	"Josie Can Dance"
Everyone practices their acts for the outback talent show, but Josie the Kangaroo is frightened of dancing in public, but when Mitzi accidentally steps on Archie's ukulele, Josie must fill in for her.
26	26	"Penny Comes for Help"
The Koala Brothers get a letter from Penny the Penguin who wants to knit a sweater for Lolly the Ostrich for the cold outback mornings.

Series 2 (2004–05)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title
27	1	"Sammy and the Bee"
Sammy the Echidna loses one of his bees and Mitzi is puzzled, as she thinks all bees are the same.
28	2	"Alice Gets the Hiccups"
Alice the Platypus can't cure her hiccups.
29	3	"Lolly's Long Goodbye"
Lolly the Ostrich loves her job delivering ice cream, but it's hard to say goodbye when Lolly is about to move away.
30	4	"Ned's Buried Treasure"
Ned the Wombat decides to bury some treasure, but neglects to draw a map and needs help to find it.
31	5	"Mitzi's Special Photos"
Sammy the Echidna suggests that Mitzi has an exhibition of her photos, so Mitzi sets out to take some actual special ones.
32	6	"George's Big Mistake"
George the Turtle spills tea inside his satchel and makes the addresses on his letters unreadable.
33	7	"Ned the Knight"
Ned the Wombat decides to become a knight.
34	8	"Archie Goes Camping"
Archie the Crocodile wants to be on his own and decides to go camping.
35	9	"Plane Crazy Ned"
Aunt Mavis gives Ned the Wombat a remote-controlled plane.
36	10	"George's Big Race"
George the Turtle is persuaded by Mitzi to run a race with Archie the Crocodile, who feels sure he will win.
37	11	"Sammy's Bad Day"
Sammy the Echidna has a bad day, but the Koala Brothers help him get over it.
38	12	"George's Little Plant"
Postman George the Turtle loves to chat to a little plant by the roadside, but the plant is wilting.
39	13	"Archie Tennis Ace"
Archie the Crocodile is so good at sport that he wins every game, and demands to play on until Archie is defeated.
40	14	"Josie's Little Accident"
Josie the Kangaroo breaks Sammy the Echidna's favorite coffee cup, owns up, and creates a wonderful new one for him.
41	15	"Penny's Big Game"
Penny the Penguin is excited on the day of the outback croquet match.
42	16	"Mitzi's Busy Day"
The Koalas are having a tea party, and Mitzi makes rash promises about how she can help.
43	17	"George Goes Faster"
George the Turtle wants to be a faster postman, and tries everything, but nothing works until Buster suggests George use a skateboard.
44	18	"Ned Finds His Whistle"
Ned the Wombat feels left out as he can't whistle, so Frank gets everyone to make another sound.
45	19	"Josie's New Tune"
Josie the Kangaroo gets a tuba and realises that practice makes perfect.
46	20	"Sammy's Cuckoo Clock"
Sammy the Echidna realises just how much he relies on his cuckoo clock.
47	21	"Archie Doesn't Listen"
Archie the Crocodile's friends discover that Archie isn't the best listener.
48	22	"Josie in Charge"
Josie the Kangaroo is in charge of the shop while Sammy takes a vacation.
49	23	"Penny's Birthday Surprise"
It's Penny the Penguin's birthday and her friends have the perfect surprise.
50	24	"George's Broken Satchel"
George the Turtle is losing his letters and someone else is delivering them.
51	25	"Lolly's New Flavor"
Lolly the Ostrich has made a new spinach ice cream for the townsfolk, but Ned tells her that no one is going to like it.
52	26	"Alice Gets Lost"
The Koala Brothers invite Alice the Platypus to a picnic, but Alice gets lost.

Series 3 (2005–07)[]

No. overall	No. in season	Title
53	1	"Outback Christmas"
Frank and Buster invite everyone to spend a holiday with them at the Homestead, but they are devastated when they discover that Penny the Little Penguin has hurt her wing and unable to join them.
54	2	"George the Sportsman"
George the Turtle doesn't want to take part in a sports day because he thinks he is no good at anything apart from being a postman.
55	3	"Ned's Shiny Balloon"
Ned the Wombat doesn't want to share the cute balloon he's found tied to his caravan.
56	4	"Mitzi's Special Present"
Mitzi the Possum wants her friend Josie the Kangaroo to have the best birthday ever.
57	5	"Ned and the Wagaloo"
Ned the Wombat sets off to find a legendary creature, but forgets to tell his friends where he's going.
58	6	"Sammy's Spoons"
Mitzi the Possum offends Sammy the Echidna when Mitzi says that the spoons are not actually musical instruments.
59	7	"Josie's Knotty Problem"
Josie the Kangaroo's shoelaces keep coming undone and Josie cannot tie them up.
60	8	"Alice the Poet"
Alice the Platypus receives a letter telling her that she has won a poetry competition.
61	9	"Archie's Giant Pumpkin"
Archie the Crocodile tells them about a giant pumpkin that he's growing in his garden, but Archie exaggerates its size.
62	10	"Penny's Boomerang"
On her flight to the homestead, Penny the Penguin's boomerang falls out of the airplane.
63	11	"Mitzi's Funny Honey"
Mitzi the Possum discovers everyone laughing at Buster's jokes and decides to also be funny, so Mitzi pulls a practical joke on people, but manages to make them grumpy in the process.
64	12	"Ned Goes Red"
It is a very hot day in the Outback, but Ned the Wombat forgets about sun cream and gets sunburned.
65	13	"Lolly and the Go-Kart"
Lolly the Ostrich finds everyone making a go-kart, but everyone says Lolly's too big and clumsy to join in.
66	14	"Ned's Shooting Star"
Ned the Wombat sees a shooting star land in the outback, but doubts himself when no one believes him.
67	15	"Sammy the Postman"
When George the Turtle sprains his ankle, Sammy the Echidna readily offers to swap jobs.
68	16	"George the Magician"
When Buster asks George the Turtle to put on a magic show, George tries to get out of it.
69	17	"Archie's Fall"
When Archie the Crocodile has a fall before the tennis tournament, Archie decides not to tell anyone.
70	18	"Mitzi the Artist"
Mitzi the Possum paints a picture of George the Turtle that looks just like him, but none of her other pictures turn out right.
71	19	"George's World"
George the Turtle seems to know lots about different countries, but it transpires that his knowledge is limited to what appears on stamps.
72	20	"Lolly's Puppet Show"
Lolly the Ostrich loses her voice on the day of the annual puppet show.
73	21	"Ned's Missing Teddy"
Ned the Wombat takes Teddy on an outback adventure and realises Teddy isn't with him when Ned gets home.
74	22	"Mitzi the Flying Nurse"
Mitzi the Possum uses her nursing skills to tend to some wilting plants.
75	23	"Alice Makes a Movie"
Alice the Platypus decides to make a film about her friends, but Alice's forgotten to put film in the camera.
76	24	"George's Busy Day"
George the Turtle has so much post to deliver that George gets in a bit of a flap.
77	25	"Alice's Night Mystery"
Someone has made a mess of Alice the Platypus's kitchen and Alice decides to see if the Koala Brothers can solve the mystery.
78	26	"Mitzi's Hide and Seek"
Alice the Platypus, Mitzi the Possum, and Josie the Kangaroo are playing hide and seek.
79	27	"Ned Writes A Letter"
Ned the Wombat writes a letter to his favorite aunt with news of all the things Ned's been up to – but can't decide which things to include.

Home video history[]

Award nominations[]

• BAFTA Children's Awards 2006
  • Nominated for Best Animation (for the episode The Koala Brothers Outback Christmas)^[6]

References[]

External links[]

• The Koala Brothers at BBC Online
• The Koala Brothers at IMDb
• vimeo