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National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Fredd Bear costume by Tedd Dunn

1969

Fredd Bear costume by Tedd Dunn

1969

  • NFSA ID172N6Y3C
  • TypeObjects
  • MediumDocumentation
  • FormCostume
  • GenresChildren
  • Year1969

Tedd Dunn designed and wore this 1969 Fredd Bear costume on the Breakfast-A-Go-Go show. Fredd predated Humphrey B Bear, which makes him the first children's TV bear in Australia, beginning his run on The Children’s Show, which became The Magic Circle Club (1965–67).

When the new Melbourne channel ATV0 was looking for ideas for a children’s show, station wardrobe manager Tedd Dunn created the Fredd Bear costume with a budget of just $200. Dunn ended up wearing the suit because only his towering frame could fill it.

While Tedd wore several Fredd Bear costumes over the years, the first iteration was made of fur and padding and didn't allow much air circulation. Delays at the 1965 Melbourne Moomba procession, where Dunn was scheduled to appear, meant he was in costume for more than two hours. He was close to blacking out but managed to stay conscious long enough to hand a bouquet to Prince Phillip at the end of the parade. Dunn needed several months to recover, and upon returning to TV, he redesigned the outfit to reduce heat and improve air circulation.

Courtesy of
Donated by ATV10

Tedd Dunn designed and wore this 1969 Fredd Bear costume on the Breakfast-A-Go-Go show. Fredd predated Humphrey B Bear, which makes him the first children's TV bear in Australia, beginning his run on The Children’s Show, which became The Magic Circle Club (1965–67).

When the new Melbourne channel ATV0 was looking for ideas for a children’s show, station wardrobe manager Tedd Dunn created the Fredd Bear costume with a budget of just $200. Dunn ended up wearing the suit because only his towering frame could fill it.

While Tedd wore several Fredd Bear costumes over the years, the first iteration was made of fur and padding and didn't allow much air circulation. Delays at the 1965 Melbourne Moomba procession, where Dunn was scheduled to appear, meant he was in costume for more than two hours. He was close to blacking out but managed to stay conscious long enough to hand a bouquet to Prince Phillip at the end of the parade. Dunn needed several months to recover, and upon returning to TV, he redesigned the outfit to reduce heat and improve air circulation.

Courtesy of
Donated by ATV10
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