Don Spencer OAM is a legendary figure in Australian entertainment, beloved for a career spanning more than six decades. A versatile singer-songwriter and presenter, he holds the unique distinction of being the only male host to front both the Australian (1968–1999) and British (1972–1988) versions of Play School.
Don on Play School:
In the music world, Spencer first made waves in the UK with the 1963 hit Fireball, the theme for the Gerry Anderson children’s sci-fi series Fireball XL5.
However, Don is most celebrated for his prolific contribution to children’s music. He has written more than 500 songs, including the iconic Feathers, Fur or Fins, which uses catchy melodies to educate children about Australian wildlife. His albums have achieved multiple gold and platinum awards.
Beyond the screen, Spencer is a dedicated philanthropist. In 2002, he founded the Australian Children’s Music Foundation (ACMF) to provide free music education to disadvantaged and Indigenous youth. More about this in the second video below.
Don’s impact has been widely recognised; he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2007 and, most recently, received the AIR Outstanding Achievement Award in 2024 for his enduring legacy in the industry.
On a personal note, Don is married to Julie and they live in Sydney. They have two children: Dean is a musician, while Danielle is an actress and singer, who was married to actor Russell Crowe from 2003 to 2018.
TWO MORE VIDEOS YOU SHOULD SEE…
Here is Don performing San Miguel on Bandstand, Nine Network, 1967, with his good friend Roger Whittaker:
This is a beautiful snapshot of Don and his work with the Australian Children’s Music Foundation, Nine Network, Jan 2026:
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