Filmed in colour in the glorious bush surrounds of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Skippy (1966-69) showcased Australian flora and fauna to the world.

The most remarkable specimen of fauna was of course Skippy herself, and curator Tammy Burnstock highlights some of the kangaroo’s amazing talents. Watch Skippy – Long Way Home (1968) to see Skippy lock a gate, outwit the bad guys and escape an oncoming train!

In coming months, Tammy will be curating other much-loved children’s television, ranging from Mr Squiggle and Friends (1959–99) to Lockie Leonard (2007–current).

You can view other titles featuring anthropomorphism, kangaroos and “Australian fauna”:http://aso.gov.au/titles/tags/Australian%20fauna/. Be warned: if you thought the makers of Skippy came close to animal cruelty, don’t watch the roo hunt in Wake in Fright (1971) or the boxing kangaroos in The Trail of the Roo (1932) and Orphan of the Wilderness (1936).