AustLit

Donald Richard Spencer, an Australian children's television presenter and musician, grew up in Tamworth, New South Wales. He left Australia at the age of seventeen and travelled to Africa before moving to London. Spencer became a well known singer and songwriter, supporting the Rolling Stones and other popular performers. For seven years he presented his own teenage pop show on British television, 'Gangway!' and co-hosted 'Pop-In'. Spencer also appeared in television comedies such as 'Let's Face It' with Ronnie Barker.

Spencer returned to Australia periodically to appear in television shows and dramas. He hosted Play School simultaneously in Australia and England for seventeen years and made several long running series for BBC Children's Television. He wrote and recorded dozens of children's albums and videos. In 2002 he founded the Australian Children's Music Foundation. Spencer was awarded a medal of the order of Australia (OAM) on Australia day, 26 January 2007 for service to children's music and television as a songwriter and performer.