Hi-5 (Australian group)

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Template:For Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Australian English Template:Infobox musical artist

Hi-5 were an Australian children's musical group formed in 1998 in association with the children's television series of the same name. Helena Harris and Posie Graeme-Evans created the television series for the Nine Network, which premiered in 1999. The group were made up of five performers who entertained and educated preschool children through music, movement, and play. Kellie Crawford, Kathleen de Leon Jones, Nathan Foley, Tim Harding and Charli Robinson were the founding members. By the end of 2008, all of the original line-up had left, and the group's membership changed several more times after that. They collectively starred in several television series, released albums, and performed on worldwide tours. The television series features puppet characters Chatterbox and Jup Jup, who were included in the group's live stage shows.

Hi-5 were one of Australia's highest paid entertainment groups, placing in the Business Review WeeklyTemplate:'s annual list several times, earning an estimated A$18 million in 2007. As employees of the brand, once owned by the Nine Network, the members of Hi-5 did not hold equity. The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) certified their albums as double platinum (It's a Party), platinum (Jump and Jive with Hi-5, Boom Boom Beat, It's a Hi-5 Christmas) and gold (Celebrate). Four of them reached the top 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart; It's a Party (number four, July 2000), Boom Boom Beat (number three, August 2001), It's a Hi-5 Christmas (number four, December 2001) and Hi-5 Hits (number ten, July 2003). By 2004, the original line-up had received three Logie Television Awards for Most Outstanding Children's Program and five consecutive ARIA Music Awards for Best Children's Album.

The group's later iterations did not enjoy the same popularity or critical success as its original line-up. Hi-5 were last nominated for a major Australian award in 2012 and last released an album in 2014. The Nine Network sold the brand in 2012 to Malaysian-based group Asiasons, who shifted its commercial focus to the Southeast Asian market. After a short-lived television revival in 2017, the group's production company wholly relocated to Singapore and began employing a roster of temporary performers for touring purposes until 2019.

History

1998–1999: Formation

Hi-5 were formed in September 1998 in Sydney, Australia, as a children's musical group.<ref name="launched1998">Template:Cite press release</ref><ref name="1999MorningHerald">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Television producer Helena Harris, who had worked on Bananas in Pyjamas, co-created Hi-5 as a concept for a new television show of the same name for the Nine Network.<ref name="1999MorningHerald"/><ref name="bananasandspicegirls">Template:Cite news</ref> She and co-producer Posie Graeme-Evans developed the series as preschool entertainment, blending educational theories with a musical appeal to capture children's attention.Template:Sfn<ref name="aboutarchive">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The name of the series and featured group was derived from the high five gesture.<ref name="youtube1">Template:Cite AV media</ref> Harris said that while Hi-5 was predominantly a television series, its music was able to be differentiated from the show.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> Featuring five performers, the cast were intended to act as the audience's older siblings or friends, rather than adults teaching children.Template:Sfn<ref name="superdudes">Template:Cite news</ref> Harris was inspired to develop a show with broad appeal and accessible themes such as family and animals.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Note: Article is published across two pages.</ref> She modelled the group's style on the fast-paced nature of contemporary music videos and strove to allude to items of current interest (such as relevant curriculum as well as popular jokes, films and music) to keep children engaged.Template:Sfn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Harris recalled watching the Spice Girls, whose dance moves she believed preschoolers could copy.<ref name="bananasandspicegirls"/><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref> The creators saw the need for "life-affirming" television for rapidly maturing preschoolers and found most children learn from programs which use music and movement.Template:Sfn

After auditions for the group in June 1998 (narrowing down around 300 people to only five),<ref name="aboutarchive" /><ref name="theage2005">Template:Cite news</ref> the television pilot for Hi-5 was produced in mid-1998.<ref name="posiearchive">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The original cast consisted of Kellie Crawford (née Hoggart), Kathleen de Leon Jones, Nathan Foley, Tim Harding and Charli Robinson.<ref name="1999MorningHerald"/> After being commissioned, production began in October 1998.<ref name="posiearchive"/> The first series premiered in April 1999 on the Nine Network.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="PremiereDate">Template:Cite news</ref> In September, Sony Music released their debut album, Jump and Jive with Hi-5, which reached number 33 on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Albums Chart.<ref name="jumpjive">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="aus charts">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2000–2006: Early success

A distant stage shot of a female performer wearing bright clothes and singing into a headset microphone. A jack-in-the-box style puppet sits behind her on a movable section, which is brightly coloured.
Kellie Crawford and puppet character Chatterbox, January 2006

Hi-5 won the 2000 Logie Award for Most Outstanding Children's Program in recognition of their television program, and the ARIA Award for Best Children's Album for Jump and Jive with Hi-5.<ref name="logies2000">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="arias2000">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Their releases consistently received album accreditations; Celebrate was certified as gold, while Jump and Jive with Hi-5, Boom Boom Beat and It's a Hi-5 Christmas went platinum, and It's a Party received double platinum status.<ref name="accreditations2000">Template:Cite certification</ref><ref name="accreditations2001">Template:Cite certification</ref><ref name="aria cert 2002">Template:Cite certification</ref> Four of their albums reached the top 10 on the ARIA Albums Chart; It's a Party (number four, July 2000), Boom Boom Beat (number three, August 2001), It's a Hi-5 Christmas (number four, December 2001) and Hi-5 Hits (number ten, July 2003).<ref name="aus charts"/> It was reported in 2005 that a feature film starring the group was in early development, as well as arrangements for a single release.<ref name="hindi">Template:Cite news</ref>

Hi-5 toured nationally for up to eight months of every year, with sell-out concerts in venues such as the Sydney Opera House.Template:Sfn<ref name="scoop.co.nz">Template:Cite press release</ref><ref name="hittown">Template:Cite news</ref> The quintet's production of Hi-5 Alive won the 2002 Helpmann Award for Best Presentation for Children, while their Space Magic production was nominated in the same category in 2006.<ref name="helpmann2002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="helpmann2006">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The group first toured the UK in 2004,<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> and in 2005 performed in arenas around Australia to maximise the audience capacity.<ref name="theage2005"/> In addition to their regular tours, Hi-5 appeared annually at Vision Australia's Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne, broadcast live by the Nine Network on Christmas Eve.<ref name="carols">Template:Cite news</ref>

2006–2008: Replacement of original members

An upper body shot of a 27-year-old man. He is standing with his hands tucked into his pants' pockets and smiling. Behind him are hoarding signs with names of commercial sponsors.
Stevie Nicholson, Surry Hills, November 2011

In early 2006, de Leon Jones announced she was pregnant, and would take maternity leave from April onwards.<ref name="kathleendeparture">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="itsagirl">Template:Cite news</ref> Sun Park was introduced as her temporary replacement; de Leon Jones gave birth to her first child in July.<ref name="kathleendeparture"/><ref name="itsagirl"/> Park was part of the television series filming in 2006 and toured with the group across Australia.<ref name="actionheroes">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In July 2006, de Leon Jones said she was intent on returning to Hi-5;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> however, in July 2007, made the decision to leave the group permanently to focus on being a mother.<ref name="beingmum"/> Park took her place as a full-time member.<ref name="beingmum">Template:Cite news</ref>

A serious motorcycle accident in June 2007 left Harding unable to keep up with the pace of Hi-5's performances.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="routines">Template:Cite news</ref> Just a few days before this, Stevie Nicholson had been hired as an understudy and was put straight to work as a temporary replacement for Harding.<ref name="routines"/><ref name="stevieintro">Template:Cite news</ref> The group toured the Hi-5 Circus Stageshow in 2007; the show adopted a circus theme and incorporated tricks such as trapeze, tightrope walking, and gymnastics.<ref name="circusstageshow"/> They had only one week of training; some members benefitted from prior experience.<ref name="circusstageshow"/> Nicholson debuted on tour with the Circus show in Singapore.<ref name="circusstageshow">Template:Cite news</ref> Harding permanently departed in November after recovering from his injuries and was replaced by Nicholson.<ref name="routines"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="wavesabc">Template:Cite news</ref>

Robinson (then referred to as Delaney) exited from the group in February 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She expressed an interest in proving herself as an actor for an adult audience and said she would help find a replacement member.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After leaving, she established a career in the Australian media industry as a presenter.<ref name="bitter"/> In April, Casey Burgess was revealed as Robinson's replacement and began touring with the group.<ref name="tour08">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="partystreet">Template:Cite news</ref>

In March 2008, the Nine Network, along with production company Southern Star, purchased the Hi-5 brand.<ref name="direction"/> The change of ownership saw Harris and Graeme-Evans end their involvement with the franchise, which was placed under the direction of Martin Hersov and Cathy Payne, Nine and Southern Star executives.<ref name="direction"/><ref name="nathandirectors"/>

By November 2008, the remaining original cast members had stated their intent to withdraw from the group. Crawford reported in October that she would be leaving at the end of the year to explore other options, and a month later, Foley outlined his plan to exit and focus on his adult music career.<ref name="nathandirectors">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="kellie">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="nathan2">Template:Cite news</ref> In December, Park also stated she would be departing the group since she had expected only to be a temporary replacement.<ref name="sun">Template:Cite news</ref> The Daily TelegraphTemplate:'s Sydney Confidential reporter alleged that Hi-5's production company had asked Crawford and Foley to leave, and that the producers were "opting to recruit younger, cheaper performers".<ref name="bitter">Template:Cite news</ref> Neither of them responded to these reports, but Park denied the industry rumours, saying that there had been no pressure for any of them to resign.<ref name="bitter"/><ref name="sun"/> The departing members gave their final performance at Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve in Melbourne.<ref name="sun"/>

2009–2013: Second generation

Full body shot of two smiling women. Woman at left is taller and has her right hand at her hip. The other woman has her arm around the back of the first. They stand in front of hoarding signs.
Lauren Brant and Dayen Zheng, The Ivy Ballroom, Sydney, November 2012

In February 2009, Lauren Brant, Fely Irvine, and Tim Maddren joined Nicholson and Burgess to complete the group's new line-up.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Burgess described the change as a difficult transition period that led to uncertainty over their future.<ref name="surprise">Template:Cite news</ref> They toured regional Australian locations in early 2010 to build a new audience.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The group celebrated the 500th episode of the television series in 2010,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and in 2011, they rerecorded several of the original line-up's songs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They did not receive the same positive critical reception as the original members; one reviewer found fault with the new line-up's vocal abilities.<ref name="offkeyact"/> The group joined World Vision Australia as ambassadors in 2009, beginning their work in the Philippines while on a promotional tour, and completing a volunteer trip to Cambodia in 2012.<ref name="worldvisionaus">Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They also became representatives of the Starlight Children's Foundation in 2009; their work included regular visits to hospitals while on tour.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Irvine's final performance as part of Hi-5 was at Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve 2011.<ref name="fely"/> Nine Network representatives said she would leave to explore "other career options".<ref name="fely">Template:Cite news</ref> Her replacement, Dayen Zheng, joined the group in January 2012.<ref name="fely"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Burgess and Maddren departed in early 2013; Maddren had secured a role in the Australian musical production of The Addams Family, while Burgess had decided to further her solo music career.<ref name="addamsf">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Hoyts"/>

In June 2012, the Nine Network announced that because of their ongoing financial difficulties, they had sold the Hi-5 brand in its entirety to Malaysian-based equity group, Asiasons.<ref name="smartcompany1"/><ref name="onscreenasia1"/><ref name="autogenerated5">Template:Cite news</ref> Datuk Jared Lim, Asiasons's managing director, described plans to expand Hi-5 throughout Southeast Asia, while keeping the group's presence in Australia intact.<ref name="smartcompany1">Template:Cite news</ref> Julie Greene, former producer of the television series, assumed the role of executive creative director.<ref name="onscreenasia1"/>

2013–2016: Third generation, shift to Southeast Asia

New members Mary Lascaris and Ainsley Melham joined Nicholson, Brant, and Zheng in early 2013.<ref name="McCabe Mar03"/> The audition process was filmed and turned into a documentary-style film, Some Kind of Wonderful, which premiered exclusively through Hoyts Cinemas in Australia in March.<ref name="McCabe Mar03"/><ref name="Hoyts">Template:Cite news</ref> The press branded this line-up as a "new generation" of the group.<ref name="McCabe Mar03">Template:Cite news Note: McCabe describes this line-up as the "fourth generation".</ref>

Throughout this period, the production company shifted the commercial focus of the group to the Southeast Asian market, with an increase in Asian touring locations. In 2014, the group debuted in the Middle East with a Dubai show and toured Bangkok for the first time in ten years.<ref name="milestones">Template:Cite press release</ref> They returned to the Philippines in 2015 for an encore season after a sold-out run of concerts the previous year.<ref name="milestones"/> A new television series entitled Hi-5 House was filmed in Singapore and Malaysia between 2013 and 2015, and aired on pay-TV channel Nick Jr. in Australia and Disney Junior in Asia;<ref>

Brant's final performances were in July 2014 for the Australian House Hits tour, in which the cast wore costumes she designed under her new fashion label, Loliboli.<ref name="Pierce Jun14">Template:Cite news</ref> Her successor, Tanika Anderson, was already working with the group as an understudy and puppeteer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="dreamjob">Template:Cite news</ref> Nicholson departed in December 2015 to further his performing career and promote his children's book, Superdudes.<ref name="superdudes"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was replaced by Lachie Dearing, who was introduced on tour in January 2016.<ref name="recruit">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After being cast in an Australian musical production of Xanadu in January 2016, Melham left the group, and new member Gabe Brown took his place in February.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="songfest">Template:Cite news</ref> Brown was later succeeded by Chris White.<ref name="chriswhite">Template:Cite news</ref>

2016–2019: Fourth generation, short-lived television revival

The Nine Network renewed its partnership with the Hi-5 franchise in October 2016 and expressed plans to revive the original television series with a new cast in 2017.<ref name="revival">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="returntonine">Template:Cite press release</ref> As a result, Zheng, Lascaris, Anderson and White gave their last performances in December 2016.<ref name="endof2016">Template:Cite tweet</ref> After auditions were held in November 2016, new members Courtney Clarke, Shay Clifford, Joe Kalou and Bailey Spalding were revealed in December, joining Dearing to form the fourth generation of the group.<ref name="9honey">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="fourthgen">Template:Cite news</ref> The quintet debuted at Carols by Candlelight on Christmas Eve, Hi-5's first appearance at the Nine event since 2012.<ref name="kidsonblock">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="newlook">Template:Cite news</ref> The new television series was filmed in Malaysia and premiered in May 2017 on Nine's multichannel, 9Go! in Australia.<ref name="series17">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="ausproductionclosed"/> Additional filming in 2018 was halted before the Australian production office was closed and the brand was relocated to Singapore.<ref name="ausproductionclosed">Template:Cite news</ref> All five members departed the group, and the brand used temporary touring members for the remainder of 2018.<ref name="lachiedeparture">Template:Cite news</ref> The franchise continued employing non-permanent performers for touring purposes in 2019.<ref name="2019tempmembers">Template:Cite news Note: Jarrod Barke, Jacqui Bramwell and Dani Mirels were temporary touring members.</ref>

Musical style

Hi-5 were described as "a pop group for kids" by Foley in 2004.<ref name="scotsman1">Template:Cite news</ref> Chris Harriott was the group's primary composer, writing thousands of their tracks.<ref name="newsunlight">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="abcmusic"/> Graeme-Evans and Harriott had worked together when he scored the themes for the teen dramas series, The Miraculous Mellops (1991) and Mirror, Mirror (1995),<ref name="Mirac">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Mirro">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and he had worked on his own in Australian theatre.<ref name="abcmusic"/> The creators approached him and tasked him with writing top ten songs for an age range of two to six.<ref name="abcmusic">Template:Cite news</ref> Harriott worked regularly with a group of lyricists, including Chris Phillips, Leone Carey and Lisa Hoppe.<ref name="australiantelevision2002" /><ref name="making music" /> Foley cited the Wiggles as an influence of Hi-5, but noted the respective groups had different musical styles, with Harriott's compositions resembling top 40 rather than nursery rhymes.<ref name="news1">Template:Cite news</ref> Original member of the Wiggles and classical musician Phillip Wilcher commended the gentle educational appeal of Hi-5's music, and declared that they seemed to "know the subtle difference between childlike and childish."<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref>

Educational value

Template:Quote boxHi-5, and the related television series, blended educational aspects with music and movement, while regularly updating the music and costumes to remain "abreast of the times".Template:Sfn<ref name="aboutarchive"/><ref name="theage2005"/> The members were presented as older siblings or friends to their young audience, rather than appearing as adults teaching them.Template:Sfn<ref name="superdudes"/><ref name="hittown"/> The series' creators loosely based it on an underlying educational structure influenced by Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences.Template:Sfn<ref name="hi-5world1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The producers recognised that most children have a preferred style of learning, and structured the group's work to have each member modelling skills in a specific area such as kinesthetic learning and musicality.<ref name="aboutarchive"/>Template:Sfn Harris observed most children would identify with the presenter who demonstrated their favoured learning style.<ref name="superdudes"/>Template:Sfn According to the group's website, Hi-5 incorporated Piaget's theory of cognitive development.<ref name="hi-5world1" /> The educational theory caters to a wide range of ages in the audience while being aimed primarily at children aged two to eight.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/><ref name="tour08"/> Harris intended for the central themes promoted to be universally accessible, as she believed children are essentially the same around the world.<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> The pace and design of the group's performances were influenced by that of contemporary music videos.Template:Sfn They encouraged participation at their live stage shows through interactive elements with which the children engage.<ref name="scoop.co.nz"/> Group members expressed that performances were adapted to include more songs and physical elements in countries where English is not the main spoken language.<ref name="stuff1">Template:Cite news</ref>

Brand and finances

Hi-5 brand creators, Harris and Graeme-Evans, originally owned it under their joint production company Kids Like Us.<ref name="direction"/> In contrast to their peer entertainers, the Wiggles, the cast of Hi-5 did not hold equity, but were employees of the brand.<ref name="sun"/><ref name="beans">Template:Cite news</ref> Crawford noted, "the money system has to go a long way around before it gets to us".<ref name="beans"/> In March 2008, the Nine Network and production company Southern Star purchased the Hi-5 brand.<ref name="direction">Template:Cite news</ref> The franchise was placed under the direction of Martin Hersov and Cathy Payne, Nine and Southern Star executives, while Harris and Graeme-Evans ended their involvement with the company with the sale.<ref name="direction"/><ref name="nathandirectors"/>Template:Refn

Template:Sister project

The brand dropped from a net worth of A$18 million in 2009 to A$9.7 million in 2010.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In June 2012, the Nine Network sold the Hi-5 brand to Asian equity group, Asiasons, through a private fund.<ref name="smartcompany1"/><ref name="onscreenasia1">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="theedgesingapore">Template:Cite news</ref> The company planned to expand the brand throughout Southeast Asia, while maintaining its presence in Australia.<ref name="smartcompany1"/> Former series' producer Julie Greene became the brand's executive creative director.<ref name="smartcompany1"/><ref name="onscreenasia1"/> The Hi-5 brand was consolidated under Tremendous Entertainment in 2014, after the equity fund was sold.<ref name="theedgesingapore"/><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> The Nine Network renewed its partnership with the Hi-5 franchise in October 2016 and participated in the production of a new television series in 2017.<ref name="revival"/><ref name="series17"/> In September 2018, the Australian production office was closed; the entire franchise relocated to Singapore.<ref name="ausproductionclosed"/>

The franchise launched a series of international versions; each group toured and produced local adaptations of the television series. In 2002, an American version of Hi-5 was created; the group filmed for television, recorded albums and toured.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By 2005, franchises local to India, South America and Germany were planned, but these did not eventuate.<ref name="hindi"/> A television series and a tour introduced the UK group in 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After the brand's sale in 2012, there was a return to licensing international groups. In 2014, a Latin American group was created,<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> followed by a local version for the Philippines in 2015,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the introduction of an Indonesian group in 2017.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Reception

Full body shot of the Hi-5 performers in colourful clothes, standing on an outdoor stage, most looking at each other or into the crowd. Woman at left has her right hand in the air. The men have their hands on their hips. They wear headset microphones and large log display.
Group members in 2007 (L-R): Kellie Crawford, Nathan Foley, Charli Robinson, Sun Park, and Stevie Nicholson

Commercial performance

Business Review WeeklyTemplate:'s annual Australian income list recognised the group as one of the country's highest paid entertainment groups, estimating annual earnings of A$18 million in 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Note: The article, published in 2008, reports earnings from 2007.</ref> The franchise was reported as Australia's highest selling children's music property in 2007.<ref name="autogenerated1">Template:Cite news</ref> The original quintet consistently received album ARIA accreditations for their releases: Celebrate was accredited as gold,<ref name="aria cert 2002"/> while Jump and Jive with Hi-5, Boom Boom Beat and It's a Hi-5 Christmas went platinum.<ref name="accreditations2000"/><ref name="accreditations2001"/> It's a Party received double platinum status.<ref name="accreditations2001"/> Four of the original line-up's albums reached the top 10 on the ARIA Albums ChartTemplate:SndIt's a Party peaked at number four in July 2000; Boom Boom Beat reached number three in August 2001; It's a Hi-5 Christmas at number four in December 2001; and their greatest hits album, Hi-5 Hits, reached number ten in July 2003.<ref name="aus charts"/>

Critical reviews

Critics in the Australian press often described Hi-5 as quality children's entertainment. The original line-up were praised both as a cohesive ensemble, and for their talents at singing and dancing.<ref name="spacemagic"/><ref name="holiday"/> Reviewers highlighted the group members' energy and enthusiasm.<ref name="spacemagic">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref name="childmagazine">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="turnthemusicup">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Hi-5's music has been described as simple, "infectious", and inspired by pop music.<ref name="holiday"/><ref name="turnthemusicup"/><ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref> The brand's employment of diverse performers, to serve as positive role models for children, was well-received.<ref name="holiday">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The group's concert tours were admired for the fast pace of the shows and the bright colours of the staging design.<ref name="turnthemusicup"/><ref name="circusreview"/> Reviewing the Circus Stageshow in 2008, Nicole Bittar of The Age described the members as versatile and cheerful, and commended their circus skills.<ref name="circusreview">Template:Cite news</ref> A 2015 concert was viewed by The Daily Telegraph as "well-choreographed and performed".<ref name="worldofdreams">Template:Cite news</ref> The group's productions have also been noted for their humour, incorporating slapstick elements inspired by pantomime comedy.<ref name="holiday"/><ref name="turnthemusicup"/><ref name="worldofdreams"/> Reporters said they had a teenage and adult following, with dedicated older fans;<ref name="news1"/><ref name="mummiesboys">Template:Cite news</ref> adult followers in the Philippines would use the group's songs to learn English.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Later iterations of the group were criticised for their performances, and the brand was criticised for frequent membership changes. In her blog for The Daily Telegraph in 2011, Sarrah Le Marquand found fault with Brant's musical abilities, claiming that while she was an enthusiastic entertainer, she had limited vocal talent.<ref name="offkeyact">Template:Cite news</ref> The reporter went on to suggest the entire line-up at the time were "melodically challenged".<ref name="offkeyact"/> A business blog argued that the group's target audience was unclear; while the franchise was aimed at preschoolers, the music and choreography seemed too complicated and like it was designed for an audience of older children.<ref name="flyingsolo">Template:Cite news</ref> The writer stated that the group had undefined member roles and that the performers attempted to upstage each other.<ref name="flyingsolo"/> Similarly, in a 2011 survey by the Australian Council on Children and the Media, parents condemned the costuming of the group, stating it was inappropriate for the audience and "premature sexualisation".<ref name="ACCM2011survey">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Commentators have expressed disapproval of the franchise frequently replacing its performers with new talent; the newer line-ups were described as unrecognisable.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Critiquing the debut of a new line-up at Carols by Candlelight in 2016, David Knox wrote that the performance was unmemorable, and suggested that their strengths were not demonstrated at the event.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Members

Template:Col-begin Template:Col-3 Original members

Former members

Template:Col-2

  • Tim Maddren (2009–2013)
  • Dayen Zheng (2012–2016)
  • Mary Lascaris (2013–2016)
  • Ainsley Melham (2013–2016)
  • Tanika Anderson (2014–2016)Template:Refn
  • Lachie Dearing (2016–2018)
  • Gabe Brown (2016)
  • Chris White (2016)
  • Courtney Clarke (2016–2018)
  • Shay Clifford (2016–2018)
  • Joe Kalou (2016–2018)
  • Bailey Spalding (2016–2018)

Template:Col-end

Timeline

<timeline> ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:120 bottom:80 top:0 right:0 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/09/1998 till:31/12/2019 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1999 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1999

Colors = 

id:original      value:purple      legend:Original_member
id:former        value:orange      legend:Former_member
id:inactive      value:gray(0.6)   legend:Inactive
id:swing         value:blue        legend:Understudy
id:guest         value:magenta     legend:Guest_performer

BarData = 

bar:Leon            text:"Kathleen de Leon Jones"
bar:Park            text:"Sun Park"
bar:Irvine          text:"Fely Irvine"
bar:Zheng           text:"Dayen Zheng"
bar:Clifford        text:"Shay Clifford"
bar:Harding         text:"Tim Harding"
bar:Nicholson       text:"Stevie Nicholson"
bar:Dearing         text:"Lachie Dearing"
bar:Robinson        text:"Charli Robinson"
bar:Burgess         text:"Casey Burgess"
bar:Lascaris        text:"Mary Lascaris"
bar:Spalding        text:"Bailey Spalding"
bar:Crawford        text:"Kellie Crawford"
bar:Brant           text:"Lauren Brant"
bar:Anderson        text:"Tanika Anderson"
bar:Clarke          text:"Courtney Clarke"
bar:Foley           text:"Nathan Foley"
bar:Maddren         text:"Tim Maddren"
bar:Melham          text:"Ainsley Melham"
bar:Brown           text:"Gabe Brown"
bar:White           text:"Chris White"
bar:Kalou           text:"Joe Kalou"

PlotData= 

color:orange width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Leon            from:start      till:25/04/2006 color:original
bar:Leon            from:25/04/2006 till:01/07/2007 color:inactive
bar:Park            from:25/04/2006 till:24/12/2008 color:former
bar:Irvine          from:05/01/2009 till:24/12/2011 color:former
bar:Zheng           from:01/01/2012 till:25/12/2016 color:former
bar:Clifford        from:15/12/2016 till:19/07/2018 color:former

bar:Harding         from:start      till:03/06/2007 color:original
bar:Harding         from:04/06/2007 till:20/11/2007 color:inactive
bar:Nicholson       from:04/06/2007 till:22/12/2015 color:former
bar:Dearing         from:01/01/2016 till:19/07/2018 color:former
bar:Nicholson       from:06/12/2018 till:08/12/2018 color:guest
bar:Nicholson       from:01/11/2019 till:03/11/2019 color:guest

bar:Robinson        from:start      till:01/04/2008 color:original
bar:Burgess         from:20/04/2008 till:19/01/2013 color:former
bar:Lascaris        from:23/01/2013 till:25/12/2016 color:former
bar:Spalding        from:15/12/2016 till:19/07/2018 color:former

bar:Crawford        from:start      till:25/12/2008 color:original
bar:Brant           from:05/01/2009 till:12/07/2014 color:former
bar:Anderson        from:01/10/2013 till:12/07/2014 color:swing
bar:Anderson        from:12/07/2014 till:25/12/2016 color:former
bar:Clarke          from:15/12/2016 till:19/07/2018 color:former
bar:Anderson        from:06/12/2018 till:08/12/2018 color:guest
bar:Anderson        from:01/11/2019 till:03/11/2019 color:guest

bar:Foley           from:start      till:25/12/2008 color:original
bar:Maddren         from:05/01/2009 till:19/01/2013 color:former
bar:Melham          from:23/01/2013 till:10/01/2016 color:former
bar:Brown           from:01/02/2016 till:10/04/2016 color:former
bar:White           from:14/05/2016 till:25/12/2016 color:former
bar:Kalou           from:15/12/2016 till:19/07/2018 color:former

</timeline>

Discography

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Template:Col-float

  • Jump and Jive with Hi-5 (1999)
  • It's a Party (2000)
  • Boom Boom Beat (2001)
  • It's a Hi-5 Christmas (2001)
  • Celebrate (2002)
  • Hi-5 Holiday (2003)
  • Jingle Jangle Jingle with Hi-5 (2004)
  • Making Music (2005)
  • Wish Upon a Star (2006)
  • Wow! (2007)
  • Planet Earth (2008)
  • Spin Me Round (2009)
  • Turn the Music Up! (2010)
  • Sing it Loud (2011)
  • Hi-5 Hot Hits! (2014)

Template:Col-float-end

Awards and nominations

List of awards and nominations received by Hi-5
Award Year Recipient(s) and nominee(s) Category Result Template:Abbr
ADVIA Awards 2006 Action Heroes Best DVD Marketing Campaign Template:Won <ref name="autogenerated1"/>
Apollo Awards 2015 Chris Harriott, Various (for Hi-5 House) Best Music Composition (Full Length) Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

APRA Screen Music Awards 2002 Chris Harriott, Lisa Hoppe, Chris Phillips (for "Opposites Attract") Best Music for Children's Television Template:Nom <ref name="australiantelevision2002">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Chris Harriott, Various (for songlets) Template:Nom
2003 Chris Harriott, Lisa Hoppe (for "Celebrate") Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2005 Chris Harriott, Leone Carey (for "Making Music") Best Original Song Composed for a Feature Film, Telemovie, TV Series or Mini-Series Template:Nom <ref name="making music">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

ARIA Music Awards 2000 Jump and Jive with Hi-5 Best Children's Album Template:Won <ref name="arias2000"/>
2001 It's a Party Template:Won <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2002 Boom Boom Beat Template:Won <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2003 Celebrate Template:Won <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2004 Hi-5 Holiday Template:Won <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2005 Making Music Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2006 Wish Upon a Star Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2007 Wow! Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2008 Planet Earth Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2011 Turn the Music Up! Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2012 Sing it Loud Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Asian Academy Creative Awards 2018 Hi-5 (for "Vehicles") Best Children's Entertainment or Drama Template:Won <ref name="2018awards">Template:Cite news</ref>
Hi-5 (for "Cultural Festivals") Best Preschool Programme Template:Won
Asian Television Awards 2007 Hi-5 Best Children's Programme Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2010 Template:Nom <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
2015 Hi-5 House Best Preschool Programme Template:Won <ref name="houseaward">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2016 Template:Nom <ref name="2016award">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2017 Hi-5 Template:Won <ref name="2017atvnom">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

Helpmann Awards 2002 Hi-5 Alive Best Presentation for Children Template:Won <ref name="helpmann2002"/>
2006 Space Magic Template:Nom <ref name="helpmann2006"/>
Logie Awards 2000 Hi-5 Most Outstanding Children's Program Template:Won <ref name="logies2000"/>
2001 Template:Won (Tied)Template:Refn <ref name="2001logies">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2002 Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2003 Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2004 Most Outstanding Children's Preschool Program Template:Won <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2005 Most Outstanding Children's Program Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2006 Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2008 Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2010 Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

2011 Template:Nom <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation CitationClass=web

}}</ref>

References

Notes Template:Reflist

Citations Template:Reflist

Bibliography

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