Page 68 - NHS Beyond the Classroom

Wendy Nuzum 1979 & 1986

My selection from a group an illusion), There were masses of lights and your
of 12 fellow-students was made really sweated.
after obstacle courses, general In filming they were forever having
knowledge tests and interviews technical problems, which prolonged the agony. I
had been overcome and my was in heat 7; it was close and a great relief when
name was put forward for all over.
Regional selection for the South Pacific Television A month later I was called back for the semi-
Competition “Superkids 1979”. finals. There was a lot of pressure and tension
I had to do essays on making it very hard to
debatable topics such as “The concentrate. There was no chance
Legal Age For Drinking, Smoking for a practice run-through because
and Marriage”, fill in of a rigorous schedule. My
questionaires, etc. I was very speech went a little wonky but
surprised to receive a letter that didn’t worry me too much as
notifying me that I had been I knew I could make up for it in
chosen as one of the 32 the final. I just won by the skin of
contestants picked from all the my teeth, and it was on to the
High Schools and Colleges in final against three boys.
New Zealand. As there was a The final was the most
much wider participation this relaxed of the filmings as we were
year, there could only be one calmer and a lot more used to the
representative from each applicant procedure. At the hotel we saw
school. some celebrities that were staying
On June 8th I bussed to - Gladys Knight & the Pips,
Auckland and met some of the Dolly Parton and “The
other contestants. We were really Knack” (whom we breakfasted
well lokked after with taxis, with. They really played the part
hotels, food and everything paid of American Rock Stars.
for by TV2. We had an amusing
On our first night we had a buffet dinner and morning before returning to the studio.
met all the crew - Producer, Director and Everything went well and it was a great thrill
Manager Peter Sinclair, Ernie Leonard and Phillip to win; but probably the best part of it was just
Sherry. Then they all disappeared to the pub! competing and being involved. We were treated
There was a conference going on in the Hotel well and learned a lot about television production.
Intercontinental where we were staying called Just walking around the studio is interesting -
“Ocean ‘79”. Two other girls and I were asked to seeing the news team preparing for the 6 o’clock
model wet-suits. We got some strange looks but news, watching Chit Chat, going into the
received a small commission on the sale of over production rooms, talking to Tracey between
$1,500 worth of wet-suits - it was quite fun. programmes on the Goodtime Show.
The next day saw us on the TV2 double- It was a worthwhile experience which I will
decker bus to Kristen School where the outdoor long remember. Now I also have my Australian
section for all eight heats was filmed. It was great trip to look forward to.
fun and rather humourus in parts with all the mud. My thanks to Mrs Middleton and Mr
We had a great week-end in which we were free to Murphy for putting me forward to represent the

go as we liked - and we did! Everyone got on school on the programme. I really appreciated
well together and we made the best of our stay in their help and encouragement.
Auckland.
Filming the studio section was very nerve- - Wendy Nuzum
wracking. There was an audience and large floor
crew in front of you. The studio was quite small, Note: Wendy became one of the hosts of the
although it was the one used for Telethon (size is television series “Spot On” in 1986.

It is interesting that Wendy appears in the school rolls from 1979 to 1981 along
with N5 Group photos but does not appear in the Enrolment Register !

Wendy in action in “Spot On” TV show. Scroll through to the 36m 45s stage.

https://www.nzonscreen.com/title/spot-on-final-episode-1988/quotes