MESSAGE FROM VARIETY INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT GRAHAME MAPP AM

Telethon RECORD for Tent 47 British Columbia 7th March 2009

Dear Variety Colleagues and Friends around the World,

As we plan fundraising initiatives in this tough economic climate I wish to warmly congratulate three of our great Tents for the outstanding results of their Telethons held in February.

Tent 47 BRITISH COLUMBIA produced yet another record Variety Show of Hearts Telethon on Global TV over Valentine’s weekend raising CAN$8,304,513, a triumph for children with special needs in the Province. The 43 rd Annual Telethon opened spectacularly with a live studio performance by Cirque du Soleil. During the telecast there were many magic moments with this year’s Variety Kids, including a surprise appearance by runner-up . Many corporate partners were as generous as ever – the legendary White Spot chain of restaurants served up 3300 free meals for volunteers over the two day event! Heartiest congratulations to all in the Vancouver Tent led by Chief Barker Bob Stewart and Executive Director Barbie Hislop.

At Tent 15, Des Moines IOWA, the enthusiastic Variety team led by Chief Barker Dave Southwell and the irrepressible Reynolds family raised US$3,170,830 in their annual Telethon broadcast on ABC5. Once again this is an incredible effort for a State of just three million people and is a tribute to Iowans and their compassion for children with special needs.

Tent 7, Variety - The Children's Charity of Buffalo & Western New York concluded their 47th annual Variety Kids Telethon on Sunday February 22 with a total of US$1,156,877. Broadcast on WKBW-TV, this is the longest-running locally produced Telethon in the world. It was chaired by Laura Little who expressed delight with this wonderful outcome for the kids of the area.

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As a result of these long running events, Variety the Children’s Charity has achieved a high profile and the highest credibility. Everyone knows Variety in BC, Iowa and Buffalo…or it certainly seems that way, which is of paramount importance for the future growth of our charity.

APPEALATHON – WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Launch of APPEALATHON for Tent 74 Western Australia with Executive Director Michael Pailthorpe, International President Grahame Mapp, and the General Manager of Channel NINE and WIN Television (WA) Ian McRae.

There was much to be proud of during my recent visit to Tent 74 in Perth, Western Australia. Perth is a 5 hour flight across the continent from Sydney where the local Tent is buzzing with plans for future growth. The main purpose of the 2 day visit was to attend the official launch of a vibrant new partnership between Channel NINE / WIN Television and Variety Western Australia. This is an exciting initiative which will enable Tent 74 to use its charity management skills to drive and refresh the existing television ‘Appealathon’, via AU$1.5million of donated airtime throughout the year, free use of production facilities and current affair news stories. Two major brands and two hearts will beat as one for the direct benefit of the children of this State. I congratulate the Variety WA Board, Chief Barker Ennio Tavani and Executive Director Michael Pailthorpe on achieving this wonderful partnership and wish them every success.

While in Perth it was my great pleasure to announce Professor Fiona Wood AM as the new Patron for Tent 74 and welcome her to the role. Professor Wood who was ‘Australian of the Year’ in 2005 and is renowned internationally as a burns specialist, was propelled into the spotlight when she led a courageous and committed team in the fight to save 28 survivors of the Bali bombings. As a mother of six children Fiona has embraced her new Variety patronage with great enthusiasm and we are thrilled and honoured by her gracious acceptance.

At the end of last year I flew to the beautiful island of Tasmania, Australia’s most southern State, to attend a Cocktail Function and Dinner at Wrest Point Casino to thank Corporate Supporters and present Awards. While Tent 78 is one of our smaller Tents, it is certainly big on ambition with Chief Barker Brendan Blomeley and his enthusiastic members confidently projecting a major uplift in fundraising revenues over the next two years.

Two weeks ago Sue and I welcomed the Australian National Board and Tent Executive Directors to our Sydney home for dinner and the following day I attended the Australian Association Board Meeting where it was heartwarming to hear of the many new initiatives being introduced by the Tents. I am pleased to announce the election of Jack Cannons as the new National Board Chairman following the retirement of Ken Loughnan. Ken has done a remarkable job as Chairman and we thank him for his

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VARIETY INTERNATIONAL WORLD HEADQUARTERS On the world stage, the Variety International Office is now established in new World Headquarters in Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles with Chief Operating Officer Bill Hopkins and Director of Development and Communication, Michael Huffman working on our strategy for the growth of Variety internationally. It is unfortunate that we have not been able to progress as quickly as we would have liked the Strategic Plan adopted by the International Board at its meeting in Edinburgh in 2007. Regrettably, the Board of Variety Children’s Lifeline Inc. has not agreed to return the Lifeline Program to Variety International as requested by an overwhelming vote of the Variety International Board at its last meeting in November in Los Angeles. The time has now come where we must all pull together to ensure that the growth strategy, appropriately modified if necessary, becomes a reality.

COUNT DOWN TO THE CONVENTION – Friday 1ST to Tuesday 5th May Welcome Party for all Delegates is Saturday 2 nd May

In 8 weeks time the Variety International Convention will be underway at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Meetings for the Board, Chief Barkers and Executive Directors will take place on Friday 1 st and Saturday 2 nd May. The Welcome Party for all Delegates is Saturday evening 2 nd . This party will also be a celebration of the 60 th birthday of Tent 36 Great Britain which was granted its Variety International Charter on 2 nd May 1949.

The Convention Committee co-chaired by Tony Hatch (renowned composer and entertainer) and Julia Morley (chairman and owner of Miss World Organisation) is assembling a full program of events and business sessions. The Annual General Meeting for Delegates will be conducted on Sunday morning at which I will present a comprehensive report as your International President. The prestigious Humanitarian Dinner will be held at the historic and stately Guildhall on Sunday 3 rd May in the presence of HRH Prince Michael of Kent and Princess Michael. Thank you to John and Marsha Rae Ratcliff for extending this invitation to their royal friends.

I wish to emphasize that interaction and the exchange of knowledge between the Tent representatives is very important for the growth of our charity internationally and we welcome the participation of all volunteers at these meetings. Please come and share your ideas and also learn from others in the interest of growing your Tent.

I encourage you to register immediately. The discounted registration fee of US$600 has now been extended to March 31 st , Young Variety members can now attend for the subsidised fee of US$300 and the Royal Lancaster Hotel has generously reduced room rates even further to welcome Variety delegates. This is an International Convention not to be missed. Please visit the Convention website now at www.varietyconvention2009.com I look forward to welcoming friends with whom I have enjoyed memorable moments during my world travels over the past few years and those who will be attending for the first time.

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US VARIETY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

THANK YOU JAMIE LEE CURTIS

for publicly supporting

VARIETY KIDS ON THE GO!

Congratulations to the US Variety National Association on acquiring the support of Jamie Lee Curtis for a television PSA to promote Variety Kids on the Go!

CEO Ana La Dou says the PSA shows a child riding an adaptive bike to demonstrate the positive effects our Mobility Program has in the lives of children with disabilities all over the country.

We look forward to seeing this wonderful program promoted to the American public.

Hank Lightstone was recently elected as President of US Variety National Association and I wish him every success in this position.

TENT 36 GREAT BRITAIN – GALA EVENTS The British Tent continues to roll out impressive events with dazzling entertainment. The 57 th Annual Dinner & Ball will be held at Grosvenor House, Park Lane on March 14 with Variety presenting the very best of London’s West End Theatre. The 27th Variety Club Sports Awards make a triumphant return for 2009 to a spectacular new location in the Wembley Suite, Wembley Stadium while the 18th Annual Property Awards Lunch, known as THE PROPS, will be staged at the Hilton Park Lane on May 19.

I send my best wishes to every Tent for a successful year ahead wherever you are in the World of Variety.

Grahame Mapp International President Sydney Australia

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