Smart died on September 9th at his home in East Gippsland, Victoria. News of his death was made public in recent days and confirmed by the ABC Kids Community group.
“Alister Smart, an original Play School presenter, appeared in the very first episode in 1966 and presented for over 25 years.
He was also an actor and director, with credits including Number 96, Skippy and The Sullivans, and he directed Sons and Daughters, A Country Practice and Neighbours.
In loving memory 
“
Adelaide-born Smart was on screen when Play School premiered on the ABC in 1966, alongside Diane Dorgan He remained a presenter for 27 years, until his retirement in 1993. Across that run, he shared the famous house with a generation of co-presenters, including Lorraine Bayly, Anne Haddy, Donald McDonald, Kerry Francis, Don Spencer, Benita Collings, John Hamblin, Noni Hazlehurst, John Waters and Philip Quast.
For millions of Australians, that was the doorway into the day. Big Ted, Little Ted, Jemima and Humpty, a story, a song, and a calm voice that never talked down to the audience. Play School is now the country’s longest-running children’s program, and Smart was there at the start. “Open wide, come inside, it’s Play School! For over 50-years and counting, Play School is still entertaining and engaging children, exploring the world through play, music, art and the imagination.”
Before the windows and the clock, there was a stage career. Raised partly in Nowra, he left school to join the family piano-restoration business, studied at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, then turned to acting. He began in theatre in the early 1950s, worked in England from 1953, and later appeared in Australian television including Skippy, Number 96, The Sullivans, A Country Practice and Neighbours.
Behind the camera, he became a prolific director, best known for 88 episodes of the 1980s drama Sons and Daughters. Other directing credits included Prisoner, Neighbours, Cop Shop, E Street and Blue Heelers.
Fans have been leaving tributes online since the news broke.
“Rest well, Alister. Thank you for helping shape us,” one wrote.
“RIP Alister, you legend and just a beautiful human being who loved to entertain a generation of kids,” said another.
He is survived by his wife, Margery.
