Max Bostock – (TVW 1960-1981)

Max became a professional musician at the age of 15 in 1942. He played Piano and Vibes in many nightclubs, and in the late 1940’s created the big stage band that became well known on radio and stage shows in the major ballrooms in Melbourne and Sydney. 

In the early 50’s he did a weekly national program on radio 3DB called ‘The Happy Gang’.

At the commencement of television in 1956, He did musical arrangements for many stage performers, and TV shows, including the LATE, LATE SHOW with Bert Newton on HSV7, and later for GTV9’s IN MELBOURNE TONIGHT with Graham Kennedy.

After visiting Perth in early 1960 to work in a show produced by Brian Williams, He accepted an offer from Brian Treasure to join the staff of TVW. He considered this a decision that shaped the rest of his working life.  As TVW was a new station, in an isolated state, everyone was on a learning curve and it created a family atmosphere.  Many of the formats that shaped TVW’s production direction into the future originated in this period. 

Max Bostock commenced with TVW in 1960 as Musical Director on the Tuesday Date and Saturday Showtime series.

Brian Williams, Frankie Davidson and Max Bostock

Max also had excellent contacts with many east coast talent including Dorothy Baker, Frankie Davidson and Dig Richards.

Max Bostock directs The Good Oil with choreographer Kevan Johnston

TVW were producing many musically orientated shows in the first decade, including Teen Beat, Club Seventeen in which Max directed the series with Gary Carvolth, and the musical elements of In Perth Tonight, Invitation to the Dance and the production and direction of Coralie Condon’s musical comedy The Good Oil, staring Jill Perryman and Kevan Johnston. Max also played a key role in setting up the highly successful annual TVW Telethon, which is now famed for its outstanding contributions to charity.

Max Bostock welcomes Bob Hope to Perth

Bob Hope Down Under

In later years, Max executive produced or had a strong influence over most TVW productions, setting up a Special Projects Department to organise and execute a wide range of events, ranging from the Birdman Rally, Milk Carton Regatta, the many Christmas Parades,  the grand opening of The Perth Entertainment Centre, the 1980 World Professional Ballroom Dancing Championships, TVW arena productions and grandest of all the 1979 Miss Universe at The Perth Entertainment Centre.

▪ 1960-1964 Musical director/producer

▪ 1964-1968 Production Manager

▪ 1968-1974 Station Manager

▪ 1974-1977 General Manager

▪ 1977-1980 Chief Executive Officer

▪ 1980-1981 Associate Director

After joining TVW in 1960, Max progressed from Musical Director, through Producer/Director, Production manager, Station Manager, General Manager, and in 1977 was appointed CEO of TVW Enterprises Ltd.

He was awarded the MBE in 1980 and was always a bit embarrassed by this. He considered production to be a team job, and this award should have included many of his skilled and dedicated staff. 

He left TVW in 1981, and after producing the NATIONAL OLYMPATHON for the Olympic Federation and Network 10, he was sent to L.A. to produce the Australian opening program to the 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES from Los Angeles. However this was interrupted when he was sent an airline ticket and asked to attend a meeting with Rupert Murdoch on a flight between San Francisco and Boston.

He accepted Rupert’s offer of the position of Executive Director of Network 10, responsible for Melbourne and Sydney TV Stations, several radio stations and a production company. Later this was upgraded to CEO. He retired in 1986 to become ‘National Fundraising Director’ for the Australian Olympic Federation until 1988.

Max Bostock was welcomed home from the Eastern States by past and present TVW staff and management.