With the 50th anniversary of television in WA fast approaching. Not only are former staff of TVW Channel 7 busy organizing a reunion for Sunday 18th of October, 2009, but another committee of industry pioneers and memorabilia collectors is planning a museum exhibit to commemorate the occasion. This exhibit will cover the last 50 years of television broadcasting from the viewpoint of all stations.
Sadie Purser, the Seven 50th Anniversary program producer, also attends the TVW reunion planning meetings, along with Jill Glass of Seven Promotions. The event is being organized by former staff, for the benefit of past and present staff. The function will not be an official Channel Seven corporate event. It is anticipated that Seven will announce the official events in the near future.
Sadie Purser and Bret Treasure in the TVW board room for one of the monthly reunion planning meetings.
TVW has kindly assisted in making the reunion possible by allowing the studios to be used as a venue and providing catering. The generosity of a number of sponsors will cover all other expenses. The reunion will therefore be free to all who attend.
It needs to be emphasized that all staff, both past and present, are invited to the TVW reunion. Anyone wishing to attend will need to register. The planning committee needs to know how many are coming, and Seven needs to know the number of people to cater for. Attendees also need to abide by various common sense procedures to cover the station regarding occupational health and safety issues. Hence the simple registration formalities.
TVW pioneers remember the family atmosphere in the early days at Seven. Workers would mingle with management in the canteen, and lines of communications were good. Everyone was enthused by the new medium, and keen to explore the many opportunities, as fresh ideas and developments unfolded. The TVW reunion wishes not only to celebrate the many achievements over the decades, but also the team spirit that made this all happen. What better way to commemorate the occasion than in a social atmosphere, sharing a drink and reminiscing with old colleagues, within the former work environment, responsible for so many fond memories. Formalities will be kept to a minimum and Gary Carvolth will be the master of ceremonies.
The reunion is a rank and file affair, where all retirees are treated as equal. Not only have many former management registered, but so have many production, program, news, technical, operational, clerical, sales and support staff. Word is gradually getting out through the media, but word of mouth is important too, as not all veterans have the internet, and can easily miss a published article or radio interview. Your valued help is most appreciated in getting the message out.
AMMPT President Daryl Binning reports that, “AMMPT is seeking assistance of those attending the TVW reunion and others who may be interested in preserving the history of our industry in a tangible form that can be appreciated by future generations. Our exhibition 50 Years of WA TV which will run from October to December needs volunteers who can spend a few hours interacting with the public and meeting with old colleagues at the Fremantle display. Membership is also available to those who have a deeper committment to preserving the heritage of our industry. If you would like to be involved on a casual or more long term basis, please contact our Membership Secretary. Eddie Mills on 9447 4531 or by email edmills@optusnet.net.au Our objectives and newsletters can be found on our web page www.ammpt.asn.au“
Just like to pass on my comments and congratulations Ken that you are doing a fantastic job with the website, as I also know is Richard Ashton and many of your other supporters along with Sadie Purser and her production archive team.
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY – I just thought you might be interested to hear that in my archives I located a U-matic recording of what I believe to be the FIRST COLOUR LIVE OUTSIDE TELECAST from TVW at Government House Ballroom on the 11th October 1974. Miss Western Australia and Miss Australia 1974 – Randy Baker, hands over the role of Miss Western Australia to Christine Anderson of Sorrento.
The compere is Jeff Newman and the presentation was by Sir Charles Court.
In the credits we have names like Will Upson, Brian Smith and Keith McKenzie. I have now transferred it to DVD for safe keeping.
Thank you for the kind words Harry. For those who don’t know… Harry is providing the transfer facilities to convert TVW’s historic film to the new digital format, in preparation for TVW’s 50th Anniversary Special. Harry is also Vice President of The Australian Museum of Motion Picture Technology (AMMPT) who will be providing the TV History display this year at the Fremantle Arts Centre. People interested more in Harry’s activities can visit his web site at… http://wharfdale.com.au/
It’s sad to read in today’s West Australian about the cut backs at the museum…
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuId=77&ContentID=156433
Fremantle museum will soon be history (The West Australian)
The Fremantle History Museum will close this year, ending a near 40-year association with the port city. Jane King, from lobby group Museums Australia, attacked the decision but Arts Minister John
Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:39:45 GMT
It’s a pity now with the WA Museum cutbacks, that others have to pursue niche heritage preservation matters. A State museum needs the resources to cover all facets… including broadcasting and cinema. If Sydney can have a Powerhouse Museum… then why can’t WA? The East Perth Power Station is still sitting empty after being restored.
The more these things are delayed, the more the industry veterans will die out. Veterans who are busy trying to leave a worthy legacy for future generations.
There would be no point trying to collect steam engines, if they had all been melted down as scrap. Fortunately TVW’s Peter Croft photographed much of the old equipment before it went to the tip, so at least we’ve got a photo record. If there were not enthusiastic people busy collecting and preserving, there would be little left of this technology in this State.
TVW had a wonderful collection of artifacts, from broadcast and cinema equipment, to aircraft, a locomotive, a trolley bus, vintage cars etc. This was amassed under the watch of Sir James Cruthers and Frank Moss, only to be lost when the company changed hands in 1981. Bankruptcy under Christopher Skase, did not help. But unfortunately once a collection is lost, it’s difficult to replace the many valued relics.
The work that Sadie Purser is undertaking now, in locating program material for the 50th Anniversary Special, is a step in the right direction. It is also a wonderful opportunity for viewers to catch up with their old favourites, before too many fade away.