I came to TVW as a young temp to work on a Telethon and was asked if I would like to stay on, so I did and was promoted to Publicity Department. It was a wonderful place to work- so much fun, the studios were always busy lots of local production and OB’s. i.e. Children’s shows, Miss West Coast, Miss Australasian Beach Girl, The Christmas Pageant, Stars of the Future – (Annette Purvis was one of the stars and I have a 45rpm record which was recorded by 7 Records P/L – in original record sleeve). I was very lucky to be part of the team who worked on Telethons, greeting international and Australian celebs who gave their time to help raise money. It was very exciting to work through the night with everyone, there was a great energy.
Such fun to be at the beaches during summer hurtling along in a mini moke with Jeff Newman and Don Rowe and (sometimes) photographer Larry Toogood to select girls from the beach to take part in the Miss West Coast contests – Karen Pini was one of them.
Miss Australasian Beach Girl – Karen Pini with Greg Byrne and two others
TVW was a great training ground too. The logistics of the Christmas Pageant were mind boggling. Cutting corners in the preparation of any event was never an option and was indelibly imprinted in our psyche by Max Bostock who was a stickler for nailing every aspect of an event to an inch of its life. Always with good humour. A discipline which has stayed with me through my working life.
At the Executive level, all were highly approachable. Sir James Cruthers always had a word if he bumped into you in the corridor, as did Brian Treasure. For someone who was a long way from home, it was a respectful, fun, and friendly atmosphere to work in. Loved it.
Marie van Maaren went to Melbourne to host The Early Bird Show in the late ’70s and ’80s for Channel 0/10. The show ended in 1989 (after it had been briefly re-titled ‘Club Ten’) but whatever happened to her after that..?
Kay I also remember the Miss West Coast recruitment days. Myself, and another girl, forgotten her name, and I think it was Peter Perron would go to the beaches in the mini moke and look for young pretty girls to enter the competition. We did this for many weekends. Peter was known to flick a bit of sand around as he parked the moke close to a pretty girl. I’m sure he had a licence, I think I was too young to ask. We always had lots of fun and laughs. Great days and memories.
I believe Russell Watkins is second from the left in the Karen Pini photograph. (Or the Greg Byrne photo if you prefer). Graeme Plummer advises that Russell worked at Channel 7 Sydney, then went to LA to represent the Nine Network and subsequently opened his own programm purchasing office. He’s now retired and lives in Pebble Beach.
I’m trying to date a similar photo to that of the “beer can” one above. Does anyone know the month/year?
Thanks
Alan C