Lyndell Jobson (nee Carter) worked for Bill McKenzie and Graham Plummer in the Program Department from 1970 to 1974.

Lyndell kindly provided this story…

Boy where do you start with this wonderful experience of working with TVW7.

I started with Channel 7 in 1970 and worked in the Program Department for Bill McKenzie and Graham Plummer. I was fortunate enough to share the office with Glenys Gill. She was such a great help in assisting me with the tricks of the trade. We used to have many laughs in our office especially with Graham Plummer around.

Graham would waltz into the office throwing his hands up, nose in the air, and say well for the next two hours I will be up previewing movies with Mr. Cruthers. So just take any messages, and he would waltz right out again arms still waving around. It was almost like he floated through from one door to the next. It was so funny.

Bill McKenzie was a wonderful boss. He was always so calm, patient and made time to help you with anything you were unsure about. That was really important when first learning a job. I am sure Bill carried those qualities throughout his illustrious career.

About two weeks after I started, publicity wanted to take a photo obviously of the new recruit. I believe this was often done. I was asked to sit at my desk with my new IBM (golfball typewriter, boy I loved that typewriter) and smile. Like a mug shot.

Memories of the uniform. Not sure if it is still in place now. The summer uniform was pale blue, zip up the front, short sleeves and was to be a certain length. I can honestly say that was not obeyed. Me included. The winter uniform was a maroon pinafore dress, with a crème shirt or jumper underneath. Once again the length was variable. Black shoes for winter and white for summer. Please correct me ladies if I am wrong.

During 1971 I was asked to type the News bulletin on a Saturday. I think Brian Burke was in charge of the newsroom on those Saturdays. The newsroom boys loved a good laugh. Stuart Joynt was one of the biggest stirrers. Just about every secretary had a stint at typing the news. I can say there was never a dull moment. You usually started your shift around 3 pm – that was spent not doing a great deal, usually something involving humour, then around 4 pm the reporters would start coming back and formatting their stories, making jokes in between, – all men of course, and then 5 o’clock would come and it would be bedlam. The fingers would not stop typing for that hour. At 6 pm you would start to breathe again. It was all good fun.

The social side of Channel 7 was very good. There was always a party to go to or functions being held at work that needed assistance. For example, there were a few times the Sales Department would have client evenings and they would ask the secretaries to be hostesses. This would involve giving the guests their name tags, offering them a drink on arrival and ushering them through to the area where the evening was being held. Then there were the celebrations after the completion of another great Telethon. Most of us would work the full 24 hours. This was an occasion you did not want to leave, as there was always so much happening and so many popular faces to meet and greet. The Monday afterwards were not terribly productive. Thank goodness the bosses knew why. I really felt in those years we were just a big family.

The Miss West Coast Days were also fun. This usually consisted of two girls and a male driver in a mini moke going down to the beaches, and handing out Miss West Coast entry forms. I did this for quite a few weekends, with Peter Perron, can’t remember the other girls name (my apologies), boy was he a reckless driver or should I say would love to show off in front of the girls. He loved stirring us up. Still not sure to this day whether he had a licence. Great time, so many laughs.

Not sure of the year with this one, maybe 1971. We formed the first TVW netball team. We scouted for players and managed to get a team together. Glenys Gill, who was a great player herself, was our coach and we would have training most week days. I say most. We only won a few games unfortunately. The name of the players in the TV Week photo are Sophie Svircas (publicity), Luise Borsje (sales), Linda Smith (engineering), Sue Rayner (Ken Kemp’s secretary, she is in the jeans) and myself (programmes) shooting the goal.

Lyndell shooting a goal

The last vivid memory is the TVW Christmas Pageant – 1972. I remember when we were asked to do this. We all went scattering to find white boots. Lucky they were in fashion back then. It was a great day, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the build up, the march and watching the faces of the crowd, especially the children. I am glad this event still continues to this day.

Lyndell Carter

Left to Right: Lyndell Carter, Sally Mail, Jo Arinford, Linda Hundy and Glenys Gill

There were so many activities we were involved in. I would have to say that this job was one of the most enjoyable and memorable of all my working life.The people were just amazing and I still have some of those friends today. Thank you Channel 7 for the experience and enjoyment. Happy 50th.

I would like to acknowledge some of the girls I worked with. Glenys Gill, Anne Pick, Sharon Barron-Sullivan, Sophie Svircas, Linda Brownrigg, Linda Hundy, Maureen Burgwyn, Jeannette Ashley, Linda Smith, Lesley-Anne Lingham, Glenys Wheeler, Jo Rainsford, Jenny Rimmer, Yvonne Hale, Beryl Keaughran, Sandy Palmer (school friend) Jill Korbosky, Yvonne Garbellini. I am sure there are more but the memory is struggling a bit. There was also a lady in the reception area called Trish (not sure of her last name). Thank you and I hope I see you at the re-union.

Regards Lyndell Jobson (nee Carter)