Maureen Burgwyn joined 6IX shortly after TVW took over the radio station. The studios were then located next to WA Newspapers in Mounts Bay Road (in a now demolished building across the road from the present bus station). When the seventeen year old Maureen applied, she was shortlisted by 6IX and appointed by TVW Company Secretary Frank Moss at Channel Seven.

Meanwhile, new 6IX studios were build adjoining TVW at Tuart Hill, and while waiting for the rest of the radio staff to move out from the city, Maureen was engaged as a secretary in the Traffic department. Eventually both the radio and TV traffic departments were amalgamated on the ground floor, where Maureen worked with former veteran announcer Mr David Dalimore, Bob Page, Helen Story, Jan Galliott and Linda Brownrigg.

It was not long before the combined staff were engaging in all manner of TVW activities from the Christmas Pageant to Telethon. This included recreational activities such as the netball team.

Jan Maravillas (nee Galliott), who is still Maureen’s best friend after all these years, has provided the following names for the photos of the Channel 7 netball team.

“We did win the best dressed team if not a game, and not due to Glenys Gill’s fine coaching, but probably due to the late Friday nights drinking with the crowd after work.
’, said Maureen.

Standing:Frank Moss, Jackie, Jan Galliott, Luise Borsje, unknown, Maureen Burgwyn, unknown

Kneeling: Velia Cometti, Sophia Stefanoff, Lynette Thorpe (deceased), Darienne

Sophia Stefanoff, Velia Cometti, Lynette Thorpe (deceased), Luise Borsje, Darienne, Jan Galliott, Jackie, unknown, Maureen Burgwyn

Maureen sadly reports that her close friend, workmate and team mate Lynette Thorpe passed away some 15 years ago.

This well liked lady from Publicity, firstly lost her husband in a freak accident as a tourist in India, then lost two of her sons in a train crossing accident involving a motor bike, finally succumbing to cancer. Lynny Candy (nee Thorpe) is survived by her eldest son Sean. A very sad outcome for such a friendly soul, though she will be fondly remembered.

Maureen’s sister Sharon Gallagher (nee Burgwyn) worked in TVW’s production department with Pedro Dunn and Perry Santos. Pedro was a dear friend of Sharon’s until her death. Sharon sadly passed away on March 10th 2006, quite suddenly and totally unexpectedly. And dare I say unnecessarily, Joondalup missed diagnoising her symptoms. 


Maureen kindly provided the following photos. One of which appeared in the West Australian newspaper to publicise TVW’s first Christmas Pageant in 1972.

Maureen reports that she, “Remembers carrying the signage for the first Christmas Pageant. No one thought to cut holes in the banners, so the wind just kept trying to blow us backwards. Carrying it down the terrace while trying to look like we were not in pain was extremely hard, with blisters on the feet at the end…  But great fun. Still have a few of the publicity photo’s which are good to show the children.”

“Also did an ad for Telethon for plastic poncho’s for the football crowd. Money raised for Telethon of course, I was only 17 first job, I remember going home to my younger sister and brother plus friends sitting in the lounge waiting for the ad to come on.

Working at the Lion Park when needed. Hostessing for the football awards. So many things we could get involved with. Working for 6IX, Channel Seven was never boring, made great life friends also, so thank you Frank Moss for choosing to hire me.”

Other Secretary stories…

TVW Secretaries Introduction …

Jeannette Ashley …

Luise Borsje …

Lyndell Carter …

Hilary Everard …

Joy Heweston