Comments on: Background to the ABC leaving its former Perth studio site.

By: Robert Taylor

Robert Taylor — Wed, 24 Sep 2014 02:15:47 +0000

My time at the ABC was from late 1969 to mid 1972 and it was a time with much internal strife and unhappiness with staff and management. It decided me to eventually leave and chisel out a life back with the NZBC, where I started. It does not seem fit for me to comment in any depth and your account Ken is commendable. However the times were unhappy for many very talented people; the causes have perhaps been analysed in the past and I am sure resolved. That said, my time there was without doubt character building and enabled me to develop a range of broadcasting skills, enhanced by original formal training with the NZBC. Your picture of Bob Weggellaar brought a tear to my eye as we were very good mates and I enjoyed working with him as my panel operator. When I saw the faces of former ABC colleagues, I felt an indescribable emotion well up inside me. We had a very strong bond, ably assisted by regular meetings in the Supervisors’ room. That such a unique assemblage of talent can be so casually tossed aside, is anathema to me. However, the ABC in Perth is not alone and NZBC was restructured to become Radio New Zealand. Then the hatchet man, well known in Australian broadcasting circles, paid us a visit and broadcasting in New Zealand has never been the same since. I always felt that the stations in Perth lacked the freedom to allow our talents to fully emerge, restricted mainly to a few and some people jealously guarded their functions there. My only claim to fame I suppose, is doing “Yours For The Asking” with Phyllis Hope-Robertson, also the general duties of air work and in particular television days and nights booth announcing, which I loved. A producer friend, Noel Williamson and I came up with the idea for a TV series and ABC television was much more adventurous and encouraging; so I presented “Things That Go Bang” a series on the history of firearms and it enjoyed a long repeat run around the country.
Back in my home country, NZ, I went from success to success and being given so much freedom, I evolved a whole new format for a National Breakfast radio programme. I introduced birdcalls and this was to eventually earn for me a Queen’s Service Medal. All these years later and Radio New Zealand is still broadcasting the birdcalls as a significant part of its identity. However, I wish I had been given the same opportunity to prove myself on ABC radio. I will always carry a soft spot in my heart for those days with Aunty and be eternally grateful for the inspiration my tenure there gave me. I have no bad feelings or malice to anyone there and only the upmost regard for the wealth of talent ensnared within its walls. Thank you for these lovely memories. For my old mates over there, I live in Queensland on an island in Moreton Bay. Retired now at 70 I write poetry and history journals. Much of my time is taken up doing research on the American Civil War.

By: Ross Herbert

Ross Herbert — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 09:42:48 +0000

Ken, as you will recall, the then PMG’s Department was responsible for the technical operation of the ABC equipment and studio equipment and its operational aspects. I have taken an extract from the PMG WA Engineering Bulletin for June 1960 which describes the event from the technical side of things;

“The transfer of all movable equipment, including Engineers Store and Outside Broadcast apparatus, to the new Rosehill Studios is now finished. The date of complete transfer was 22.6.60, and all studio services have been handled at Rosehill as from the morning of 23.6.60.

The close of radio transmissions at 11.30pm on 22.6.60, brought to an end the use of a succession of temporary studio premises, dating from June 1929, when this department took over the technical operation of 6WF. The opening programs on Thursday morning, 23.6.60, originated in the new studios at Rosehill, Adelaide Terrace.

This modern completely air-conditioned building, comprising a five-storey office block and technical services office block, was erected at a cost of £650,000. Five production studios are provided, the largest being the orchestral studio 620, which measures 80ft x 60ft x 30ft, and is designed to accommodate an orchestra of 80 players and a choir of 100 persons. The other operational studios are – 621 Music; 612 Music; 610 Drama, and 611 Talks. There are four network studios – 601 to 604, each 25ft x 15ft x 9ft 6 inches.

Technical accommodation comprises 9 control booths, switchroom, 8 tape recording booths, 1 disc recording booth, Engineers store and Outside Broadcast equipment store – and there are offices for the Supervising Technician in charge, Shift Supervising Technicians, Recording Supervising Technician and Maintenance Senior Technician.

The program switching system, which uses Siemens high speed motor uniselectors, is based on that used in the Sydney studios. Announcers desks, control desks, portable tape replay machines, effects machines and house monitoring selector boxes were all designed locally by the Radio Installation Division and Drafting Section, to match the maple timber of the studios and control booths. The Postal Workshops manufactured the cabinets for these desks, and also the switchroom equipment racks and cable ducting etc. The assembly, wiring and installation of all the equipment was carried out by the installation staff of the Radio No.2 Division. The total installed cost of the technical equipment was £108,000.

During the progress of the work, the Perth City Council succeeded in having the building contract accelerated to allow completion of the building 9 months earlier than originally planned. This was done to make the site of the old studios available for a new Town Hall to be erected in time for the 1962 Empire Games. The reduction in time due to bringing forward the opening date from February 1961, to June 1960, increased the difficulties in the supply of material and caused a complete re-arrangement of the installation work.

Great credit is due to all staff concerned with the project for the excellence of the final installation, especially as during the period of the work, the Division carried out other major works, including the installation of the National Television Station ABW2 at Bickley, a 4 channel I.S.B. radio telephone system between Perth and Derby, radio telephone links Wyndham – Derby, Perth – Kalamunda and Perth – Byford, and a 10kW stand-by transmitter at South-West regional station 6WA Wagin, and the re-mounting and removal of all equipment to a new wing at Byford shortwave receiving station.”

PS. I wonder what happened to the new Town Hall??

By: Andrew Dobson

Andrew Dobson — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:44:12 +0000

I would just like to thank Peter Newman who introduced me to all the great music from the 50’s and 60’s via his Friday night show which was broadcast form 7pm till midnight. I tuned in every week in the late 70’s and early 80’s as a 15 – 18 year old and indeed to a great extent it was the ‘ highlight ‘ of my week. I used to close the bedroom door and listen to the whole programme in the dark !! The music that I first heard on Peters show has remained with me , so Peter wherever you are thanks for the memory. PS I moved back to England in 1982 but still remember my time in Perth with fondness.

By: Russell Bell

Russell Bell — Sat, 21 May 2011 22:16:03 +0000

This is a great contribution to the history of the ABC in WA Ken. What a joy it was to go from valves to digital, including the change to colour Television. I remember we had to do a colour blind test for TV. As any career it has its highs and lows, but the highs outweighed the lows. We met some interesting people over the years.

By: William Hird

William Hird — Wed, 18 May 2011 23:33:02 +0000

Hi,
Interesting site.
Just a small point. The picture of the Digital OB van doesn’t seem to be in Perth and I suspect it is not WA’s OB6 van.
I’m happy to submit pictures of ours in situ if you prefer.
Failing all of that can you say where the photo came from.

regards
W. Mark Hird – Technical Producer TV(31 years at ABC Perth)