ABC Radio veteran and former STW-9 staffer David Carlisle kindly reminded us that today, Saturday 7th May 2011, marks Six Years since the last ABC Radio News Bulletin was read from the former ABC studios in Adelaide Terrace, Perth.
The newsreader was Alan Knight, who just happened to be the newsreader this morning too.
Alan also read the ABC television News on occasions.
News was the last department to make the move from Adelaide Terrace to Fielder Street, East Perth.
Alan has been with the ABC for 20 years, after 2 years with 6KY (now Mix 94.5). Former ABC announcers Earl Reeve and Anne Conti tutored Alan at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Alan was the second oldest student in a class of 20. The class included Monica Kos, (Channel 7), Christina Morrissey, (formerly Channel 10, GWN and ABC Radio), Jane Marwick, (96 FM), Michael Usher (Channel 9 reporter) and Paula Voce (Channel 7).
Interestingly, former ABC announcers have a long connection with the academy, as David Hawkes was the first Head of WAAPA Broadcasting, followed by Anne Conti, Earl Reeve and Murray Jennings.
Following the last broadcast from the Adelaide Terrace studios, Transmission Supervisor John Hewitt, sitting in Radio Master Control, had the distinction of being the last staff member to leave the building, after turning off the power switch. The Radio Master Control enjoyed one of the best views of the Swan River, and can recall former Manager of Radio Glenn Darlington, stating enviously that his office overlooked the traffic on the terrace.
Sadly, the much liked John Hewitt passed away on November 6th, 2010, shortly before the former ABC television studios and News buildings were demolished.
