Notion of a 7-2-9-10 Club Terry Spence, Earl Reeve, Peter Goodall, Peter Harries and Brian Williams plan for the 729 Television Reunion at the Italian Club in 2006 The 729 Club was once patronised by members of the Sydney radio, television and advertising industry. It was located in the Sydney suburb of St Leonards during what most would call the ‘pioneering’ days of the Australian television industry. The club was starting up at the same time television was being introduced to Western Australia in 1959. The Foundation Members include key people in the industry at that...

The ABC was considered an alternate source of programming, and as such, more stimulating and thought provoking. This did not necessarily mean popular with mainstream audiences. It was argued that the ABC must remain relevant so that the taxpayers received value for money, but does this result in compromises rather than excellence? It can be asserted that attracting a larger audience is making it more relevant, but if that audience is less distinguishable from the commercial viewing crowd, then there is an increased likelihood that mimicking the commercials will result in a dilution of the so called...

We sadly report the passing of David Dallimore, an English gentleman who emigrated to Australia and is fondly remembered by radio listeners for his twenty years of broadcasting and entertaining at the microphone of 6IX in Perth and regional stations 6WB, 6MD and 6BY. David worked in the manufacturing and maintenance aspects of the British aeronautical industry, before his wife’s parent sponsored him out to Australia, not long after the second world war. It was a time when the limited aircraft work opportunities were going to Australian returned servicemen, so David worked as an inspector...

Tribute to Maestro Peter Piccini (1936-2011) The renowned Peter Piccini, Perth’s internationally acclaimed virtuoso of the piano accordion, pianist, composer, arranger, conductor, and master of music, passed away on Tuesday October 11th, 2011, at Murdoch Community Hospice, which is part of St John of God Hospital, and situated within the hospital’s grounds in the Perth suburb of Murdoch, Western Australia. Peter was born in Sydney on June 4th 1936, the son of Pietro Piccinino (known as Peter Piccini Senior), from whom he acquired his skills with the accordion, for his father was himself...

Wireless Hill Future – Part 1 of 6 In 2012, the former Applecross Wireless Station, now known as Wireless Hill Park, will celebrate its 100th anniversary with community plans well underway to mark this historic occasion. The wireless station was decommissioned in 1967 with a Telecommunications Museum established on the site in 1979, as an important reminder of the early days of radio in Western Australia and as a site protected by the State’s heritage laws and recognised for its significant contribution to telecommunication links between Australia and the rest of the world. ...

Wireless Hill Future – Part 2 of 6 In September 1911 the land for the Applecross wireless station site was purchased by the federal Government, and construction of the wireless station commenced. Once commissioned, the facility provided important all-weather radio communications with the outside world. The wireless station was the Western Australian component of a network of five main radio communication stations across Australia that participated in international, national, state-wide and regional radio communications and broadcasting. It is important to note that of the original wireless...

Wireless Hill Future – Part 3 of 6 Before the advent of television, radio reigned supreme. Rather than have scenes depicted visually, the listener had to imagine the activity being enacted. This enabled the mind to conjure up wonderful imagery which was masterfully assisted by the high quality of drama presentation, with actors voices, mood music and incredible sound effects. For youngsters wishing to follow their favourite serial in bed, without disturbing their sleeping family, it was popular to employ the simple crystal set and headphones to listen discretely whilst cuddled up in bed....

Wireless Hill Future – Part 4 of 6 From 1912, the Applecross Wireless Station provided important all-weather radio communications with the outside world. The wireless station was the Western Australian component of a network of five main radio communication stations across Australia that participated in international, national, state-wide and regional radio communications and broadcasting. It is important to note that of the original wireless stations across Australia, only the Applecross wireless station still remains in its original form. The sinking of the Titanic in 1912 showed the...

Wireless Hill Future – Part 5 of 6 In the 1950s and 1960s some of the equipment looked like the old fashioned science fiction contraptions from a mad scientists laboratory, reminiscent of the sets found in the 1930s and 1940s black and white cinema matinee serials. It was bulky and populated with many vacuum tubes, which often glowed and flickered in the dark. Technicians and operators had to wear a white shirt with tie, dark trousers and black shoes at TVW back then, and a dust coat on many occasions. Otherwise the uniform was white overalls with a red embroidered TVW7 emblazoned across...

Wireless Hill Future – Part 6 of 6 The City of Melville commissioned a survey into community needs between 1995 and 2005 and has evidence that visitors to Wireless Hill Park go mainly for recreational purposes. Sight seeing, exercise, picnics, playground, wildflowers and birdlife. Our conversations with people passionate about the subject indicates there is a belief in the wider community that a Telecommunications and Broadcasting Museum should exist in this State. A better publicised venue that stays open and is convenient to all Western Australians. Not to be seen as a dusty collection,...