Dave Berinson copied advice of this to Kevin Campbell, who in turn has copied it to colleagues who either worked with or were associated with Russel Perry.

    Kevin said that, “He was a champion “bloke” in all respects and his death is very sad indeed.”

    Richard Ashton added, “Golly, my old boss, what a sad loss. I used to help with some of his Rugby shows. I agree with you Champion bloke. Good TVW management man too, including Telethon.”

    Russel Perry was employed by TVW Enterprises between 1974 and 1983. He was a journalist from 1974 to 1977 when he became Station Manager. There was a big upheaval at Seven in 1981, shortly after the Holmes à Court takeover when most of the senior executives of TVW started leaving: Howard Shephard (1981), Joseph Sweeney (1981), Max Bostock (1982), Bill McKenzie (1982), Russel Perry (1983), J Barrey Williams (1983), Alf Binks (1983), Ken Kemp (1983), Marion Leyer (1985), Bob Page (1985). Russel was the Corporate Relations Manager at the time of his departure.

    Rugby WA Chairman Dr Russel Perry AM passed away on Sunday, 12 July at the age of 68 after battling Motor Neurone Disease.

As reported by David Berrie in the Rugby WA community club news…

Dr Perry’s contribution to WA rugby spanned more than four decades, including a creditable playing career with UWA and representing Western Australia in the early 1970’s.

He later held posts as President of the WA Rugby Union Referees’ Association, member of the National Referee Coaching Advisory Board (1995-2000), and Secretary/Trustee for the WA Old Golds Rugby Foundation (1995-2000).

His association with RugbyWA featured appointments as Chairman of the Judiciary Board (1988-1997), and sat on the RugbyWA Board as a member (2006-2009) and Deputy Chair (2010) before his appointment as Chairman in 2011.

He is a Life Member of RugbyWA, the University of WA Rugby Club and the WA Rugby Referees Association, and in 2012 received a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia for his services to rugby in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, that also recognised his service to the community in urban design, and to the education and training sector.

Dr Perry was highly regarded in Perth’s business sector, most recently holding the position of Chairman of Stirling Capital and was the senior executive responsible for two award-winning property developments – Ellenbrook and Capricorn at Yanchep. He is a former Station Manager of Channel Seven (Perth) and one-time senior executive with Bond Media.

He was a member of the Nedlands Golf Club for almost 10 years and a former President and Life Member of the Urban Development Institute of Australia (WA).

He was also a member of the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal, and held the position of Chairman of the Governing Council for the West Coast Institute of Training.

He leaves behind a long list of notable achievements which made him renowned in the areas of business, urban design, education and training across WA.

Dr Perry is survived by his wife, Felicity, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Philippa.

The Memorial Service to celebrate the life of the late Russel John Perry AM of Nedlands will be held in the HBF Stadium, 100 Stephenson Avenue, Mt Claremont at 1.30pm on WEDNESDAY afternoon (22.7.2015). Parking – car park attendants will direct those attending to allocated parking areas.

Facebook entries…

Murray Korff: So very sad. Russel was a true gentleman. I worked with him at Bond Media and again when he was at Ellenbrook. RIP Russel.

Graeme: Sad news. Condolences to his family.

Peter Croft: What a surprise and shock. Russel was one of the good guys. He was at the 2009 reunion and seemed OK then. This is sad.

Richard Ashton: I agree Peter;

Adrian Chambers: A really great bloke. And as smart as they come. I had no idea. RIP Russel.

Lesley Bradford: I am shocked by Russel passing away. We were going to have a catch up coffee when I got better. I didn’t know he was ill, but with that dreadful illness, he is now at peace.

The WA TV History Public Facebook page (Click Here).

Facebook comments from Members of the broadcasting fraternity (Click Here).

Published in: The West Australian
Saturday, 18 July 2015

PERRY (Russel ): Our deepest sympathy to Felicity, Philippa and Liz on the loss of a loving husband and father who will be truly missed. We are all thinking of you.
The University of Western Australia Hockey Club.

PERRY (Russel):
To Felicity, Ken and all the Perry family who mourn the loss of Russel Perry, our deepest sympathy.
From all at Ochre Contemporary Dance Company Board and Staff Louise Howden-Smith.

PERRY (Russel):
Sympathy to Felicity, Philippa and Elizabeth on the sudden sad loss of Russel. It was a privilege to deal with him at WCIT Joondalup and the Wanneroo Business Association. His expertise and friendship will be greatly missed in the northern suburbs.
Hon Michael Mischin MLC

PERRY (Russel ): Heartfelt condolences to Pip, Felicity and Liz on the loss of your adored Dad and husband. I will remember and miss his wise counsel, the warmth of his greeting, those twinkling eyes and his sense of humour. A great contributor who made a difference. May he rest in perfect peace. With love
Liza Harvey and family xx

Published in: The West Australian
Friday, 17 July 2015

PERRY (Russel):
Our love and thoughts are with Felicity, Phillipa, Elizabeth and Ken. A wonderful cousin and true gentleman. We treasure the memories of growing up together. Taken from us far too early.
Richard and Jan, John and Dianne and families.

PERRY (Dr Russel):
Deepest sympathy to all friends, family and colleagues of Dr Russel Perry. He was an inspiration as a client, mentor and friend to us over many years.
Russel will be sadly missed by the team at EPCAD.

PERRY (Russel):
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Russel such a fine fellow in all respects. Condolences to his brother Ken and to all of Russel’s family.
Paul and Anne Conti.

PERRY (Russel ): Dear Russel
An inspiration,
A special mentor,
Often a very funny rascal,
Always the silo-breaker!
A fellow Life Member from the same day,
Unique, wise, and astute,
Always respected.
A devastating loss.
We will miss you.
Peter Bowyer

PERRY (Russel):
Why do some of the best go first? Russel made such a significant contribution to WA Rugby and will be missed.
Our deepest sympathy to Felicity and daughters.
Brian and Mary French

PERRY (Russel):
A huge part of the rugby family. He was “simply the best”, such a sad loss. Heartfelt sympathy to his loved ones.
Mal and Lorraine Siddons, Palmyra RUC.

PERRY (Russel ): Our sincere condolences to Felicity, Elizabeth and Philippa on the loss of their beloved husband and father. Russel made an outstanding contribution to St Hilda’s over many years, most recently as a member of our School Council. His work was invaluable to the establishment of a new Junior School at our Chidley Campus. We will greatly miss his wise counsel and wonderful sense of humour. His work is done. Rest in Peace.
St Hilda’s Council and School Community

PERRY (Dr Russel AM):
Russel was a man for all seasons. He was a high achiever in every field he pursued and was highly esteemed for his integrity and conscientious endeavour to advance the causes with which he was associated. This included a great contribution to the residential property industry. Our condolences to Felicity and his family. Nigel and Denise Satterley and the Satterley Property Group

PERRY (Russel ): Valued colleague and friend to us, a true gentleman and a champion for the property development industry, as well as his beloved sport of Rugby. You will be missed. Condolences to Russel’s family. Chris, Brett and Jayson, Benchmark Projects.

PERRY (Russel):
A great bloke and devoted family man who contributed so much to community and business. Deepest sympathy to Fliss, Philippa and Elizabeth. Glenda, Wolf and Kris Martinick.

PERRY (Russel): Deepest sympathy to Felicity, Philippa and Elizabeth on the loss of a great man. We had a close relationship with Russell from the time we arrived in Perth in 1968 and will miss him. RIP.
Alan and Jill Morton.

Published in: The West Australian
Thursday, 16 July 2015

PERRY (Russel):
In loving memory of a great brother-in-law to Jenny and Vernon, uncle to Jamie and Ashley and April. We will miss your leadership, guidance and support which you gave our family through tough times. Love always to Fliss, Pippa and Elizabeth.

PERRY (Russel):
Our deepest sympathy to Fliss, Pip and Zeba on the loss of your beautiful husband and dad. His spirit lives on through you. Love Ken and Margie

PERRY (Russel):
Deepest sympathy to Felicity, Philippa and Elizabeth on the sad passing of Russel so unexpectantly. We will miss him immensely, a wonderful man of intellect, integrity, humour and achievement. Dick, Betty, Bill, Katelyn and the extended Marmion family.

PERRY (Russel):
Dearest Russel John revered and beloved son-in-law of Liz, uncle of Graham and treasured nephew-in-law of Jocelyn Mary and John.
Always with us.

PERRY (Russel):
Heartfelt sympathy to Fliss, Pippa and Elizabeth on your sad loss. Thinking of you. Jon, Melanie, Chris and Neoma and families.

PERRY (Russel ): To our work colleague, friend and mentor, thank you for your time with us. We will always remember you with great fondness.
Our sympathies and thoughts are with Felicity, Philippa and Elizabeth.
Your friends at LWP Property Group

PERRY (Russel ): Will be missed by all who love rugby in WA. Appreciated for the gentle guidance in our frequent debates and for his friendship, wisdom, and support. It was my shout for our next lunch which is a small addition to a large debt. I will remember his final message: “Keep fighting the good fight”. Condolences and sympathy to Felicity, Philippa, Elizabeth, Ken, and family. John Welborn.

PERRY (Russel ): Deepest sympathy and condolences to Felicity, Elizabeth and Philippa on the sad passing of Russel.
He will be remembered as a man of immense integrity and wisdom.
David and Pauline Redpath

PERRY (Russel ): Farewell Russel, a respected colleague and friend in the development industry taken way too soon. Thanks for your support when it was needed most. My condolences to the family at this sad time. Mike Allen

PERRY (Russel):
The University Rugby Club family are deeply saddened at the passing of one of our Life Members in Russel. A remarkable man of great integrity, good humour and wisdom. He was the embodiment of everything that is great about the game of rugby.
A great friend of our club, a devoted servant to our code. He will be greatly missed.
Deepest sympathies to Felicity and family.
Players, Members and Friends of University RFC.

PERRY (Russel):
We acknowledge the outstanding contribution from a person who was passionate about providing a high standard of housing estates and making available his expertise to many persons and professions. Russel had the ability to communicate effectively with many people on complex issues and mentor them by passing on his knowledge and experience. He is sadly missed as a colleague, mentor and supporter. Deepest sympathy to the Perry family. Eric and Gretchen Lumsden.

PERRY (Russel):
Deepest sympathy to the Perry family on the sad passing of Russel. A respected member and leader of the land development industry. Management and Staff Whelans.

PERRY (Russel):
The Council and Members of the Urban Development Institute of Australia extend their condolences to the family of Russel Perry and the many people who knew and loved him.
Russel was a highly respected industry leader who touched the lives of many through his wit, intelligence and irrepressible sense of humour. Russel’s influence will be felt for generations through the prize winning communities he helped to create. He will be deeply missed by all.

PERRY (Russel ): Farewell to a lovely man of remarkable integrity. Russel’s warmth, enthusiasm, and sage advice will be greatly missed, but forever valued.
Felicity, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Karen Farley

PERRY (Russel ): Russel was an Authentic Gentleman in business and life and we provide our sympathies and commiserations to Russel’s family.
John Georgiou and Staff at Georgiou

PERRY (Russel):
Russel our fond memories of non-stop banter and laughter at Thursday morning golf, breakfasts and dinners, will stay with us forever.
Our deepest sympathy and love to Felicity and the girls.
DB and Elaine, Roger and Helen, Graeme and Rene.

PERRY (Russel ): Such a gentleman, who bought the local community of Yanchep and Two Rocks together in so many ways. Sharing your wisdom, Integrity sense of humour and always prepared to assist with a smile! On behalf of the Yanchep Two Rocks Tourism Network Inc and TRYCAN may you Rest in Peace.

PERRY (Russel ): Our hearts go out to Felicity and her girls, Russel was a great guy. We will miss his big smile and passion for life. Our thoughts are with you. Brent and Michelle Stewart

PERRY (Russel):
West Coast Institute Governing Council and Staff extend deepest sympathy to family and friends on the passing of Doctor Russel Perry AM. Our esteemed Chair from 2005-2015, Russel’s contribution was significant, leading WCI with wisdom, vision and humour.
He will be much missed.

PERRY (Dr. Russel AM):
A fine gentleman of many accomplishments. A tragic loss. Condolences to Felicity and family. Malcolm and Tonya McCusker

PERRY (Russel):
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Felicity and family during this sad time. From all of us at Cottesloe Rugby Club.

Published in: The West Australian
Wednesday, 15 July 2015

PERRY (Dr Russel AM):
Deepest sympathy to the Perry family at this sad time. Russel was a development industry champion and will be sorely missed.
From the Directors and Management Cedar Woods Properties Limited.

PERRY AM (Dr Russel ): The WA rugby community celebrates the life and contribution of our RugbyWA Chairman.
Player, referee and administrator – someone who loved our game and always upheld its values.
Our thoughts are with his wife Felicity, and daughters Elizabeth and Philippa. With love and fond memories from the RugbyWA and Western Force Family.

PERRY (Russel):
Our thoughts are with Fliss, Pip and Zeebs. A gentleman taken too soon. Love Dina and Rob.

PERRY (Russel):
In memory of our dearest Russel. What an incredible man, what an incredible life, what an incredible loss. We will forever hold you in our hearts and your girls in our arms.
Love, the other Perry girls, Pam, Catherine and Alison.

PERRY (Russel):
Our thoughts are with Felicity, Elizabeth and Philippa at this sad time. Russel was an achiever and a contributor, as well as being a good mate. It was an honour to know him. Brian and Judy.

PERRY (Dr Russel):
Condolences to the family on the passing of Russel at this sad time. Committee, members and staff at the Nedlands Golf Club.

PERRY (Russel ): Deepest sympathy to Felicity, Elizabeth and Philippa from everyone at Capricorn Village Joint Venture

PERRY (Russel):
Sincere condolences to Felicity, Elizabeth and Philippa. Rusty was a good man who lived a full life and gave great advice.
RIP
Ian and Margaret

PERRY (Russel):
Today I mourn the passing of a really good man and a friend for over 40 years, undeservedly struck down so quickly by this terrible affliction. My heartfelt condolences to Felicity, Philippa and Elizabeth. Peter Bailey.
PERRY (Russel):
WA Old Golds Rugby Club Members are deeply saddened by the passing of Russ, an inaugural club member and tourist and a top man both on and off the field. A man of great ability, integrity and humour, he will be missed by all who knew him. Our deepest sympathy to Felicity and daughters.

PERRY (Russel ): Our sympathy goes to the Perry family on the loss of Russel, a respected leader in and hard worker for the vocational training sector in Western Australia.
The Department of Training and Workforce Development team.

PERRY (Russel):
Our heartfelt sympathy to Felicity, Philippa and Elizabeth. A wonderful gentleman who pursued his interests with passion and wisdom.
Fond memories. Karen and Bill.

PERRY (Russel ): A man of great integrity who will be greatly missed. Your guidance and friendship will never be forgotten. May you now rest in peace.
The Board and staff of Stirling Capital.

PERRY (Russel):
Good friend, respected colleague and trusted confidante. He was passionate, loyal and committed and he made a difference in so many areas. He will be sadly missed. Our condolences to Felicity, Phillippa, Elizabeth, Ken and families. Our thoughts are with you. RIP Russel. Geoff and Lyn Stooke.

Perry (Dr Russel AM):
The Chairman of the Western Australian Planning Commission, the Director General of the Department of Planning and staff offer sincere sympathy to Mrs Felicity PERRY and family on their sad loss.

Dr Russel Perry AM was a highly-valued and much-respected member of the Western Australian Planning Commission. His significant contribution to the development of liveable Western Australian communities, and in particular to the field of urban design, is acknowledged and greatly appreciated.
Rest in Peace.

PERRY (Russel):
Our deepest sympathy to family and friends on the passing of Russel. We are all richer for having spent some time together and will miss the banter and gentle fade off the tee. RIP Russel, Carringbush Wanderers Golfers.

PERRY (RUSSEL ): Our sincere condolences to the Perry Family on the sad passing of Russel. From the Management and Staff at RJ Vincent and Co

PERRY (Russel):
Condolences to Felicity and the family. Russel was a well regarded and well liked representative of the development industry. A client of ours for close to twenty years. Sad loss for everyone.
Cossill & Webley Engineers

PERRY (Russel ): Our deepest sympathy to Felicity, Pippa and Elizabeth at this saddest of times. Russel was a much admired friend and colleague since our Uni days. He will be greatly missed by George and Robyn.

PERRY (Russel):
Great memories of our times together at UWA and Western Force rugby. Deepest sympathy to Felicity, Elizabeth and Pippa.
Rob and Sandy Viol.

PERRY (Dr Russel AM):
I am so lucky to have found you as a partner in growing West Coast Institute over almost a decade. I will always be grateful for your leadership, your support and your warmth.
Sincere sympathy to Felicity and the girls you were so proud of.
Sue A Slavin.

PERRY (Russel):
Farewell to Russel, a truly good man, whose death has left so many people the poorer for his absence. His memory, however, will live long with those who were fortunate to know him. Love to Fliss and family. Arthur and Kath Hill.

PERRY (Russel):
Our sincere condolences to Felicity, Pippa and Liz on your sad loss.
Guy, Sara, Indi and Hannah French.

PERRY (Russel):
In loving memory of Russel, our intelligent, wise, kind friend. So many wonderful times of laughter, food and fun together for over 40 years. Much love from us all, to Fliss, Pippa and Zeba and Ken. From The First Wives Dinner Club. Tim, Ann, Sam, Nancy, Dave, Ros, Phil and Larell.

PERRY (Russel ): To our remarkable friend Rusty Peril, thank you for all the laughs, holidays, pizzas and cheeky smiles. Your friendship and selfless nature have meant the world to our family and we are all so lucky to have had such a wise, loyal and caring man to call our friend. We miss you already. All our love to Flissy, Pippa and Zeba at this sad time. Love Jilly, Katie, Ali and Clarey xox

PERRY (Russel ): Our deepest sympathy to Felicity, Lizzie and Pippa. Russel was a loving family man and true gentleman, respected by all who knew him. He will be missed. Robin and Neil Harvey, Katherine and Dwayne Lake

PERRY (Russel ): On behalf of the Western Australian Junior Rugby Community, the RugbyWA Junior Executive extends our sincere and heartfelt condolences to Felicity and family during this sad time. A true gentleman, who will be sadly missed.

Published in: The West Australian
Tuesday, 14 July 2015

PERRY (Russel ): Our thoughts are with Felicity, Elizabeth and Philippa. A wonderful uncle, Godfather and friend who was taken too quickly. Christmas just won’t be the same. Love and memories. Marika, Edmund and Michael

PERRY (Russel):
I miss you brother Russel. You taught me love, courage and wisdom. And see, they do play it in heaven. Ken.

PERRY (Russel):
DSR joins the rugby family and the broader community in mourning the passing of RugbyWA Chairman, Dr Russel Perry AM. Dr Perry’s highly esteemed stature in the community reflected his integrity and his involvement over decades of service to rugby, as-well as his numerous contributions to the business sector. He leaves a long lasting and hugely influential legacy.
DSR extends it’s condolences to Russel’s family especially his wife Felicity, and daughters Elizabeth and Philippa. From his colleagues at the Department of Sport and Recreation.

PERRY (Dr Russel AM):
Chairman of RugbyWA. Associates RUFC thank you for your extended commitment to rugby in our state and offer our condolences to your family in this sad time.

PERRY (Russel ): Condolences to Felicity, Philipa, Elizabeth and family on the sad passing of Russel. Board, CEO and staff of Racing and Wagering WA

PERRY (Russel): Cousin, colleague and much loved friend – one of the good guys gone far too soon. All our thoughts with Felicity and the girls – Ron, Ele, Sally, Kirsty and Julie.

    Channel Nine Perth is moving from Dianella into a new home at 253 St Georges Terrace in late 2016.

    It will have a state of the art fully digitised studio and an outdoor video wall.

This will cover approximately 2,500 sqm across three buildings.

    From next August, the viewing public will be able to come into the city and see what Nine Perth is doing close up, bringing the News to the community in a whole new way.

Channel Nine is moving to a new home

WA TV History
A glimpse of what Channel Nine Perth will look like when it moves to 253 St Georges Terrace in late 2016.

    The new location for Nine Perth is ideally positioned within close proximity to advertising agencies and key media buyers. The location will enhance Nine’s community involvement, with many events being held on-site, including opportunities for the public to meet the Channel Nine personalities.

    In 2013, Nine Entertainment Co, owner of the Nine stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin, purchased Perth’s STW Nine from regional broadcaster WIN.

    David Mott was then appointed the Managing Director of Channel Nine Perth in September 2013. Immediately prior to that, David Mott was the Chief Programming Officer at Network Ten from January 2003 to August 2013. Earlier, he was Head of Programming at Network Ten from 1997 to 2003 and Deputy from 1996 to 1997. Before Ten, David Mott was the Sydney Program Director at Seven from 1994 to 1996, after filling various programming roles at Seven Perth from 1978 to 1994.

    Mr Mott is well aware of the successful strategies employed by Sir James Cruthers in making TVW7 in Perth a constant rating winner. Much of this has to do with the station being perceived as an important part of the community. It will thus be interesting to follow the improving fortunes of Nine Perth with David Mott at the helm.

    Nine Perth turned 50 on 12th June 2015 with the station broadcasting an hour long feature to mark this occasion on Wednesday 17th June. That day, management and staff celebrated with a lunchtime party in Studio A, whilst sharing a giant cake prepared for the event.

STW Channel 9 opened on Saturday 12 June 1965

WA TV History
John Cranfield had Nine’s Michael Thompson and Terry Spence on 6PR’s “The Way We Were” to discuss the 50th Anniversary of STW 9. Nine Perth is broadcasting their 50th special at 8.30 pm on Wednesday 17th June 2015.

    Meanwhile Seven Perth and the West are trimming staff further, this time by releasing several executives. Two key people were the Director of Engineering and the most popular Promotions Manager.

    Interestingly, this is taking place at a time when the company will enjoy a great windfall from the sale of the old studios land. At the time of writing, the former TVW studios are now demolished, with nothing but the rubble to be cleared. Having gone the same way as the Perth Entertainment Centre… another TVW icon.

    The former Seven Promotions Manager has been fiercely loyal to the station for over thirty years and her innovation brought about this web site. She suggested we compile the TV Roll-Calls on our site, as they would be most useful in collecting names of veteran staff for TVW’s 50th anniversary in 2009. This proved successful in helping attract over 700 former staff to this wonderful function. Without her involvement, which extended to the planning of the event, the day would not have been possible. Nor would this web site have been possible, as she allowed us to freely access the station’s photo and publicity archives, from which much of our content was drawn. The TVW archives, started by Sir James Cruthers and his inaugural staff, kept wonderful records of not only the station but also historic records of the other stations, which proved of great value in extending our coverage to ABW2, STW9 and NEW10.

    Interestingly, a number of talented Seven staff have now made the transition to Nine. The wealth of experience David Mott brings to Nine will be considerable, as its unlikely that anyone left at Seven Perth has his vast programming knowledge in such an important position. Mr Mott began at Seven when Sir James Cruthers was at the helm, supported by key executives such as Max Bostock, Darcy Farrell, Bill McKenzie, Greg Byrne and the late Brian Treasure. The company was so successful that it was paying a 30% dividend by the time Robert Holmes a Court made his raid. Max Bostock and Bill McKenzie then went onto key positions at the TEN Network with Sir James joining Rupert Murdoch as one of his top advisers.

    We will be watching the fortunes of Nine Perth keenly to see the changes that take place with David Mott at the helm.

   Its Nine Perth’s turn to celebrate their 50th anniversary when the station broadcasts a special titled “50 Years – The Channel Nine Story” at 8.30 pm on Wednesday 17th June 2015.

STW 9 50th Anniversary Special – 8.30 pm Wednesday 17th June 2015

WA TV History
John Cranfield had Nine’s Michael Thompson and Terry Spence on 6PR’s “The Way We Were” to discuss the 50th Anniversary of STW 9. Nine Perth is broadcasting their 50th special at 8.30 pm on Wednesday 17th June 2015.

    STW veterans held a reunion at Peter Harries’ Royal Thai Restaurant in Mount Hawthorn on Friday 12th June 2015, where there was a capacity crowd of former staff in attendance.

    Peter hosted the occasion with entertainment provided by Kelly Green and Brenton Fosdike on vocals with Rod Christian and Dennis Bird providing the accompaniment.

    Nostalgic videos and slideshow, plus photo displays and albums provided many memories.

    Everyone was having a jolly good time with much catching up with old friends taking place.

Remembering Absent Friends with Alan Graham and Peter Harries

WA TV History
Remembering Absent Friends with Alan Graham and Peter Harries at the recent STW9 reunion at the Royal Thai Restaurant in Mount Hawthorn.

    Andrew Bayley has kindly provided a history of STW at…http://televisionau.com/2015/06/nine-perth-turns-50.html

When STW-9 commenced broadcasting on 12 June 1965.

STW9 Opening comment that 7 plus 2 equals 9

WA TV History
On the evening of June 12th 1965, at the opening ceremony of STW9, the Board Chairman Denis Cullity – a co-founder of Channel Nine in Perth, made the comment that 7 + 2 = 9.

The opening night’s programs on 12 June 1965 were:

•   
• 5.30 Montage of Perth: The people of WA at work and play.
•   
• 5.55 Official Opening: Premier David Brand officially opens Channel 9.
•   
• 6 The Cowboy and the Tiger: A young cowboy goes in search of a horse and finds a tiger.
•   
• 7 The World’s Greatest Showman: The film career of Cecil B. de Mille (1881-1959). With American silent film star Gloria Swanson (1899-1983), American film and stage actor James Stewart (1908-1997) and American actress Barbara Stanwyck (1907-1990).
•   
• 8.30 Television Spells Magic: The problems of building a television station and the preparations for its opening night.
•   
• 9.30 News and Weather
•   
• 9.45 All My Eye and Betty Martin Too: Satirical half-hour with Buddy Clarke.
•   
• 10.15 Feature Film: ‘Guys and Dolls’ with Jean Simmons, Marlon Brando and Frank Sinatra.
•   
• 12.45 Close

    The licence to operate Perth’s second commercial station was awarded to Swan Television in February 1964.

    The call sign STW stands for Swan Television, Western Australia and was the second commercial television station in Perth.

    Live shows were numerous during the 1960s-70s, with a great range of content produced from children’s, women’s, quiz, variety, talent quests for both children and adults, current affairs, religious, News and documentaries.

    In 1975, Appealathon was introduced on behalf of the Slow Learning Children’s Group. Since then it has supported four specific charities with Appealathon funds: the Activ Foundation, Civilian Maimed & Limbless Association, Paraplegic/Quadriplegic Association and Rocky Bay. Many other organisations are helped as well on a yearly basis.

    STW became the first station in Perth to broadcast 24 hours a day on 17 April 1984.

    In the late 1980s, Bond Media bought STW9 and it became a Nine Network owned and operated station when Alan Bond purchased the network.

    In 1989, Bond Media was forced to sell STW9 due to the new Federal cross-media ownership laws, which restricted the level of national reach for media owners. The station was sold to Sunraysia Television for A$95 million.

    Sunraysia was majority owned by Eva Presser, who owned more than 50% of the company’s stock. WIN Corporation owned another 43.65% of shares.

Later, Bruce Gordon’s WIN Corporation bought STW9 in 2007.

    In 2009, the station said it was scaling back its involvement with Appealathon after 30 years and has handed the administration over to Variety WA.

    In 2013, Nine Entertainment Co, owner of the Nine stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Darwin, purchased Perth’s STW Nine from regional broadcaster WIN.

   David Mott was then appointed the Managing Director of Channel Nine Perth in September 2013. Immediately prior to that, David Mott was the Chief Programming Officer at Network Ten from January 2003 to August 2013. Earlier, he was Head of Programming at Network Ten from 1997 to 2003 and Deputy from 1996 to 1997.

    Before Ten, David Mott was the Sydney Program Director at Seven from 1994 to 1996, after filling various programming roles at Seven Perth from 1978 to 1994.

   Mr Mott is well aware of the successful strategies employed by Sir James Cruthers in making TVW7 in Perth a constant rating winner. Much of this has to do with the station being perceived as an important part of the community.

    It will thus be interesting to follow the improving fortunes of Nine Perth with David Mott at the helm.

    STW-9 broadcasts from a transmitter mast located in Walliston in the Perth Hills beyond Kalamunda. Its operational base and studios are presently located at 9 Gay Street, Dianella, across the road from where Seven’s former studios were located… but are now demolished.

    Nine will be moving into St George’s Terrace, Perth in 2016, to a site up towards the Barracks Arch at 253 St George’s Terrace.

 

Tony Howes has kindly alerted us to the following event…

    On Sunday 31st May at 5pm in St George’s Cathedral, Perth, in a service celebrating “WA Day”, four new plaques will be blessed to commemorate the contribution to WA Heritage of pioneers of our theatre and arts worlds. The plaques are then placed on Australia’s only Theatre Memorial, which is housed in the West End of the Cathedral (similar to Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey). The four persons who have been nominated by interested persons and then authenticated by the Cathedral authorities are: CORALIE CONDON (the theatre and TV doyenne who died late last year), ALEXANDER (Tony) TURNER (playwright and illustrious head of ABC Radio Drama in Perth), EDWARD BEEBY (co-founder of the Patch Theatre) and JOHN NUGENT-HAYWARD (actor, musician, broadcaster and director).

    The Dean of Perth and the Cathedral Drama Consultant invite all who have an interest in theatre, TV and radio; plus any persons related or who knew the above or their families, to come to the service and to the remain for light refreshments, following. Apart from the dedication of the plaques, the service of sung evensong will feature the glorious music for which the Cathedral is well-known. Current arts’ practitioners will participate in the service. All are welcome!

    All of the people being honoured at the above ceremony should be remembered by veterans of theatre, radio, television and the cinema.

CORALIE CONDON

    We paid a tribute to Coralie Condon (1915-2014) on our web site at: http://watvhistory.com/2015/02/celebrating-the-life-of-miss-coralie-condon/ and our two part tribute to her, starting at: http://watvhistory.com/2015/01/part-1-tribute-to-coralie-condon-1915-2014/ Coralie was an actress, writer, composer, producer, presenter, business woman, the Grande Dame of Perth theatre and the First Lady of Western Australian Television.

ALEXANDER (Tony) TURNER

    Alexander Frederick Turner (1907-1993) was a playwright, poet and drama producer with the ABC in Perth from 1946 to retirement in 1972, though Tony continued producing plays on contract for many more years. He also had a great passion for making and collecting toy soldiers, which numbered several thousand. Among his other activities were music and book-binding, a skill he was taught at school in England.

EDWARD BEEBY

    Edward Beeby (1892–1984) was a musician, playwright and political activist who became a noted radio commentator on 6PM-AM during World War II.

    Edward was a son of Sir George Stephenson Beeby (1869–1942) known as Judge Beeby. Sir George was a journalist, barrister, politician, judge, novelist and playwright.

    Edward and his wife Ida, a former New Zealand singer, Ida Brookfield, came to Western Australia in 1939, though had no intention of staying. They were on their way to England, but because of the war were forced to cancel their trip. After a short time here they decided to open a studio from which to teach music and deportment. Mrs Beeby was a highly-trained musician who had studied under many famous teachers including Percy Grainger. She had composed many dance pieces, for which she also provided the choreography. Their theatre was named the Patch Theatre with its first curtain made entirely of fabric patches. It was located at Bon Marché in Hay Street (the store later became David Jones until the building was demolished).

    In 1942, the theatre moved to larger premises in Munster House, Murray Street, Perth. At the end of the World War II it became a training venue for boy actors such as Rolf Harris, Garry Meadows and John Gill. John Gill and Frank Baden Powell went on to create the Hole in the Wall Theatre in 1964.

Mr and Mrs Beeby retired from Patch in 1952, though sadly Mrs Beeby died tragically in a 1953 car accident.

JOHN NUGENT-HAYWARD

    John Nugent-Hayward’s real name was Harold Newton. He came to Australia in the 1920’s, with a background of Sandhurst, service in World War I, medical studies at London University, and a brief trading venture in Algeria. His family was musical, with his father a conductor, who had his son taught violin, clarinet and piano at an early age. Under his stage name he was recognised as one of Australia’s leading radio actors. Not only was radio extending music, news and information to the population, but cinema audience were also hearing for the first time the actors voices both in dramas and musicals. These two media had a profound effect on entertainment and the tyranny of distance for people living far and wide.

    With the advent of sound with motion pictures, there was a great impact on the many professional musicians who supported the silent movies. Much unemployment resulted in this field until Harold Newton, formed the Perth Symphony Orchestra in 1928. His brother Percy Newton was also a founder of the orchestra. Percy was the first principal clarinet from 1928 until 1946. He taught the next principal clarinet player, Alan Rule, as well as Jack Harrison. Alan Rule and Jack Harrison taught the current principal clarinet of WASO, Allan Meyer.

    By 1930, the orchestra was providing subscription concerts in the Town Hall. Many of these were broadcast by the radio station 6WF. Harold conducted the Perth Symphony Orchestra for six years, whilst seeing its members increase from 37 to 70. He joined 6WF as an announcer and first violin, and took on the mixed bag of duties then expected of a radio man – writing scripts and plays, acting, and running the children’s session. In those early days he was known as Harold (“Duffie”) Newton.

    For many years he was thought of as Western Australia’s only film star, being a featured player in the 1946 Australian epic “Overlanders,” which stared Chips Rafferty (as Dan McAlpine), John Nugent Hayward (as Bill Parsons) and Daphne Campbell (as Mary Parsons) – when fear of a Japanese invasion in Australia causes cattlemen to push their herds overland from one side of the country to the other. Earlier he had appeared in a short film entitled South West Pacific, that was made in 1943, and a range of other shorts.

    Nugent-Hayward then went on to star as the first Dr. Neil Gordon in the ABC serial by Gwen Meredith called “Blue Hills.” This rural saga ran from 1949 to 1976. It notched up 5795 episodes.

 

More information on the dedication of Memorial Plaques for the Theatre Memorial Board can be found at: https://www.perthcathedral.org/Event/worship/2015/05/31/evensong-for-wa-day.html

As reported by the West Australian

The memorial is an initiative of Anglican Dean of Perth John Shepherd, a prominent arts supporter.

The Playhouse Theatre – the scene of many of Perth’s greatest stage memories – stood for more than 50 years next on Pier Street next to the cathedral before it was demolished in 2012 to make way for the redevelopment of the cathedral precinct.

“This is a first move in commemorating the State’s artistic heritage in this way,” Dr Shepherd said. “I see it as a forerunner of similar memorials to musicians and ‘fine art’ creators.”

The dedication ceremony will be held at St George’s Cathedral at 5pm on Sunday, WA Day.

The idea emerged after the 2012 death of Metcalfe, the director and actor known as “Mr Playhouse”, whose friends asked Dr Shepherd to accept and dedicate a garden seat in his honour in the cathedral grounds. This encouraged Dr Shepherd to consider a memorial in the south-west corner of the cathedral itself.

Cathedral drama consultant Anthony Howes came up with the initial list of 30 honourees after consulting Museum of Performing Arts curator Ivan King and other theatre figures.

He hoped Theatre Corner might become over time as significant to WA theatre as Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey was to literature.

 

 

 

Capital Radio story on coming TVW-SEVEN Reunion

    Tony Howes of Capital Radio 101.7 FM interviews Keith Bales a veteran of 6KY, TVW7, STW9, News Corporation, Walt Disney and many other ventures about the latest reunion of television staff in Perth, Western Australia.

    This is a last call for former TVW-SEVEN staff who wish to partake in a Reunion on Sunday April 19th, 2015.

    We keep losing key people every year from the pioneering era in Western Australia, hence the urgency to have another reunion before it is too late for the older contingent.

    The event will be held at the Moon and Sixpence at 300 Murray Street, Perth. The traditional British Pub located near the corner of William Street and Murray Street. This event will be happening between 2pm and 5pm on April 19th, 2015, with an option to kick on until closing time.

2015 TVW-SEVEN Reunion Promo

WA TV History
Tony Howes of Capital Radio 101.7 FM interviews Keith Bales a veteran of 6KY, TVW7, STW9, News Corporation, Walt Disney and many other ventures about the latest reunion of television staff in Perth, Western Australia.

Full details on the 2015 TVW-SEVEN Reunion can be found at…
More on 2015 TVW-SEVEN Reunion on April 19th

    Tony Howes and Dale James present their popular magazine style radio program, Capital Events, which can be heard on Capital Radio 101.7 FM & Capital Digital from 6 to 8 pm each Thursday.

Capital Radio 101.7 FM in Perth – Capital Events

WA TV History
Tony Howes and Dale James explain what they are trying to achieve by informing and entertaining seniors in Perth, Western Australia, in presenting their popular magazine style radio program, Capital Events.

Capital Events is a radio program that can now be heard all over the world, courtesy of the Internet.

    “Capital Events” is now in its 35th week to air. It is produced by Tony Howes and presented by him with colleague Dale James and is heard on Capital Radio 101.7 FM & Capital Digital from 6 to 8 pm each Thursday. Its brief: to promote the arts in all their forms, and, especially, the people who make them happen; to inform about events happening in and around Perth that reflect “community”; to feature music performed by WA artists, wherever possible; and to present music of all styles. Since it began, programme guests have included Alison Fan, Stephen Bevis, Stephen Scoufield, Jenny Davis, Rick Hearder, Ian Westrip, Justin Freind, Trudy Dunn, Alan de Lacy, Felicity Kendall, Sarah Mulcahy, Fiona Campbell-Smith, Sandra Gorringe, Joan Pope, Digby de Bruin, Jenny Hayes, Libby Hammer, Sarah McNeill, Duncan Ord – and a whole lot more! Archival style recordings also feature: original Australian casts of music theatre such as “Godspell” and “The Sentimental Bloke”, etc.

    The WA TV History web page research team of Richard Ashton, Gordon McColl and Ken McKay will be busy seeking out amusing accolades from interesting folk in the performing arts and veterans of Radio, Television and the Cinema industries. We’ll be doing this to aid Tony Howes in his quest to promote the arts and entertainment happenings, even if they mainly be about the behind the scenes accidents and pranks.

The Capital Radio web site is…
http://www.capitalcommunityradio.com/

Capital Radio interview on WA Television History

WA TV History

    Many pranks were played among staff in the pioneering days of television in Western Australia. Its a side of broadcasting the public never saw.

    There were many aspects to working for a television station in Perth during the pioneering era. Each station had its culture, often impacted from the top down by the organisation’s philosophy, but also from the bottom up depending on how much initiative the rank and file were permitted and how much latitude to muck about.

    A great working environment was one where it felt like a family, where staff not only worked hard but also played hard too, each looking out for the other.

   ABC Television depended on a tight working team more than everyday radio, for the radio announcers often had a great input on selecting the music and content. Though this changed at the ABC when each show was given a producer and journalistic skills became more important than having a person with golden tonsils who could speak proper.

   ABC Television could also be influenced by the shift leaders. Running the shift as if it was a military operation did not always prove harmonious should the leader be too autocratic and dictate rather than let capable people get on with the job. Other shifts could be less stressful where the leader maintained not only an efficient team, but also a happy one.

    The early days at TVW Channel Seven comprised a team of people who learnt on the job and often looked out for each other. They were like a family with input coming from all members of the team. During the pioneering era, the average age of the staff was relatively young, including that of many of the upper managers.

    There was much fraternising both on the job, in the staff canteen and socially outside of work. Many long term friendships were formed and in some cases marriages. There was also great latitude for pranksters in the early days.

    The ABC in comparison was a much older organisation, and thus had staff in a older age bracket, and in particular some of the supervisors and managers. It also had the mindset of a government department, being more bureaucratic than a younger and smaller establishment.

    Many in Western Australia felt that the ABC Radio folk operated more like a family, with great camaraderie between the workmates. In television, a lot would depend on which area a person was allocated to, as the culture tended to vary between technical and production folk. In some shifts there was great cooperation, whereas on another there may be a them and us situation.

    The early ABC announcers portrayed an upper British appearance and sound, when the policy was to emulate the BBC. Yet those same folk, who may appear stuffy on-air, were often very clever and witty in person and good fun.

Many pranks were also played by ABC staff… depending on how conducive the environment was at that time.

Related stories:

• More on 2015 TVW-SEVEN Reunion on April 19th
• 2015 TVW-Seven Reunion
• A Historic Era of Television Activity is Coming to a Close for Seven Perth
• Last Seven Perth News from the Dianella Studios
• Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr celebrate 30 years reading Seven News together
• Life and Work on the Other Side of Your TV Screen

Crisis for Local Community Television

    Since multi-channel free-to-air television went digital, the amount of program choices has increased, but its not always what the public wants. The viewer is heading online to satisfy their needs, with the government and free-to-air station’s answer for more eyeball fodder, being the abundance of dedicated shopping channels that swell our airwaves. Channels that are devoid of program content are not in the spirit of the original TV licensing conditions set in 1956, for stations showing non-stop commercials do not involve community enriching content. No one in their right mind would have suggested that in the pioneering era, nor would the audience have accepted it. This shows how fickle government policies can be, and we can only image what Canberra may have in store for us in coming years, if viewer apathy persists. In fact this disinterest is manifest in the viewers going elsewhere for their content, so in the long run, the free-to-air stations are shooting themselves in the foot for short term profitability in a shrinking market. As research shows that demand for newspapers and traditional television delivery are on the decline, and will eventually go the same way as sailing ships, horse and carts, steam engines and the Dodo bird… except probably for immediate content such as important breaking News and Sport, that is of a live nature. This explains why the Australian networks are dabbling with streaming content, to establish a foothold before they are blitzed by the likes of Netfix and Apple TV providing alternate forms of delivery for US networks and cable production houses.

    An interesting trend that provides insight into how future citizens will consume their content is provided by the incredible popularity of the British cartoon icon Peppa Pig, which can be found several times a day on the ABC’s children channel in five-minute episodes. The show has millions of screaming pre-school fans worldwide and has the ABC managing director Mark Scott saying that Peppa Pig and iPads are the future of TV, for there’s just that sense of ‘I want Peppa Pig and I want it now’. More than 70 per cent of ABC iView’s traffic comes via mobile devices, 16 per cent from the ABC website and 14 per cent through connected TVs.

    This is a strong indicator that as the pre-schoolers grow up, they’ll be conditioned to watching shows on demand, so the public expectation will be that technology will seamlessly deliver their viewing experience when they want it and not when some network scheduler dictates.



    The current five channels that provide non-stop shopping promotion include eXtra one and two, TVSN, Spree TV and 4ME. The other stations also dabble with home shopping, and can’t help but notice that the current affairs shows also venture into product promotion.



    Apparently the Federal Government thinks that this on-air activity is more important than keeping the community television stations, such as WA’s West TV, on the airwaves, now that Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has indicated he will shift community television to Internet streaming. Technology the younger generation is more familiar with, thus disenfranchising the older generations, robbing the community TV stations of much of their audience. It makes one think that the politicians are brain dead, for there’s no end to poor decision making when it comes to regulating the media. Much as they think that century old telephone wires are the way to distribute the Internet, rather than fibre optic to each home and business. The same politicians also have been pushing the use of coal power over renewable energy, despite being ridiculed by the leaders of other nations.



    Meanwhile the spectrum used by community television may be allocated to a fourth commercial channel or auctioned off for millions of dollars and used to provide new services such as high-speed mobile broadband or other data services.

    The government obviously measures community good in how much the treasury gains and the perceived uses it can be put to by the business sector, rather than enriching the community at large. Governments have a tendency for making poor decisions when judged over the long term. The commercial broadcasters are worried about declining profitability should they lose audience share and advertising revenue. So a fourth commercial channel will have adverse consequences on the existing licensees.

    I guess the outcome will depend more on who has the most effective lobby, rather than what the electorate really wants.

    Whenever a business model is perceived as not fulfilling community needs, alternate schemes come into being. Much depends on the social conscience of the government of the time to meet unfulfilled public wishes, otherwise not-for profit bodies attempt to fill the void. The Perth Institute of Film & Television (PIFT) was incorporated in 1971, then merged with Frevideo ten years later to become the Film & Television Institute WA Inc in 1982. They were established as video production and training centres that could be used to produce television programs. Community television stations evolved to provide a vehicle to distribute this content to the public.

    Some portions of the commercial sector of yesteryear also had a social conscience in fostering skills in the program making field. In 1972, TVW was instrumental in establishing The Channel 7 Young Film Makers’ Awards to encourage youngsters. This was then followed up with The Young Writers’ Award in 1976, The Young Ballet Dancers Award in 1979 and The Young Photographers Award in 1980.

    Community broadcasting was pioneered by radio, with Australia’s first community station being Radio Adelaide (5UV), which was licensed in 1972.

    The community broadcasting sector is largely self funded. The Australian Government provides some funding support through the Department of Communications (DOC), distributed through the Community Broadcasting Foundation.

    The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for the licensing of community broadcasting services.

The community radio station types include:

• General Community (Geographical Area based stations)
•   
• Religious stations, usually Christian, now includes Muslim services
•   
• Youth (Student and general youth stations)
•   
• Indigenous (Indigenous / Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islands)
•   
• Print Handicapped
•   
• Specialist Music (Broad or specific genre stations – e.g.: Classical, jazz etc.)
•   
• Progressive views (Modern, liberal, enlightened, innovative, avant-garde, reforming, radical, mainly talk based radio services)
•   
• Senior Citizens (Over 60’s – oldies music for senior citizens)
•   
• Sport

This is manifest in Perth as the following services:  

• 990AM: 6RPH – Information Radio (Print Handicapped)
•   
• 92.1FM: 6RTR – Arts Radio (Arts/Specialised Music)
•   
• 95.3FM: 6EBA – Multicultural Radio & TV (Ethnic)
•   
• 98.5FM: 6SON – Good News Broadcasters (Religious – Christian)
•   
• 100.9FM: 6NME – Peedac (Aboriginal)
•   
• 100.1FM: 6NR – Curtin University (Educational)
•   
• 101.7FM: 6SEN – Capital Community Radio (Seniors)

    Meanwhile, community television provides ‘open access’ television to all members of the community, including educational institutions, independent film makers, ethnic and specialist interest groups and local businesses. ‘Open access’ means that anyone can apply to have a program shown on television. It also means that anyone can join a community station and learn about producing and presenting television programs, and how to run a television station.



    In principle, this is a model of facilitating media production and involvement by private citizens.

    With the commercial and ABC television stations now all emanating programs from the east coast, and production also centred there. There has been a great decline in the number of hours of true local production.

    The Community television stations can buck this trend if the authorities do not put obstacles in their way. Taking them off the air is certainly a deterrent for sponsors to support them if their audience can no longer receive them on their television sets.

    For community television stations rely on sponsorship arrangements to cover their day-to-day running costs. Unlike advertising, the sponsor’s announcement must acknowledge the financial support of the sponsor for the station.



    This is how our politicians can subtlety kill off those who are servicing the community, but do not have the lobbing power of the big media owners.

    Poor policies and economic pressures will eventually lead the traditional media to fall into the hands of fewer people, who are not necessarily providing better services. Just look at how News Ltd has its own agenda and acts as king maker at election time.

Will this matter in the long run?

    Firstly, it can have an adverse impact on democracy if the News services send the public astray with misleading information.

    Secondly, the conventional media may eventually become irrelevant with the youth heading to the Internet in droves or become increasingly occupied with computer games, rather than conventional entertainment. For the earning power of the games sector is now outstripping the earning capacity of Hollywood. Though history shows that once a new venture becomes successful, the old media barons then buy in to control the market. That does not mean that old minds are best at utilising new concepts. Take ‘Myspace’ as an example. News Corp took it over to only see its popularity plummet as they pushed this new media in directions that alienated the users, thus generating unprecedented losses. Facebook then took the lead, as the young entrepreneurs were better tuned in to what young people want, and responded with clever innovation to fill the void.



    As much of this innovation is taking place overseas, our local politicians are powerless to stop them. Which is probably a good thing when one uses the analogy of a Camel being a Horse designed by a committee, and the painful though hilarious truths being revealed when satirical programs lampoon parliament in comedies such as ‘Yes Minister’. The parliamentary system seems not to have improved since that 1980s comedy series, as we presently can witness with the broken promises, muddled and ever changing policies and resistance met in the two houses on the hill.

    If conventional television continues to be centralised and controlled by Sydney and Melbourne whilst the platform becomes less relevant to the masses, then who is going to cater to the local community needs, if the government persists in harming community television broadcasters?

Further information…

ABC’s ‘Media Watch’ – Episode 10, Monday 6th April 2015

The future of TV

As audiences fragment and competition increases, commercial television is in the fight of its life.

Among the many points made in this program include:

Prime Time audiences on the free-to-air networks, including all of their digital channels, have dropped by four per cent since 2012.

And on the main channels, Seven, Nine, Ten, the ABC and SBS, that primetime audience has fallen by a quarter since 2008.

Over the last ten years free-to-air television has managed to hold onto around 30 per cent of the media ad market … but in 2014 for the first time it was beaten by online advertising.

Of the 10 top-rating TV shows in 2014, half were live sports, like the AFL grand final which had more than 2.8 million viewers, while the other half were reality TV shows, like my Kitchen Rules or Nine’s The Block which peaked around 2.7 million.

    Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull is proposing to abolish the 75 per cent audience reach rule which currently stops metropolitan TV stations buying regional stations.

    He’s also keen to scrap the rule that stops media groups owning more than two out of three in radio, TV and print.

    This can result in some big scale mergers in the future. With an impact similar to the creation of the big television networks where the individual stations lost their autonomy and control was centralised in Sydney and Melbourne. This would mean the final nail in the coffin for rural areas having their own independent television services. Once again meaning more media power in less hands.



    Over time, the politicians always seem to favour the big end of town, even if that is to the detriment of local community interests. Could you imagine it if this was taken further on an international basis, in a global economy, where Australia loses its identity and everything is centralised in New York, Los Angeles or London with one or two media owners pushing their own agendas in the supply of news and information?

    I don’t think that would be acceptable, like when Australia’s first television stations applied for their licenses, compared to what happens now. The most blatant example of this being turned on its head was when Channel TEN in Perth won its license following a big battle, after pledging to uphold local content. No sooner was the license granted than the station was sold to become part of a national network, controlled largely from the east.

    The legislatures needs to be held accountable for drafting workable laws which prevent these distortions, but while ever the electorate remains apathetic on these matters, the local community will suffer through increased centralisation.

    The more a community is fractured and the less people care about their neighbours, the more it harms society in general through alienation. An alienated youth is more likely to become rebellious and indulge in drugs and crime as established values are abandoned. They can soon become disenchanted if there is a perception that our leaders, or our system, is wanting and that it is beyond their control to make a difference.

    The community broadcasters are volunteers where greed is not a factor in the organisational structure. They are community minded people trying to provide a service that is lacking otherwise, where ratings and profitability have precedence over the wellbeing of others. There are cases where ‘what is good for business’ is not necessarily good for us all.

    If you are a student of the media, or just want an inkling of where things are heading, then we suggest you read the Media Watch transcript on-line at: http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s4211467.htm

Or view the show from the embedded video on the same web page.

The Media Watch program touches on other important factors that will shape the future of TV.

The views expressed here are those of Ken McKay.



   We ask if past and present staff of TVW wishing to attend the Seven Staff Reunion and Studios Wake on Sunday April 19th, 2015, can kindly please register your intent to participate.

This will be greatly appreciated so that catering arrangements can be made.

   The event will be held at the Moon and Sixpence at 300 Murray Street, Perth. The traditional British Pub located near the corner of William Street and Murray Street. This event will be happening between 2pm and 5pm, with an option to kick on until closing time.

   We need to know this so that your Name Identification tags can be created, which can then be waiting for you at the venue, on the day. In addition payment will be needed to cover the catering. The caterer will provide food according to the number who have paid before the event.

TVW Reunion to Commemorate former Tuart Hill Studios

Register for the Seven Studios Wake for Veterans and Staff Sunday April 19th, 2015 Please enter your details here, then press the Submit button.

Please Supply Your Details
First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
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We seek your intent to participate so that Name identification tags can be created, which will then be waiting for you at the venue. Please note that a payment of $25 per person will be needed upfront so that sufficient catering is provided.

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    Please note that a payment of $25 per person will be needed upfront so that sufficient catering is provided for all.

The entry fee must be paid in advance. This is so that platters of large finger food can be provided for your enjoyment and there will be our own cash bar within the venue, which is called The Stables, and is located inside at the rear of The Moon and Sixpence. Keith Bales is handling all the business aspects and will need to know from whom each payment is coming. He needs to know the names relating to the payment, for some people are making payments for multiple tickets.

Payments please to: Westpac Spearwood BSB  736-077 A/C   72-6899

Live entertainment will be provided by Perth’s King of Swing – Donald King.

    There will also be a big screen showing staff who worked at Seven and many fondly remembered happenings that took place over the previous 55 years, that the old studios existed.

    We take this moment to pause and reflect on the historical significance of those 55 years, and the remarkable things that were achieved.

    For those who lived and worked at TVW during this era, one can be forgiven for being misty eyed and lamenting its loss.



    As much as Western Australia has been an economic powerhouse during the mining boom years, our spectacular natural reserves an attraction to visitors, great efforts made to modernise the capitol Perth to make it people friendly with cosmopolitan features and the WA Academy of Performing Arts being a talent rich resource of future television, film and stage performers, things still happen here to insure we remain a backwater compared to Sydney and Melbourne.

   Think of all the great talent we have lost through production being sent east. TVW was an employer of many skills, with producers, directors, audio, lighting, graphic artists, engineers, presenters, dancers and singers being used on a daily or at least weekly basis. Then there were all the support staff and industries required, even if that be mounting extravaganzas at the Perth Entertainment Centre, big arena productions travelling Australia and overseas and at times taking a big tent for when a venue was lacking at various locations. There was also an investment in Australian movies such as The Man from Snowy River and The Cars that Ate Paris, etc.

    Queensland has built studios on the Gold Coast, and even though Perth has the weather of California and Hollywood, the work more often happens on the east coast.

TVW Staff over the Decades

WA TV History
This video covers a half century period and shows glimpses of staff of all crafts at work at TVW Channel Seven.

    The mind set has changed with the many owners since the raid on TVW shares starting in 1981 when Robert Holmes a Court gained control, then put under pressure by the stock market crash which followed and Alan Bond being at his heels. Christopher Skase then took control briefly until he took the network into bankruptcy, as a result of his other speculative ventures that went pear shaped. The entrepreneurial spirit that turned TVW into a powerhouse performer has now given way to centralisation where Sydney and Melbourne are the centres of the universe, rather that Perth being the trend setter.

    The historic TVW studios at Dianella could have been turned into a museum for the industry, rather than destined for demolition. It still would leave much land for redevelopment. The big spaces provided by Studios One, Two and Three offer a wonderful environment for showcasing everything from old equipment to performing arts memorabilia. Then theres the vast area that was once the set building workshop and storage areas. It would make a wonderful place to display the Christmas Pageant floats between annual parades. The empty TVW museum still exists, which could be repopulated with artefacts.

    Seven has a wonderful source of historic equipment in the form of cine and electronic cameras and old videotape machines. There’s even an old telecine machine and consoles. This could be made even better if the equipment collected by the Australian Museum of Motion Picture and Television (AMMPT) was also added. Then theres the wonderful art collection started by Sir James Cruthers. Former staff got a glimpse of some of the items kept by Seven at the 2009 50th Anniversary Reunion, but that was only scratching the surface. These items need to go on display, they should not be where mice can nibble away at them. The TVW film and videotape archives have been sent to Melbourne, though there remains a wonderful collection of publicity, photo archives and old art work in the form of caption cards. It would be great if much of this could go on permanent display.

Peter Croft’s 2009 Seven Reunion slideshow

WA TV History
Peter Croft and Peter Partridge set up equipment in Seven Perth’s Studio One as part of a display prepared by Keith Geary for the 50th Anniversary Reunion in October 2009.

    The founding fathers of TVW were always heritage conscious and community minded, keeping much as a reminder of how things were. Antique equipment such as a steam locomotive, tiger moth, vampire jet, canberra bomber, an early RAAF flight simulator, WWII Wirraway aircraft, a glider, TVW rally cars, trolly bus, vintage steam roller, the surrey with the fringe on top from the movie Oklahoma, a Bessemer Bus, Sir Robert Menzies’ car, the Governor General’s Rolls Royce, Lord Casey’s private car, and many other vintage vehicles.



    Richard Ashton points out many of the things that never came to fruition, that were in planning before the corporate raid on TVW. An amphitheatre for staging musical events and concerts, a hedge maze to get lost in to aid Telethon, a ride on mower race also in aid of Telethon, a haystack seeded with prize tokens where a number of public groups were given half an hour each to find them. The special events department was very active devising new projects to add to the Bath Tub Derby, Bird Man Rally, Milk Carton Regatta, Teddy Bears Picnic, and Money Brick Wall and Hole in One Day, all of which were events for the ordinary folk so that the station could maintain contact with the community, whilst raising money for charity.

The Halcyon Days of Unsophisticated Fun

WA TV History
The TVW Channel Seven special events department was very active devising new projects to raise money for charity.

    The younger generations will not remember much, if any of this, or be aware of the potential for more to happen if the corporate raiders did not make their move. After the downsizing in 1999, and now the new challenges against print and free to air television, different strategies are employed compared to the successful formula devised by WAN managing editor James Macartney and continued by Sir James Cruthers, for the newspaper and the television station to garner public support and remain prominent in the community.

    The 2015 TVW SEVEN Reunion will not only be a wonderful opportunity for the old gang to get back together, but also be a wake for a building which now represents a fondly remembered bygone era.

Related stories:

• 2015 TVW-Seven Reunion
• A Historic Era of Television Activity is Coming to a Close for Seven Perth
• Last Seven Perth News from the Dianella Studios
• Rick Ardon and Susannah Carr celebrate 30 years reading Seven News together
• Life and Work on the Other Side of Your TV Screen

WHEN	Sunday April 19th from 2pm-5pm
WHERE	The Moon and Sixpence, Murray Street just down from William. Parking abounds but The Organisers recommend best way is by train to The Perth Underground. Very short walk from there.
WHAT TIME	From 2pm through 5pm. Guests can stay on in the general bars and in our outside reserved area if they wish to “carry on” Cash bar.
REFRESHMENTS	Yes and for this and entry there is only a $25 charge which must be paid in advance. No door sales are expected. This will provide platters of large finger food for your enjoyment and there will be our own cash bar within the Venue-The Stables at the rear of The Moon and Sixpence.
PAYMENT	Payment should be made by Monday Wednesday April 15, 2015 by 5pm please by bank transfer of cheque to this account at Westpac Spearwood, WA.
	Westpac Spearwood BSB  736-077 A/C   72-6899
ENTERTAINMENT	Yes. Live entertainment and large video screen showing the history of TVW.
MASTER OF CEREMONIES	The Hon Gary Carvolth
SPEECHES	One VERY short and thank you.
THE VENUE	The Organisers are very grateful to the gracious offer of The Stables at the rear of the pub and an inside bar area and closed off garden area with our own dedicated TVW 2015 Reunion Bar and pretty Bar Staff.

MATES RATES ACCOMMODATION @ The Comfort Inn which is part of The Moon and Sixpence and on premise.

Standard Queen room including breakfast	$130 per night for the room
Superior or suite	$150 per night for the room

Intending Guests should contact The Wentworth direct on 9338 5000 OR info@wentworthplazahotel.com.au and quote TVW7 Reunion.

Perfect for a weekend in Perth City with everything on the doorstep for you?

Thank you to the Management for this deeply discounted offer. To The General Manager Mr Nigel Cameron and Miss Tanya Evans, The Functions Manager t.evans@wphotel.com.au

ANY OTHER ENQUIRIES-

Keith Bales   keithstuartbales@gmail.com



   The Australian Museum of Motion Picture and Television (AMMPT) not only conduct the Sunday morning Classic Movies at the Cygnet Cinema once a month, but also have regular In Focus Presentations, where historians or veterans of cinema or television describe some facet of their respective industries. This month AMMPT was graced with the presence of John Quicke, a former Chief Engineer at TVW Channel 7, who oversaw many important developments during the 1960s and 1970s.

    It should be pointed out that the insight and stories that are provided at these gatherings can not be found elsewhere. Little of this information has been recorded, published or even documented, until now.



    On the night, AMMPT’s Western Region President John Fuhrmann welcomed all present and then introduced former TVW Enterprises Managing Director Kevin Campbell to set the scene. Kevin then gave an outline of the era and a hint of where the industry will be going in the future, before introducing John Quicke.



    It was during John’s watch that many innovations took place at Seven. The design of TVW’s first outside broadcast van for the 1962 Commonwealth and Empire Games at Perry Lakes, the introduction of videotape, the expansion of facilities to include the biggest stage, Studio 1 and a new operational area, newsroom and News studio, the shell for Studio 3, Radio station 6IX’s new studios at Tuart Hill, a tower for OB purposes, an enlarged props area, the first satellite link between WA and the UK, to the initial purchase of colour enabled equipment starting with an RCA TK27 telecine chain and TR70 videotape machine, the upgraded presentation facilities for semi-automation called F.R.E.D. to the building of the Entertainment Centre, and many more key events.



    John tracked these happening from when Perth was little more than a large country town and the Dianella area was still bush. For it was this remote area of high elevation land that became the home of television in Western Australia.



    It required a pioneering spirit and a desire to learn more for the hard working team who built WA’s first TV station from nothing to broadcasting in only one year from when the licence was granted.



    It took a unique group of people to achieved this in an age of valve technology, and when the mains power supply was much less reliable than today. Core equipment was imported, whilst much of the infrastructure was fabricated in the company metal workshop. Located some 15 miles away was the transmitter site, with a tower that remains a hills landmark to this day.

    Technical staff were either trained in the military, in the radio and telecommunications industry or were keen Ham amateur operators. They all teamed together, to not only assemble the station, but also operate it from day one.

    Progress was rapid as the building and plant expanded to accommodate more production and a greater sophistication of content delivery.

    Within a decade or two, the company had absorbed a radio network, a South Australian television station, a chain of hard top and drive-in cinemas, a top photographic laboratory, a large arena style entertainment centre and even a lion park.

    Then external forces came to bear, with the middle east conflicts and oil price rises that led into a time of recession, followed by industrial strife, a price and wage spiral and then stagflation.

    It was during this difficult period that the Perth Entertainment Centre (PEC) was built, and John was faced with all manner of construction upheaval as concrete pours were halted half way through a job.

    Despite all these challenges, the task was done and Perth gained a fondly remembered iconic building, that lasted up until recent times.

    Around the same time, TVW Enterprises had gained control of City Theatres and built Cinema City on the corner of Barrack and Hay Streets in Perth, fortunately this development escaped the problems the PEC encountered and came in on budget.

    There was insufficient time on the night for John to cover the PEC story in great detail, so this subject will be another AMMPT and John Quicke presentation at a future date.

    The story John conveyed on the night, was that of a technical person explaining the challenges and logistics of making this all happen when everyone involved was a pioneer who most often learnt on the job. For the infrastructure they put together allowed television programs it be broadcast in Perth for the first time. Shows that were either purchased as film programs from overseas or shows produced locally. Most local content was live or filmed News stories, until videotape was introduced, which then enabled the exchange of Australian shows between stations in other States.

Engineering TVW7 in the 1960s and 1970s – Part 1 of 4

WA TV History

    Former Chief Engineer John Quicke explains not only his origins, but also the origins of Western Australia’s first television station, which opened in 1959. Perth was then very much a backwater, the most isolated city in the world, which was really little more than a big country town. The builders and engineering crews were given only one year to establish the station from scratch. Most of the team had not seen television before, yet they achieved this task and on opening night the presentation was as polished as any other, that had been at it for years.

   John tells this story from the viewpoint of a person who was there, and how this all came about.

Engineering TVW7 in the 1960s and 1970s – Part 2 of 4

WA TV History

   Former Chief Engineer John Quicke tells his audience about the technology of the time. How television was achieved before the introduction of videotape and where all programming was either on film or live. The equipment was using thermionic valves, that required constant testing, where much of the maintenance involved being a ‘valve jockey’.

   John touches on the selection and installation of the equipment, where the station then functioned with only two telecine chains, and one small studio with a couple of cameras.

    As primitive as this might seem, some remarkable results were being achieved on-air.



Engineering TVW7 in the 1960s and 1970s – Part 3 of 4

WA TV History

   With the 1962 Commonwealth and Empire Games set to happen in Perth, TVW needed outside broadcast facilities in a hurry. They decided to build their own OB Van, rather than buy a custom built one. This saved the fledgling broadcaster a sizeable amount of funds, for they also required videotape facilities, where this format had only been created six years earlier. It really was a pioneering era.



Engineering TVW7 in the 1960s and 1970s – Part 4 of 4

WA TV History

    It was a time of rapid change with equipment becoming more sophisticated and plentiful. The building was expanded with new studios, new Newsroom, the purchase of colour telecine and videotape facilities, building a much larger OB Van, the adoption of IBM data processing techniques and the introduction of semi-automation.



    The company also began to diversify by buying a radio network and another television station. They also became involved in big arena productions, which led to the building of the Perth Entertainment Centre.

    Soon after this, the company was paying dividends to shareholders of up to 30% on their investment.



We wish to thank Seven Perth, John Quicke, Gordon McColl, Mike Humphry, Richard Ashton and the late Frank Evans for the vintage photos related to TVW Channel 7 in Perth, Western Australia.

    Not only was Seven veteran Richard Aston present for the last News bulletin from the old studios, but he was one of the two studio cameramen for the opening of the station and the variety show and first News bulletin on Friday 16th October, 1959. Gordon McColl was the other cameraman.

    The invitation to witness the last bulletin on Sunday 22nd of February, 2015, was kindly extended to Richard by Chris Wharton, the Chief Executive Officer of Seven West Media WA.

Last Seven Perth News from the Dianella Studios

WA TV History
Channel Seven veteran of 40 years Richard Ashton, who was one of two cameramen on the stations first News broadcast in 1959, was kindly invited to be present at the final bulletin from the old Dianella studios (originally known as Tuart Hill) by the CEO of Seven West Media WA, Mr Chris Wharton.

   Remarkably, TVW’s first News boss Darcy Farrell is still working… and looking rather good. He is a fitness fanatic who was known for jogging to work each day from Nedlands. Darcy, (Sir) James Cruthers, WAN boss James Macartney’s son Bill, and Jim’s son John and a school mate also walked from Perth to Geraldton, as an exercise.

Its remarkable the few things that went wrong in those early days, considering how complex some of the commercial breaks were. The adverts would come from a combination of live studio, film with either sound on tape, sound on film (either optical or magnetic), double system sound, live booth announcer voice over, multiple slides, caption cards or the crawl. Every little thing seemed to be sponsored, including the station clock. All this was happening before the station introduced videotape in 1962. Now all the content is digitised which make hard disk storage and replay a modern day fit. No longer the need to pre-roll film by 5 seconds and videotape by eight seconds to enable them to stabilise.

    The news presentation then required more human resources, but that has now all changed with the station’s move to Osborne Park and the greater employment of technology to replace people.

Here is a brief look back at how things were…



TVW-7 News readers over the decades-

•   
• 1950’s Geoff Walker, David Farr, Lloyd Lawson and Phillip Edgely
• 1960’s David Farr, Lloyd Lawson, Gary Carvolth, Garry Meadows, Pam Leuba, Kath Lavan, Barbara Robinson, Eric Walters, John Chalton, Bill Gill, Brian Thirley, Marcus Hale, Michael Gale, David Low and Terry Willesee
• 1970’s Peter Waltham, Neil Watson, Russell Goodrick, Greg Pearce, David Ellery, Peter Newman, Rick Ardon, Terry Willesee, Tony Murphy, Ian Teasdale, Ann Sanders, Harvey Deegan, Ian Cook, Brian Coulter, Tom Blackburn and Sue Contos
• 1980’s Rick Ardon, Susannah Carr, Alison Fan, David Hawkes, Yvette Mooney, Steve Taylor, Dick Tombs, Paula Voce, Reece Whitby, Glenn Taylor and Jeff Newman
• 1990’s Rick Ardon, Susannah Carr, Paula Voce and Yvette Mooney
• 2000’s Rick Ardon, Susannah Carr, Yvette Mooney, Sally Bowrey, Blake Johnson, Emmy Kubainski, Natalia Cooper, Angela Tsun and Samantha Jolly

Darcy Farrell kindly provided the following insight into the early presenters…

Hi Folks (that was JKWatts’ opening line: Hi Folks).

Wattsie certainly wasn’t a newsreader, but he was a very funny man on both radio and TV.

Geoff Walker was our main newsreader through 1960 and probably in 1961 as well.

Phillip Edgely, as I recall, was a bit player doing headlines. He couldn’t concentrate long enough to do full bulletins.

Other names: Barbara Robinson like Kath Lavan was a headlines presenter.

Others who occasionally read headlines included Michael Gale, Ian Cook, Harvey Deegan and Brian Coulter. Even Bob Cribb was on camera when we were stuck for presenters.

Vin Walsh was a weatherman who was a great personality in his own right. He had been a RAAF meteorological officer during the war and a principal at Graylands Teachers College. He was outstanding on television.

At one stage we had Murray Rose doing the weather (after the Games in 1962) and Herb Elliott did sport and maybe weather.

Les has picked up on most of the others although every man and his dog will reckon they should be included.

    The News was very different in the early days with the news presenter reading over most of the film stories, which had an appropriate music background inserted by the audio operator. It was not unusual for the newsreader to read for the entire bulletin, only getting respite when there was a commercial break (the ABC newsreaders did not enjoy that luxury).

    Pam Leuba achieved something special for Western Australian woman by being the first to read a television News bulletin.



    Present day Seven newsreader Susannah Carr was the first woman to read a television News on the ABC in Perth, and only the second on the ABC in Australia.

    According to TVW’s first News boss Darcy Farrell, the old-timer newsreader with the best presentation memory was the late Garry Meadows who did not have the need for an auto-cue reading device. ‘If it was a six-paragraph story he would memorise four of them and look straight in the camera and you’d believe he was using an idiot sheet. A very talented man.’ Meadows went to Melbourne in 1961, but after meeting with little success returned to Perth in 1967 to work as a radio announcer with 6PR (one of the Good Guys and talkback show with Joan Bruce) and resumed casual news reading at TVW. It was not long before Garry was busy day and night with his radio, television hosting (In Perth Tonight, Perth’s New Faces, Spellbound, Telethons, Miss West Coast, Miss Australian Beach Girl and more) nightclub hosting and an endless spate of television commercials. One wonders when he had time to sleep? Sadly the broadcasting world lost Garry to a massive heart attack, when he was aged 42.

   Eric Walters joined Seven at the end of 1961, following the departure of Garry Meadows. At first Eric shared the newsreading with Gary Carvolth, before becoming the main newsreader, when Gary began hosting the teenage show Club 7 Teen and the evening variety program, In Perth Tonight (Garry Meadows took over as IPT hosting in 1967 with Gary Carvolth as producer). Darcy Farrell rated Eric as the best in the voice department. When Eric left to advance his career in England, David Low, the former TCN 9 and famous Movietone cinema newsreel voice over man replaced him in 1968. As well as reading Channel 7 News, David also delivered the half hour Midday News Bulletin on 6IX-WB-MD-BY.

    Peter Waltham started at 6IX at the age of 18. In 1972 he was reading News both at breakfast on radio 6IX, and in the evening on TVW. Peter had a gift for ad-libbing in the event of a program glitch, and would confidently carry on until everything returned to normal. Peter also presented and commentated on many of the Sports OB’s, including the Sports Star of the Year and a number of Miss Western Australia telecasts. Waltham remained at TVW7 until 1982. Since 1985, Rick Ardon and Susannah Car have reigned supreme hosting the popular Seven News.

There were also many weather and sports presenters.



The first weatherman was Vin Walsh, a knowledgeable man with sound academic qualifications, who was regarded as something of an expert on the subject. Trina Brown, who was famous for her wink, was the first female weather presenter in Western Australia, at a time when Eric Walters was the News presenter, with Peter Waltham as relief presenter. Sam Kronja (1934 – 2001) and his little friend Freddy Forecaster presented weather when colour was introduced to our screens back in 1975. Sam, who was formally on 2UE, 2SM, 2CH, 6PM and 6IX before he became the Seven weatherman, will also be remembered for presenting the 6IX Breakfast Show Sam ‘n’ Eggs. Sue Contos reminisced that Sam was always jesting off camera when she and Tom Blackburn presented the first two header News. Tom Blackburn had transferred across from SAS in Adelaide and is now Sydney’s leading Queen’s Counsel. Lesley Bradford kindly reminds us that former ABC weatherman and rural officer Grant Woodhams also presented the weather at Seven before entering state politics and became speaker. Many have stood before the weather chart over the years, including Murray Rose, Amanda Walsh, Jeff Newman for an epic period, Natalia Cooper and Angela Tsun as the current weather presenter.

   There have been many sports presenters included Syd Donovan, Doug Gilmore, Frank Bird, Ted Edwards, Herb Elliott, JK Watts, Harry Kelly, Bob Cribb, Jim Chadwick, Neil Brooks, Chris Young, Adrian Barich, Dennis Cometti and Basil Zempilas.

Here is the crew that was present for the last News bulletin from the old Seven Perth studios in Dianella (formally referred to as Tuart Hill).

















Waiting for the News to start.





























    A modern television station technically has more in common with the computer industry today rather than television of old. They no longer house the infrastructure to show programs on celluloid film, there’s no messy film processing, slides and caption cards are a thing of the past, as are audio and video tape recorders. The LED lamps in modern studios run cold in comparison to the power hungry illumination of yesteryear. The boom microphone, that used to hang over talent in the studio, now has flat tyres and looks like a relic of the past. The studio crane has long gone and now the boom techniques that used to apply to microphones has been retooled to carry electronic cameras, as the audience will witness at each years Telethon at the Perth Convention Centre.



   The television newsroom has gone back to where it came from, being spawned out of WA Newspapers, when they operated from St George’s Terrace. The present day young staff will have never known a period before television, many will not have known black and white. It won’t be that long and the youngsters will have no memory of analogue.



   As television enters yet another era, the production house of old with its endless stream of early bird shows, children’s, women’s, teenage and variety shows, quiz shows, open days, birdman rallies, chock carton boat races, and the autonomy of being a WA owned company, are all things long gone. Individual TV stations no longer employ a large staff of locals… now that everything except News is centralised in either Sydney or Melbourne. Fortunately, there are some local programs being produced, though now most of this content is farmed out on contract.

   If content is king, then the folk in the east are benefitting more by the opportunities to engage in programme making… even though one of the nations most respected talent training institutions resides here in the form of the WA Academy of Performing Arts. There will always be a future for content makers, otherwise we would have nothing to watch in our multi channel environment, where content is being delivered by an increasing variety of means. With the Internet more frequently playing an important and redefining role.

   Its a pity that Sir James Cruthers’ dream of starting a movie making industry in Western Australia has been a long time getting off the ground, even though this was pioneered with the Nickel Queen back in 1971, followed by TVW Enterprises investing in many Australian films. Otherwise Perth, with its ideal climate could have become the Hollywood of Australia. He even instigated a Young Filmmakers Competition to encourage youngsters in this field. On leaving TVW, Sir James became the chairman of the Australian Film Commission, before becoming a personal adviser to Rupert Murdoch during the period he bought the 20th Century Fox studios in Hollywood.

   When one reads the arguments that earned TVW the original license… to be a station for the people of WA, owned by Western Australians, which thrived on its community spirit and local presence. The elements for which the station is renowned, such as Telethon and The Christmas Pageant, largely came about through the hard work of the founding fathers. The continuing popularity of the station is based on public perceptions that TVW belonged to the people. The present owners can be thanked for insuring that our record breaking annual charity and festive parade though Perth streets continue as perennial occasions, with Telethon exceeding all expectation year after year.



We wish to thank Lesley Bradford, Susannah Carr, Rick Ardon and Alison Fan for their help with our recent stories on Seven News.