Friends of the late Jim Atkinson pay tribute to a much loved friend, colleague and entertainer. Audrey Long (nee Barnaby) and Coralie Condon advised that Jim Atkinson started in Albany Radio 6VA and later moved to Perth Radio 6PR, and also played in a band, whilst both Gordon McColl and Colm O’Doherty mentioned that Jim had been a police patrol officer in New Guinea.Carolyn Tannock (nee Noble) reported that Jim started with Seven after Rolf Harris left, joining Carolyn Noble and Judy Lee on Children’s Channel Seven. Carolyn Noble with Jim Atkinson Jim worked with Seven from 1960...

The first edition of Spotlight was broadcast on the opening night of Channel Seven, Friday 16th October, 1959. The editions that followed were broadcast each Thursday from 10 to 10.30pm. Phillip Edgley, Brian Card, Dianne Briggs, Judy Schonell, Dorothy & Bert Shaw and Reg Whiteman It was a half hour variety show written and produced by Coralie Condon, directed by Beverly Gledhill and compered by Phillip Edgley. Phillip came from a well known theatrical family going back four generations. In 1968, the family business of Edgley and Dawe bought His Majesty’s Theatre, and were responsible...

DISNEY ON PARADE an arena stage show for all ages By Richard Ashton I hired a noisy hovercraft for Mickey Mouse to arrive into a filled to capacity Perry Lakes stadium to celebrate his birthday. The first time a Disney on Parade arena show that had been produced outside America was done by Channel 7 Perth. It was the brainchild of Brian Treasure. He had succeeded in convincing the Disney organization that we at Channel 7 could produce and mount, with their cooperation and expertise a Disney on Parade arena show which would tour Australia. Michael Edgley, the Bullen Brothers the Circus people and...

Peter Croft (TVW 1966-1999) Peter Croft – Describes the evolution in broadcasting facilities from an autonomous local identity controlling program presentation and content to an automated operation under a centralised control, rebroadcasting delayed network programs emanating from the eastern states. Peter Croft worked in Engineering and Operations at TVW from 1966 to 1999, during which time he participated in the pioneering black and white era of valves, right through the technologic transition of transistors, integrated circuits, colour television, stereo sound, automation to centralised...

Jeff Newman Jeff Newman and his brother Peter grew up in the Perth suburbs of South Perth, Wembley and Tuart Hill. They were raised by their war widow mother Margaret, who was a strong influence on both boys. Jeff started his broadcasting career in radio, and was an announcer with 6GE Geraldton and 6PM in Perth, before joining STW Channel 9 in 1965, where he presented the Jeff Newman Show on Thursday nights. Jeff also presented a teenage show called ‘Pad 9′ on Saturday afternoons, featuring local live bands. Jeff Newman with Lloyd Lawson prior to Jeff joining TVW In the early years,...