The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. The name ‘Logie’ awards honours John Logie Baird (1888 – 1946) a Scottish engineer, most famous for being the first person to demonstrate a working television.

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN LOGIE WINNERS 1962-1993

THE FIRST LADY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION

Jean Hunsley, Coralie Condon, Penny Hoes and Carolyn Noble

Coralie Condon was interested in theatre from an early age. Even while she was a ledger machinist with the Public Works Dept, she was producing shows at the Playhouse Theatre, Perth in her spare time. She went to Sydney and wrote children’s television programmes for the ABC., before returning to Perth in 1959 where she was involved in selection of staff for the opening of Channel Seven.

Coralie Condon, Beverley Gledhill, Lloyd Lawson and Penny Hoes select TVW’s first on-air staff (1959)

In the 10 years she worked with TVW on a permanent basis she hosted a woman’s session called Televisit and produced children’s, women’s and nightly variety programs.

Lloyd Lawson with Coralie Condon

In 1958, Coralie wrote a musical comedy, The Good Oil, and in 1962 was delighted to be able to produce it for television with Jill Perryman in the lead. The production was directed by Max Bostock with the choreography and male lead performed by Jill’s husband Kevan Johnston.

Jill Perryman & Kevan Johnston (2008)

THE GOOD OIL

Coralie Condon was inspired by the discovery of oil in Western Australia in 1953. This encouraged Coralie to wrote a musical based on the resulting stock market boom, which led politicians and newspapers to claim it could be Australia’s most significant development of the 20th century. However, the euphoria that resulted from the discovery soon faded and the price of shares fell sharply, when successive wells drilled proved to be dry.

Choreography by Kevan Johnston – Danni Harford lead dancer

The production was first staged at the Playhouse Theatre, and later in 1962, became a television production, directed by Max Bostock.

Max Bostock directs The Good Oil cast members in the company of Kevan Johnston

Though a producer, writer and director for television, she had always maintained contact with the stage and joined with Frank Baden-Powell to open the Old Time Music Hall in Perth in 1967. It did not take much persuasion when Frank, a well known theatrical entrepreneur, asked her to do the music for a show he was producing at the Hole in the Wall Theatre. It became an evening of old time music which proved very popular.

The full blown music hall concept opened first in Fremantle, and the following year at the Civic Theatre Restaurant (which later became Diamond Lil’s and then the Island Trader) and in 1970 they opened Dirty Dick’s Elizabethan Room, which spread nation wide, with premises in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and several regional centres. At one time there was even a Dirty Dick’s in Los Angeles. The theatre group also toured extensively throughout the country with a selection of about fifteen shows.

In 1993, Coralie was granted a Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of service to the entertainment industry.

Coralie was one of the many guests at the October 2009 TVW 50th Reunion…

Audrey Barnaby has enjoyed a close and continuous relationship with Coralie Condon from the 1958 stage production of Coralie’s musical comedy ‘The Good Oil’ to the establishment of the make-up section and on-air presentation for the woman’s programs.

Coralie Condon, Sir James Cruthers and Carolyn Tannock (nee Noble)

Jan Urquhart (nee Cooper) and Jan Boyd (nee Ladner) of the Channel Seven Dancers greet Coralie Condon at the TVW 50th Reunion in October 2009


Other references to Coralie Condon…

Reunion Dinner at the historic Romany Restaurant

TVW Reunion Photos courtesy of Nigel Felangue

Coralie Condon’s Post TVW Reunion Get Together

TVW7 and BBC TV AWARD WINNING

Producer & Director

Keith joined TVW7 in December 1966 and became a Director in early 1967. Before coming to Perth he was with ATV Network in London where he worked as a Senior Floor Manager on Drama. OB’s and Light Entertainment Programs including, Emergency Ward 10, with Australian Cast Members Ray Barrett, Charles “Bud” Tingwell and Vincent Ball. “The Worker” with Charlie Drake, Sunday Night at the London Palladium.  Series with Edmundo Ross, Frankie Vaughan, Benny Hill, Morecambe and Wise, Michael Bentine, Jimmy Tarbuck, Des O’Connor and Dickie Valentine. Australian Guest Artistes often included The Seekers and Frank Ifield. “Oh Boy” with regular performer Cliff Richard, and, a number of Royal Command Performance Shows. Keith remembers working with Rolf Harris, when he was a guest on one of ATV’s Variety shows, with one of his early performances of  “Jake the Peg”.

Many TVW Productions, that are listed below, were Directed, or, Produced and Directed by former TVW7 Senior Director Keith Mackenzie between 1967 and 1982. The list shows just how very productive TVW was back in those days.

• Club Seventeen.  (see also under TVW Productions-Studio)
• Telethon. The first of the Annual Telethons was in 1968 and ran for 20 hours. One of the star guests was Graham Kennedy. Keith Directed the whole of the 20 hours with Gary Carvolth as the Studio Floor Producer.
• In Perth Tonight.  (see also below)
• Miss West Coast Finals.
• Miss Australian Beach Girl.  (The Miss West Coast and Miss Australian Beach Girl Finals were from the Beatty Park Pool.)
• Hole in One – Golf and Open Day from the Studios and Grounds of  TVW.
• Miss Western Australia. (From the Pagoda Ballroom, The Perth Concert Hall and Government House Ballroom.)
• Spellbound. (see also below.)
• New Faces – a Talent Show, good and bad, and based on “The Gong Show”
• Sports OB’s – Sheffield Shield and Test Cricket, Australian Rules Football, Rugby, Trotting, Claremont Speedway, Horse Racing from Ascot,
• Motor Racing from Wanneroo Park, Moto Cross from Herne Hill,
• Australian Open Golf from Lake Karrinyup, Australian Surf Life Saving Championships from Scarborough,
• Australian Rowing Championships from the Canning River,
• Tennis from Kings Park including “The Federation Cup”.

Various Documentaries around The World including—

• Miss Universe returning home to, and touring, South Africa.
• Seychelles Coup and a follow up 1 year later.
• Sri Lanka problems.
• Centenary Test Cricket,
• Thailand Drugs,
• Thailand Royal Family.
• “No More Bulldust” – The (New) Eyre Highway.
• America’s Cup Challenge in Rhode Island.
• The Cocos Islands.
• Fairbridge Farm School.
• Fragile, Handle with Care –Filmed Around The World in 1979 looking forward to our World in the 80’s. ————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
• Johnny Cash Special – “The Last Frontier”. This was the first Color OB in Australia covering his Concert at the WACA Ground followed by location Filming in Kalgoorlie and around the South West.
• Roberta Flack in Concert at The Entertainment Centre.
• John Denver Award segment live to the USA from The Entertainment Centre.
• Official Opening of the Mount Newman Mining Project – A Film covering the Mining, Processing, Rail Transporting and Shipping Processes, and, an OB from the Mount Whaleback Mine site. The OB truck was flown to Newman in a Skyvan aircraft. (see also below)
• A “Tonight Show” OB live from Eucla on the WA/SA border to celebrate the sealing of the last section of The Eyre Highway.
• OB’s covering the Royal Visits of HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales.
• Military Tattoo from Perry Lakes Stadium.
• Mickey Mouse’s Birthday Party from Perry Lakes Stadium.
• Air Displays from the Pearce RAAF base. A Highlight for many of the TV crew was to be flown to and from Pearce in an RAAF DC3 Dakota.
• A Rock Mass from St.George’s Cathedral.
• The State Funeral of Sir David Brand.
• Graham Kerr Cooking series.
• Peter Maxwell Special.
• Fremantle Music Hall Special.
• The Official Opening of the Perth Concert Hall.
• Kamhal in Concert at the Perth Concert Hall.
• Danny La Rue Special.
• Alf Garnett on Campus, a performance at the University of WA.
• A Christmas Special from Princess Margaret Children’s Hospital.
• World of Sport.
• Sports Star of the Year.
• Concourse D’Elegance – Classic Car Show.
• Australian Film Awards.
• Film Premieres.
• Annual Fashion Awards Show.
• Close-Up – an Interview series with Syd Donovan including a Close-Up Special “Gouldham is not Guilty” where Syd was joined by Reporter John Hudson.
• The Birdman Rally combined with Offshore Power Boat Racing from Two Rocks.
• “Hosted” Eastern States Productions on Tour like “Beauty and the Beast”
• OB coverage of the annual Christmas Pageant.
• “Rolf was Here” – Rolf Harris on tour in the Goldfields
• London to Sydney Car Rally – Perth stage at Gloucester Park.
• Castledare Field Day OB.
• Backstage with “Fiddler on the Roof” at His Majesty’s Theatre.
• The Russian Gymnasts Special at the Entertainment Centre.
• The Chinese Table Tennis Team.
• A Concert from the Flight Deck of the Aircraft Carrier HMAS Melbourne.
• Jimmy Edwards Special.- Jimmy was a British Comedian and was probably best know for his BBC series “Take it from Here”.
• “Flintstones on Parade”. (see also below)

Gary Carvolth or Jeff Newman were co-Producers on some of the Light Entertainment Productions that Keith Mackenzie Directed. Some of the other Light Entertainment Programs were Produced and Choreographed by Brian Smith. Newsreader Peter Waltham presented a number of Miss Western Australia Telecasts and also Sports Star of the Year. Peter also Presented and Commentated on many of the Sports OB’s.

Keith also worked very closely with Max Bostock on most of the Light Entertainment and Awards Programs. At the time that Keith joined TVW Max was Production Manager. Max always believed that it was a team effort, and, of course, he was the Team leader. Max never took an on-screen credit but was actually the Executive Producer and, in today’s terminology, would have been known as Head of Production. Those programs included Club Seventeen, In Perth Tonight, Miss West Coast, Miss Australian Beach Girl, New Faces, Peter Maxwell Special, Graham Kerr series, Birdman Rally, Hole in One Day, Spellbound, the Christmas Pageant and many others. Max also had special responsibilities for major Productions like Bob Hope Down Under, Miss Universe and Telethon where he was involved in the projects from start to finish.

Above–TVW7 Production Control Room-Director Keith Mackenzie with PA Diana Stanbury.

Many of the Documentaries that Keith Mackenzie Directed were Presented and Produced by News Journalist and Reporter John Hudson and Filmed and Edited by Bill Meacham.

Bill Meacham (left) John Hudson (right)

“In Perth Tonight” A later series of “In Perth Tonight” was Presented by Garry Meadows and Joan Bruce. They also had a Breakfast show on 6PR at the time. This series of IPT was Produced by Gary Carvolth and Keith Mackenzie and Directed by Keith Mackenzie. The Choreographer was Danny Harford.

Joan Bruce, Keith Mackenzie, Garry Meadows and Gary Carvolth

An even later “In Perth Tonight” style series  was Presented by Chard (from Australian Soap No. 96) and was Produced by Jack Hylton Jnr, the son of the famous British Big Band leader Jack Hylton, who Keith had  worked with in London.

An IPT Special was “In Eucla Tonight” live from Eucla on the WA/SA border to celebrate the sealing of the final section of the Eyre Highway. Keith recalls- When we went to the Border Village Motel in Eucla, for a planning meeting, we looked around for any local talent. To our surprise we met an Interstate truckie who did a Shirley Bassey impression. We persuaded him to be back in Eucla on the night of our show and he performed as Burley Chassis.

The Mount Whaleback OB  Another great challenging OB from the good old days at TVW. Bill Meacham and I also spent about 3 weeks prior in Mount Newman, on Mount Whaleback and Port Hedland filming the process of the ore from the blastings at Mount Whaleback right through to the Iron Ore ships leaving Port Hedland for Japan. This was run into the coverage after the ceremonial detonation at the end of the OB.

One of the sequences I wanted for the film was shooting from a Helicopter sitting on the Railway track as the Ore train approaches then lifting off and going high and around the train showing the length of it. Somehow I managed to get permission to do the shot. Beforehand I met the train driver and explained what we were going to do and told him not to stop when he was confronted with a Helicopter sitting on the tracks in front of him. All went well but I would have liked to have seen his face when he came around the bend and saw the helicopter sitting on the track in front of him

“Spellbound”, was a series that revolved around a “Tonight Show” with Guests. The show was way ahead of its time and Perth was one of the very few places in the World where a Hypnosis/Post Hypnotic suggestion TV Program was allowed. The Presenter was Garry Meadows, the Hypnotist was Martin St. James and one of his Post Hypnotic suggestion discoveries from the audience was the “Moon Man” Bill Renfrey, a car salesman who became a Perth celebrity. The show was rehearsed carefully, firstly, with Martin’s segments, where Garry and the guests were kept away from the studio,  so that they would have absolutely no idea what to expect on the night,  when Martin’s subjects would be cued to do some outrageous things, and generally disrupt the Tonight Show. Then, Garry’s and the Guest’s segments were rehearsed. Martin also performed on the show some memory, telepathy and extra-sensory perception segments with his wife Lee. “Spellbound” was Produced by Jeff Newman and Keith Mackenzie and Directed by Keith Mackenzie.

Guest Barry Morse, Martin St James and Garry Meadows

“Disney on Parade” was an arena show staged in a very large Circus Tent (before the days of The Entertainment Centre) and brought to Australia by TVW. TVW assisted an American company to make a TV Special of the show while it was in Perth. The Americans, naturally, wanted the show to be in Color, but, no Color OB facilities were available at that time in Australia. Eventually 2 Color cameras were tracked down and shipped to Perth, but, most of the time only one of the cameras was operational. Many performances were recorded to achieve the multiple camera angles required. The American Director was Stan Harris and Keith was his Production liaison. It later became an Editing nightmare for ITN in London who were contracted to edit and piece the show together.

The World’s largest tent, seating 7,200 people – owned by TVW Enterprises

“Flintstones on Parade” was an arena show at the Perth Entertainment Centre with all the Hanna Barbera characters. TVW made a TV special of the show for America which was Presented by Michael Landon. The Director was Keith Mackenzie. Post Production was done in Los Angeles. In order for Keith to Direct and Edit “Flintstones on Parade” it was necessary for Keith to be accepted as a member of the Directors Guild of America. All Directors working on Programs for Television Stations in America have to be DGA members. Normally an American Director would have had to come to Australia to Direct the show, but, the American Producers persuaded the DGA that Keith was the best qualified and was in Perth. The DGA agreed and Keith was accepted as a member. The entrance Fee into the DGA at that time was $US 3,000, rather a large sum of money. However, Sir James Cruthers very generously paid Keith’s joining Fee. Keith has remained a Director member of the DGA ever since.

“Miss Universe” was an American TV epic. TVW hosted the event in Perth under the enormous responsibility of Max Bostock. Many of TVW’s Technical and Production staff worked on the Program for CBS Television. One year before, a TVW team went out to Mexico with Max, for the previous year’s Miss Universe, to assist the Americans and to generally learn the Production procedures in preparation for the Perth Spectacular. There were segment locations used all over Mexico and the main show was staged in Acapulco–not a bad assignment!!. In Perth, many West Australian locations were used to shoot segments with the Contestants, and,  a “Beauty Film” was shot by Keith Mackenzie and Cameraman Bill Meacham to showcase the State of WA. A complete TV “Fly-away” Control Room was built on site at the Entertainment Centre for the Production. The main show from The Entertainment Centre was live to air at 0900 hrs, a time not really suited to a Production of this type. The reason for the early Transmission from Perth was, so that it would be live into New York at their time of 2100 hrs, their peak viewing time. Members of the TVW Production team working with Max, and who also went to Mexico were, Marion Leyer, Brian Smith and Keith Mackenzie.

“Bob Hope Down Under” was another show from the Entertainment Centre. Bob’s company, Bob Hope Productions, wanted a TV special made of the show. All Bob’s traveling shows were made into TV Specials for NBC. Facilities were provided by TVW, his regular TV Production team came with him from Los Angeles. His Producer was Australian Chris Bearde who was based in LA, and, who was also one of the Producers of “Laugh In”. The technique was to isolate record all the cameras, which is to record the output of all of the cameras all of the time, and, also do a very basic rough cut as the show was going along, but, it would really be put together in Post Production in Los Angeles. During the recordings his American TV Director seemed to be overwhelmed by the fact that he was in Australia, and, according to Bob, was not doing his job to Bob’s satisfaction. So, at the end of the recording of the show, Bob fired him. Now they had a problem, who was going to edit the show. Chris Bearde had struck up a very good working relationship with Director/Producer Keith Mackenzie, who was Chris’s Assistant on the project, and, generally troubleshooting. Chris persuaded Bob that they needed Keith to go to Los Angeles to edit the show, which he did.

During the actual recording at The Entertainment Centre, I sat in the Audio area in the OB van with a Talkback Mic to Cameras, as requested by Chris, so that, unknown to the American Director, who wasn’t doing a line cut but just ISO’ing all the Cameras,  I could Direct the Cameras to get some sort of sequences for the Post Production editing in Los Angeles, particularly for the Music items. I had warned the Camera crew why they also had me in their ears.

Bob Hope Down Under

All of the above mentioned Programs, together with  many others Produced between 1959 and the early 80’s  by TVW’s  Producers and Directors,  marked some of the Golden Days of TV Production in Perth, and, all made possible by the management, and the  enthusiasm and encouragement of Sir James Cruthers,  Brian Treasure and Max Bostock. They not only wanted to make Programs, but, brought many of the Concert and Performance Acts and Arena Spectaculars to Australia.

Keith Mackenzie left TVW in July 1982 to return to the UK to join BBC Television’s Sport and Events Department as a Producer/Director.

Keith Mackenzie. Post TVW career July 1982 -Present.

July 1982 – February 1997. —

Executive Producer, Editor and Director with BBC Television Sports and Events Department.

Major Projects included:

• Snooker, Darts, Bowls, Soccer, Rugby League, Rugby Union, Cycling, Athletics,
• World Cup, Domestic and International Cricket where Keith also renewed his working relationship with Australian Commentator Richie Benaud.
• World Gymnastics – 28 cameras (Olympic Award)
• Winter Olympics – Norway and Japan – 31 cameras (Olympic Award for Bobsleigh in Norway – Host Broadcaster coverage)
• Motor Racing including Formula One – 40 cameras (BAFTA nominations and Formula One Association Award)
• Horse Racing, including the Cheltenham Festival and The Grand National – 40 cameras (BAFTA Award)
• V.E. Day Concert in Hyde Park.
• “Anything Goes” a series from the Blackpool Tower Circus.

February 1997 – Present. – – Freelance Director/Producer.

Projects include:

• Formula One Motor Racing Coverage around the World for ITV Sport including Host Broadcast Director for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone – 40 cameras. (5 Bafta Nominations and Formula One Association Award in 1999 for best Host coverage)
• Host Broadcast Director for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix for TV3 Malaysia.
• International Cricket in the UK, Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the West Indies.
• Historic Motor Racing and ‘The Festival of Speed’ from Goodwood.
• Class 1 Offshore Powerboat Racing around the World.
• Opening and Closing Ceremonies – 1999 Rugby World Cup. One of the guest performers at the Opening Ceremony in Cardiff was Rolf Harris.
• DanceSport Special in Monaco.
• World Superbikes Series around the World.
• Show Jumping, Snooker, Darts, Squash.
• Champions League Football around Europe.
• British Touring Cars Championships.
• 2002 Commonwealth Games in the UK.
• 2003 Cricket World Cup – South Africa.
• 2004 ICC Cricket Awards Show in London.
• 2004 Champions Trophy Cricket in the UK.
• 2006 Champions Trophy Cricket – India.
• 2007 Cricket World Cup – West Indies.
• 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
• Sports Events for Fox Sports in Australia.
• Motor Racing in India.
• 2010-2012 Hong Kong Sixes Cricket.
• 2013 Indian Badminton League.
• 2014 Thomas and Uber Cup World Badminton in India.
• 2014 Golf in Singapore.
• 2014 Kabaddi, around The World, an Indian Sport.
• 2015/16 Pro Wrestling League and Premier Badminton Tournaments in India.
• 2017 Cue Slam in India, a new Snooker and Pool Format.
• 2018 Commonwealth Games on The Gold Coast.

BAFTA AWARDS/NOMINATIONS (British Academy of Film and Television Arts)

• 1994 Winner for Best Sports/Events Coverage in Real Time – The Grand National.
• 1996/97/99/2000/2001 Five Nominations for Best Sports/Events Coverage in Real Time – Formula One Grand Prix Motor Racing.

RTS AWARDS (Royal Television Society)

• 1998 Winner Best Live Sports OB – The British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone.
• 1999 Winner Best Regional Live O.B. Event – Historic Motor Racing at Goodwood.
• 2000 Winner-Image of the Year-Michael Schumacher crash at Silverstone- British F1 Grand Prix.

1994 WINTER OLYMPICS Silver Rings Olympic Award for 4 Man Bobsleigh Host Broadcast Coverage in Lillehammer Norway.

CONSULTATION and SYSTEMS DESIGN.

Keith also worked with BBC Television Outside Broadcasts on the design of various new OB vans, including the choice of equipment.

He consulted on, and designed, a Studio and OB system for a new Racecourse complex with its own dedicated HDTV facilities. This also included consultation on the new Floodlighting system.

Keith has been involved with the upgrading and new design of TV facilities, including decisions on equipment, and advising on building design, of new Studios, OB units, Television Theatres, Conference Centres, Sports Stadiums and Entertainment Arenas in the UK, Yemen, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Bangladesh.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Keith Mackenzie returned to Perth in August 2005, though continues to travel around The World Directing Sports Events, including Cricket, Badminton, Snooker, Motor Racing, Golf and Kabaddi.

He was one of the Host Broadcast Producers/Directors on The Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and The Gold Coast in 2018.

When not Directing, he is kept busy living in the Perth Hills with his many animals and also being a Tour Guide around WA.

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ON-AIR PRESENTATION-  “The Way It Used To Be”  as recalled by former TVW Senior Director, Keith Mackenzie.

When you watch Television in Australia, today, in 2009, and view a Commercial Channel’s ON-AIR Presentation of Programs, Promos and Commercials, it’s all being Transmitted to you from Melbourne or Sydney. It doesn’t matter whether you live in Adelaide, Brisbane or Perth, your local Channel’s content (unless it’s the local News or a local “Live” Program) will be coming from Melbourne or Sydney, and, it’s all automatic, generated by a Computer, and, once programed, no Human needs to be in attendance. Not so in years gone by though– At TVW, back in the 60’s, when I joined the Company, all the TV Directors were rostered on to one of two, daily, 8 hour shifts, as Presentation Directors, referred to then as Coordinators. In those days we didn’t have TV on the air for 24 hours a day like today. We sat in a Control Room and put the TV Station to air. That meant sitting at a Vision Mixing panel and switching between Programs, Commercials and Promos, and, also Vision Mixing the evening News bulletin. Items would be cued up with a run up time for the Sound and Vision to stabilize, usually of between 5 and 10 seconds. We had to run the item by calling the Film or Videotape operators via a Talkback system. We also inserted Slides from Telecine for some items. We worked off a Presentation log with every item detailed, and it was necessary to make sure that everything dovetailed together neatly, and, most importantly, that we didn’t miss, or mess up, any Commercials. That would mean that the Company lost revenue. If that happened, we’d then have to try and find a slot to do a Make-Good, which meant running the Commercial again at no cost to the client. The Presentation Team consisted of six people, the Director, Audio operator, Telecine operator, Videotape operator, Booth Announcer for Voice overs, and, an Engineer in the Master Control area to monitor the technical output. All very different to today’s On-Air Presentation operation.

TVW Producer Director Brian Williams provided the following photographs.

Gordon McColl was very active taking photographs of shows, personalities and crew members during the early days of our television history.

Gordon McColl – TVW Cameraman and Director

1959 – 1975

Gordon McColl was very active taking photographs of shows, personalities and crew members during the early days of our television history. He was well placed, being one of the two studio cameramen on the opening night of TVW on October 16th, 1959 (the other cameraman was Richard Ashton). The collection of photos here represents an insiders view of daily happenings in the studios and during recreation time.

Gordon was not only an early cameraman, but also the director of Club Seventeen whilst Johnny Young was the host. Other directing roles included Romper Room with Miss Claire Neilson, and program director attached to News.

Early teenage shows were Teenbeat hosted by David Farr and others, and Club Seventeen hosted by Gary Carvolth. The Wrighton Studio dancers provided a backdrop for Teenbeat, which introduced young singers such as Pam Bradley and Glenn Hitchcock to our screens.

Rolf Harris and Judy Lee entertained the children before Rolf moved on and Judy joined the ABC.

Rolf Harris

Carolyn Noble became the popular host of Childrens Channel Seven, which also featured a pet segment with Pat Thomas, a nature segment with Harry Butler and Scott Proper-John with hobbies.

Tuesday Date was a popular variety show which featured the talents of Dorothy Baker, Lyn Sly and the Rhytmn Spinners, and many more. Janet Prance was a dancer who went on to feature in various variety shows. Bon Maguire was a regular comedy element on In Perth Tonight or selling fridges. Bon also had a long running series of adverts for Tom the Cheap grocer, in which he dressed up as a convict.

A number of pretty women graced our screens including Barbara Robinson (who later became an airline hostess), Judy Lee (who later joined the ABC and married former TVW technical director Alan Bateman), Pam Leuba (who had the distinction of being the first woman newsreader in WA), Audrey Barnaby and Carolyn Noble.

Pam Leuba – WA’s first woman newsreader

Lloyd Lawson filled both management on on-air roles, from newsreader to program hosting. In one segment he dressed as an old man representing Perth in 50 years time. Sadly Lloyd will not be with us to celebrate TVW’s 50th anniversary. A comedy segment on the Today Show involved a gentleman dressed in overalls, which most likely was a sendup of behind the scenes situations at TVW.

Jack Sheedy and Austin Robertson Senior were two sporting regulars. Jack being a former champion footballer and Austin a former champion athlete and West Australian newspaper columnist.

Jack Sheedy and Austin Robertson Snr

Vin Walsh was TVW’s first weatherman whose bee behavior reports were often a more actuate predictor of the weather than official sources.

Vin Walsh TVW’s first Weatherman

TVW’s first news editor was Darcy Farrell.

Early technical staff included Alex Steward, George Baker, Colin Gorey, Lindsay Smith, Kerry Cook and Vic Jones in Audio. Mike Brand studio supervisor, Russel Sage on camera, John Keily and John Easton floor managers, John D.Brown presentation coordinator, and Marion Grieling, who started as a script assistant but later became a much distinguished producer and director in her own right.

Not to forget the much respected Max Bostock who started as TVW’s musical director and worked his way to the top, shown in the early days here with producer director Brian Williams.

GORDON MCCOLL’S PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION

BRIAN WILLIAMS

TVW PRODUCER DIRECTOR

1959 – 1967 and 1978 – 1979

Brian Williams came to Australia in 1951 and joined the ABC in Melbourne.

He trained in television at Melbourne Technical College and the ABC TV Training School in Sydney. Brian rose rapidly from studio supervisor to producer and director and as the youngest producer/director in Australia at that time, he was responsible for a broad range of productions.

At age 25, Brian was invited to join the newly established TVW where his creative flair was put to good use in generating many innovative local productions. The liberty to do so was largely due to early management’s desire to create a positive Western Australian image – and that desire was supported for the first three years by financial guarantees from West Australian Newspapers.

In the early days of television as a TVW producer director, Brian Williams had a high profile, as demonstrated by this newspaper advert…

Brian was a very debonaire gentleman about town in those days.

Lots of well educated English school class and charm with a hint of the mischievous.

He demonstrated considerable flair, imagination and know how..

Most TVW directors learnt on the job, where as Brian was properly trained.

TVW directors either came experienced from other eastern states stations (ABC, ATN7, TCN9 etc) or overseas, or they came up through the ranks at TVW.

Earlier in 1959, he employed Max Bostock at the ABC in Melbourne to be musical director on a series called ‘Two’s Company’. Brian said, “When I came to Perth, I lobbied Brian Treasure to bring Max over here for the ‘Tuesday Date’ and ‘Saturday Showtime’ series which I produced and directed. Well-known Melbourne performers, Frankie Davidson and Dorothy Baker, both of whom had worked with Max on ‘Two’s Company’, featured in this production. Joined by the talented Rolf Harris, it was a winning combination.”

Dorothy Baker

Contrary to popular belief, Brian says the first TVW outside broadcast (OB) was not the Commonwealth Games in 1962. “It was in fact a coverage of the ‘Head of the River’. Unfortunately, the first hour of the programme was hampered by fog on the Swan River. The presenter, Syd Donovan, was sitting on the escarpment in Kings Park and couldn’t see the rowing activity in the early events. It must have been a world record for ad-libbing.”

His next OB was ‘Hearts of Oak’, a documentary made from the HMAS Leeuwin and Fremantle Harbour as a prelude to the OB coverage of the Royal Visit. Others to follow included the annual ‘Miss Western Australia Quest’, International Cricket, the Inter-Dominions, a Miss Australia Final and the TVW Christmas Pageant, to name a few.

More ambitious projects were to follow. ‘Invitation to the Dance’ was a one-off programme, produced and directed by Brian, with Sam Gilkison as his associate producer. During that period, Brian was responsible for a number one-off specials. Some of these included ‘Songs of the Wars’ (a cavalcade of songs and music sung and played by Australians in conflicts from the Boer War through World Wars I and II), and ‘Do You Remember’, a trip down Memory Lane of Perth in the 1920’s.

This railway scene shows cine cameraman Tom Hall filming an outside sequence for ‘Songs of the Wars’. Brian is standing to the far left in the shade.

A version of Tchaikovsky’s ballet masterpiece, The Nutcracker, soon followed, before he set his sights on ‘”Baptism of Fire’. This one-hour documentary focused on the first-ever naval engagement of the Royal Australian Navy when HMAS Sydney did battle with the German raider “Emden” off the Cocos Islands. Interestingly, in the late 1970’s he produced another version of the same story, called ‘The Cocos Incident’.

Brian’s keen interest in naval history was satisfied when asked to produce and direct a documentary on the Dutch East India vessel Zuytdorp, wrecked on “The Skeleton Coast”. Then there was the first documentary on Sir Donald Bradman, (despite what Channels Two and Nine claimed years later). Brian still has the correspondence between Sir Donald and himself.

He kicked off ‘In Perth Tonight’, which ran for some years. Working with the likes of Gary Carvolth, Lloyd Lawson, Bon Maguire, Graham Kennedy, Stuart Wagstaff and a host of other guests proved an enjoyable challenge and generated some excellent television humour. Other hosts and production teams were to follow in Brian’s footsteps.

The teenage audience was not overlooked. Brian’s ‘Teenbeat’ was TVW’s first rock’n’roll effort with Brian Prior, Clive Higgins and the Zodiac Allstars. This one was succeeded by Club Seventeen, with Johnny Young and the Strangers.

Garry Meadows with the Top Ten hit parade chart

TVW also encouraged popular eastern states personalities to visit for specials featuring Mavis Bramston, Bobby Limb and Co. including a city parade with the Good Lady Mavis in an open vehicle, which captivated an eager Perth audience. Brian particularly enjoyed the experience, as it was an unusual sight to render speechless the often loquacious ABC sporting commentators, George Grjlusich and Jim Fitzmaurice, as they replenished their thirsty government vehicle at an Adelaide Terrace petrol bowser.

With the issuing of a second commercial licence to STW 9, upper management sought a degree of constraint with local programme making costs, while at the same time attempting to maintain substantial local output. Under sometimes trying conditions, Brian succeeded in creating many fine programmes, whilst inventively employing production techniques and special effects, which in a Hollywood environment, would have added substantially to the production budget.

By 1964, he had achieved the specific goal he had set twenty years before and now looked for a new challenge. In December 1967 he left TVW to go into twelve years of Independent production. The 1970’s saw the Federal and State governments setting up film agencies to stimulate local production for cinema and then television, but not in Western Australia. A case had to be made.

Brian put a submission to the Department of Industrial Development (not as expected, the Department for the Arts). Premier Court’s Cabinet approved the plan after consulting with the Australian Film Commission. Consequently, the Western Australian Film Council (WAFC) was born, with Williams appointed to make it work. Simultaneously, he was approached by TVW to re-join the Channel after a number of co-productions with Seven. Soon he was appointed as Production Manager/Executive Producer.

During his decade of independence away from the day-to-day television operations, the system, with the notable exceptions of the “Miss Universe” presentation and “Disney on Parade”, seemed to have become an electronic photocopier churning out inexpensive strip programming that provided modest challenge to those involved. Film production development was to him the current challenge and he made the choice. Under the WAFC banner, a number of cinema features and independent television programmes were produced in the first eighteen months. Based on his record, Brian was invited to accept the position of Executive Director of the Queensland Film Corporation on a two-year contract. As an added bonus, this enabled him to meet and work with the industry in the eastern states.

He spent eight years in Queensland, during which time some house-keeping was undertaken and many cinema and television projects were completed. An advanced two-year training scheme for independent industry personnel proved successful, the Chauvel Award was inaugurated and the Queensland College of Art (now part of Griffith University) Media Degree course was written as a joint venture between himself and Tom Jeffery of the AFTRS.

In his last year in Queensland he persuaded Dino de Laurentiis to change his proposed plan to build a studio complex in Sydney, and convinced him that the Gold Coast was the right location for the project. At 24-hour’s notice, Dino flew north, surveyed the landscape and spoke with Brian and the State Under-Treasurer. His decision resulted in what stands today as a successful international production and tourist complex run by Warner Brothers/Village Roadshow.

Again he considered his job done. Two offers of production positions in Sydney could not dissuade him from returning to Perth, his first love, and retirement.

On his return to Western Australia, he was asked to instigate a review of the local industry. As a result, Screenwest was established and has been running successfully since 1992. He was invited to do some guest lecturing at the W.A. School of Art and Design on Production Management. This soon developed into a full-time occupation and he was appointed as Programme Manager of Film and Television, Broadcast Presentation, Photography and Music – over three campuses. It took a couple of years for these courses to be revised and accredited nationally, but it paid off.

At the 10th WA Film and Video Festival, the students secured sixteen award nominations, resulting in eight first prizes. In addition, the photography students won the Ilford Tertiary Students Photographic Award, in which five students’ average scores were higher than any other institution in Australia.

The job done, it was time to retire – again. Since 1957, Brian has produced and/or directed over 2000 productions. Deservingly, an “Outstanding Contribution to Industry Award” was presented to him at the 18th Western Australian Screen Awards Ceremony.

Now, in the Perth Hills, he is coming to terms with woodwork, watercolours, writing, gardening, reading and yoga. His wife Jan’s cooking, a well stocked cellar, a comprehensive library and a faithful Rhodesian Ridgeback are a priceless bonus.

Compiled by Richard Ashton

When it was announced that television would start in Western Australia there was much interest in the community, many people had seen television or had been told of it by friends living in Victoria and New South Wales. Because of the interest in the 1956 Olympics which the course was televised, and largely reported in those states television media, it had sparked the interest. Many eastern states people had bought television sets and it was reported they were becoming avid TV viewers. This too had sparked interest in other non TV states, Queensland, South Australia as well as here in the West.

Newspapers too were interested in the new medium, especially in connection with news in which of course they already had a great interest, and very good links across Australia and throughout the world. West Australian Newspapers, the morning paper in the Western Australia were interested to the point in which the managing editor James McCartney the editor requested that West staff member Jim Cruthers should be sent east to investigate the new medium.

Mr Cruthers went Melbourne in the January 1958. He contacted many people in the new established television stations as well as other television engineering companies and consultants. In his report back to the board of WAN, he pointed out that certainly Perth and Western Australia definitely needed television and West Australian Newspapers should be the people who should sponsor the project.

In the progress making a complete feasibility study for TV in WA much initial survey work was carried out, which included the sighting of a television transmitter, so as to reach a maximum audience. On May 1 it was announced the Bickley Hill had been chosen as the best site for television transmitters for both the national broadcaster the ABC, and future commercial stations. Up to four transmitter towers and buildings could be accommodated on the site, then Postmaster General Sir Giles Chippendale announced. The elevated area was 1130 feet above sea level and 14 miles from Perth. He also announced that the new ABC studio for both radio and TV would on the Rosehill site on Adelaide Terrace.

In a press story on June 14, headed “TV COY FOR PERTH,” the Board of West Australian Newspapers announced that they would sponsor a company called TVW Ltd who would go ahead and prepare the license application to operate a commercial TV station for the Perth region. And, that details would be announced shortly. It also said that a substantial interest in the company will be taken by this newspaper and shares would be offered to the public on very generous terms. Mr Cruthers detailed report that went forward to the WAN Board on May 29, estimating that the establishment of the company would be £500,000, comprising £150,000 for buildings, £250,000 would be needed for equipment and a further £100,000 for establishment costs. This included purchase of land for the studio’s and transmitter. The TV consultants had recommended the purchase of land on the Tuart Hill scarp as the ideal site for the studio and an offer to purchase the 10 acre site for £10,000 per acre was made to Herb Graham the Minster of Lands. Much behind-the-scenes work had been carried out by Mr Cruthers and was detailed in the application. The name of the new company would be called TVW Ltd. It was named by the West Australian Newspaper solicitor Mr Ainsley who would act for TVW’s application at the hearings in Perth.

On June 26 TVW Ltd was registered. The Company would raise £1,000,000 comprising 2 million shares at 10 shilling each. On the same day a long article was published in the West Australian by journalist Lloyd Marshal discussing the good and bad of overseas television. This item together with another the following day only helped to heighten the interest in television starting in WA. This second article suggested that the Broadcasting Control Board should always keep a tight control on TV programming, “Early evenings and weekend screenings must be good and wholesome programs the whole family could enjoy.” The control board stated that TV stations had an obligation to ensure that TV is used for the welfare of the community and that strict control of time should be devoted to religious programs. The article went on to quote that eastern states program TV percentages. They were found to devote approx. 60% to adventure, western and drama programs. 10% to comedy, 12% to children and 10% to panel programs.

By June 27, 1958 license application was finish and approved by the interim board then forwarded to the Broadcasting Control Board.

In the Saturday mornings West Australian of June 28, in another small article on television viewing habits, it noted the enthusiasm of Melbourne and Sydney viewers had taken to their TV sets. The growth of licence numbers in Melbourne from May 1957 to 1958 climbed from 34,700 to 133,391. And in Sydney much the same pattern, 22,475 to 128,678. It is interesting to note the difference of television ownership numbers between the two states. I couldn’t help remembering that perhaps it was that advertising campaign run in Victoria had helped. My work place in Melbourne at the time was Noel Paton Advertising they had devised a series of press ads, featuring cartoonist Peter Russell Clark’s humours drawings of people at the front door of there homes, under the heading. “Were we embarrass when the TV licence inspector called.”

Another small item in the paper of the 28th noted that, “TV filled a big gap in many people’s lives.” Despite, it said, what was described as the relativity high cost of TV sets, at an average of £200 each.”

On page 2 of the West Australian of Wednesday July 2 came the announcement of the float and share issue. On page 15 was an advertisement with the details. The advertisement listed amongst other details, the directors of TVW Ltd. who were all prominent West Australians. Mr C G Friend as Chairman of the Board and the other Directors Mr M Fry, Mr R Long and Mr E D McCartney, Editor of the West Australian. The General Manager would be Mr J W Cruthers.

The next day an article appeared stating. “TVW Ltd NOTES ATTRACTS INTEREST. The issue of £300,000 of 7% registered unsecured notes being offered for public subscription at par by TVW the new TV company initiated by West Australian Newspapers had attracted interested investors.” 10% payment now, 40 % in November and the balance next year in May 1959.

In the first week of July the letter was received back from the Post Master General’s office in Canberra stating that two applications TV licences for WA had been received.

The other license application was from a company called Western Television Ltd. The PMG also announced that public hearings regarding the license applications would be held in Perth on July 28.

There was much interest in many issues regarding the license applications. One issue was that Western Television would not be truly a Western Australian company with a great majority of shares being held outside West Australian. It was thought that Western Television was perhaps really in eastern states company, controlled by News Ltd of Adelaide and under the control of Rupert Murdoch. Other issues were that newspaper companies “…might not be able to be trusted to do the right thing in sending programs into the confines of people’s living rooms.” This was the tenor of the questioning at the hearing of the two Adelaide license applicants. However, the two were granted licences in that state, after lengthy hearings. Two licences were also granted in Queensland.

Public hearings were held in Perth commencing on July 28. And both license applications submissions were heard by the visiting Broadcasting Control Board officials. Various opposition groups concerned were also listened to, including those who oppose the introduction of television. Both applicants questioned each on their suitability to hold a TV licence, and some on the question of share ownership. It would be three months before the outcome of the board’s deliberation would be known. But this didn’t stop work going ahead for the establishment of TVW Ltd. It went ahead on the basis that they would be granted the license. It wasn’t just a matter of sitting waiting and hoping.

Western Television also went ahead commencing to issue a prospectus for the raising of funds. However they stated that if the shares were not fully taken up Western Press proprietors of the Sunday Times would lead them a further £300,000 to counteract the shortfall.

On October 14 news was announced by WA Newspapers that TVW Ltd had been granted the license for the Perth viewing area.

TVW Ltd. Gets The Licence For Perth. CANBERRA. Mon. the Federal Cabinet today authorised the issue of two commercial television and licences for Brisbane and Adelaide and one each for Perth and Hobart. The Perth license was granted to TVW Ltd. Post Master General – Davidson announced tonight that the license that would be issued for an initial period of five years. The Minister said that the companies in the main comprised interests closely associated with the communities which their stations would serve. Provision was made in each case for the public to become shareholders if they so desire.

Davidson said that the government had authorised him to grant the licences after it had considered reports from the broadcasting control board which conducted public hearings on the applications received.

Cost and Income.

The board reported that it would cost £479,370 to establish the station and it was estimated that the income would amount to £132,977 during the first year, £232,538 during the second year and £378,976 during the third year.

It was stated that the £600,000 to £700.000 capital which it was proposed to raise would be sufficient to establish the station on a profitable basis. If necessary, further capital would be secured via borrowing and by the issue of the shares or registered unsecured notes.

Programmes.

The company proposes, as a minimum, on to provide programs for 35 hours a week during the first year, 42 hours a week during the second year and 50 hours during the third year.

For the first period of the station’s operations it would operate 5:30 p.m. to 10:05 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday 2 p.m. to 10:05 p.m. on Thursday 5:30 p.m. to 10:10 p.m. on Friday 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday (plus afternoon sessions as warranted) and at 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

The transmitter will be at Bickley and the studios at a site on Mount Yokine on which an option to purchase has been secured. There will be power of 100 kW for vision and 20 kW for sound.

99 Per Cent A Local Company.

Chairman of TVW C G Friend, said last night that he could not make a statement on the company’s plans until the board of directors had studied the conditions detailed in the letter. It was expected that the letter would arrive on Wednesday. TVW Ltd has an authorised capital of £1,000,000. The company was initiated by West Australian newspapers Ltd which undertook to take up 600,000 shares at par. The nominated capital is £1,000,000 in 10 shilling shares.

At the three-day inquiry at Perth in July to hear applications for the license it was stated that 99% of the applicants for shares or notes in TVW Ltd were the West Australian.

Another applicant for a license in Perth was Western television services Ltd.

The first decade at TVW7 was a pioneering period for television in Western Australia.

FORMER TVW CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR

TVW was a case where talented individuals could rise through the ranks to fill the highest roles. Most executives at some point or other gained experience close to the work face. None more so that Kevin Campbell, who started as a technician and later became the Chairman and Managing Director of TVW Enterprises Ltd (Channel Seven Perth). Where else could the person in the top position have the skills to walk into an operational area and demonstrate a full knowledge and experience in that area?

For 35 years, Kevin was involved in the broadcasting industry in Australia. On completion of a technical cadetship through the Post Master General’s Department, Kevin joined TVW Channel 7 as an technician in 1964 and worked continuously with them until his retirement in 1999. In that time he was appointed General Manager SAS Channel 7 Adelaide (1977). From 1988 to 1991 he was Managing Director of the Seven Television Network and from 1991 to 1999 he was Chairman and Managing Director of TVW Enterprises Ltd (Channel Seven Perth). In 1998, he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for his contribution to broadcasting and his community service activities.

Kevin is currently non-executive Chairman of Jumbuck Entertainment Limited, non-executive Chairman of Grain Biotech Australia Pty Ltd and non-executive Chairman of Great Western Entertainment Pty Ltd and a non-executive director of Movies Online Ltd. He was also appointed Chairman of Western Australian Soccer Association Ltd., Chairman of the Lotteries Commission of Western Australia, the WA Academy of Performing Arts and the immediate past Chairman of ScreenWest and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence Pty Ltd.