We wish everyone the very best for the festive season and take this opportunity to reflect on a number of events that made 2013 memorable. There were happy occasions when veterans of the Western Australian broadcasting, radio and cinema fraternity could mingle. One such venue has been provided by the Australian Museum of Motion Picture and Television (AMMPT), who not only collect the equipment and memorabilia, but also provide a friendly environment for social contact. The team at WA TV History maintain a close association, whilst also being busy over the previous year researching...

Just a reminder that its party time again on November 20th, 2013, for all staff and veterans in the local television and cinema industries. This promises to be a success as many industry folk have registered to attend. More can be found at… Lets Party Formalities will be kept to a minimum, with an emphasis on the socialising aspects. The master of ceremonies is Terry Spence, with amusing stories and reminiscences provided by David Hawkes and Ivan King. Terry Spence was a News Director at STW Channel 9 with a long involvement in radio and television. He is not only a renowned journalist and...

Its party time again on November 20th, 2013, for all staff and veterans in the local television and cinema industries.     In 2006, the Australian Museum of Motion Picture and Television, commonly referred to as AMMPT, held a function of television and cinema veterans to commemorate 50 years of television in Australia. This was well attended by past and present staff of Perth’s television stations.     Veterans will also remember the 50th anniversary reunions of TVW and ABW staff in 2009 and 2010. TVW-7 celebrated its 50th in 2009 with a record crowd...

    People are probably wondering when the old ABC building in Perth will be cleaned up and made presentable. Veterans who worked there lament its deteriorated state since the ABC vacated, whilst youngsters with no sense of nostalgia most likely want it gone altogether. It looks like many heritage sites, such as the burnt out Guildford Hotel, which is experiencing demolition by neglect. Many abandoned buildings are found attacked by vandals, become home to vagrants, and are smashed and soiled in the process.     Former staff, performers, guests and visitors will remember...

    A friendly gathering of television veterans and cinema folk was kindly hosted by the Australian Museum of Motion Picture and Television (AMMPT) on Wednesday 21st of August, 2013. A 51 minute video covering the golden era of TVW was screened on this occasion. AMMPT President (WA) John Fuhrmann introduced the event     Gary Carvolth interviewed Sir James Cruthers for this video and Audrey Long narrated the production. The event finished with a session of reminiscing between Gary and Audrey, with Gary telling many amusing yarns. A few of the audience joined...

“The Western Australian TV Pioneer and philanthropist Sir James Cruthers is the subject of the next AMMPT ‘inFocus’ presentation. On screen, we will see Sir James Cruthers himself, presenting anecdotes about key events from 1959 until his retirement in 1981. Other early TV personalities will add ‘behind the scenes’ stories to enrich the presentation. Sir James Crurhers Richard Ashton, Gordon McColl and Ken McKay have undertaken a labour of love in researching and organizing the material in this rich vein of WA Television History. Dr Sarah McQuade, Roz McHale, Richard Ashton,...

TVW Girls’ Picnic – April 2013     For what is now becoming a regular event, former TVW secretaries and production ladies from the 1960s and 1970s, spent a special day reminiscing on the foreshore at Matilda Bay, on Saturday 20th April.     Luise Nelthorpe kindly reports that it was a lovely day, and unlike their get together in November last year, the weather stayed perfect and a great picnic was enjoyed by all. Please click to enlarge photo with the ladies names The ladies in attendance were… Jeannette Smith (nee Ashley) was a secretary working...

Tribute to Ross Albert Mathews (1946-2013) Ross Mathews     Too often we report the passing of good people who are universally well liked, with attributes everyone would hope for in a husband, father, grandfather, friend and workmate.     We were saddened to learn from Keith Spice and Kevin Campbell that following a 12 month illness, former TVW Channel Seven Supply Officer Ross Mathews died aged 67. Keith Spice conveyed the following sentiments… “He was a good bloke Ross, always had a smile and a friendly g’day for everyone. I last met...

Graeme William “Bill” McCutcheon 1 April 1941 – 12 June 2013     ABC South West announced from the Bunbury studios, to their loyal listeners through 6BS Busselton, 6WA Wagin, 6BR Bridgetown and 6MJ Manjimup, the sad news that Bill McCutcheon has passed away. Bill was known as the voice of breakfast on ABC radio through the South West of WA for 33 years. He was an avid fisherman, keen sailor, fierce cricketer and golfer.     Bill was an institution for many ABC listeners throughout the Great Southern and South West and a friend...

    Coralie Condon is an actress, writer, composer, producer, presenter, business woman, the Great Dame of Perth theatre and the First Lady of Western Australian Television. As a special treat, Rick Hearder and friends organised a party for Coralie on Sunday May 19th of May, 2013, to celebrate her 98th birthday. The party girl wearing pearls and looking half her age An animated conversation – delivered by Kevan Johnston and Jill Perryman Lots of singing around the piano with Maurie Ogden and Audrey Long with Jill Collis at the piano Gordon McColl and...