The ABC seeks better accommodation The ABC studios and 6WF moved again in 1937 to The Returned Soldiers’ Institute, also known as the Stirling Institute on St George’s Terrace, behind the Department of Agriculture and located in what was once the State’s only botanical gardens, Stirling Gardens, west of the Government House Ballroom and north […]

Published on behalf of the Australian Museum of Motion Picture and Television (AMMPT). Next Wednesday July 18th is the AMMPT member’s meeting night at the RSL hall in Bentley. As previously promoted at http://watvhistory.com/2012/05/classics-of-the-silver-screen/ the main event for the evening will be a presentation by Education/Exhibition officer, Richard Rennie on the history of local ABC […]

John K. Watts – the “Know All” who became a legend Some people are only a legend in their mind, whereas John K. Watts became a true legend in his lifetime, based on his worthy sporting pursuits and his marvellously merry and humour filled persona. He didn’t let the truth get in the way of […]

Lamenting the loss of local Perth TV content and investigating modern means for re-cultivating it… regaining some semblance of local control. If you want to know where the local bands are playing, the newest show in town and where’s the latest club or nightspot in Perth, then television is no longer the best place to […]

We sadly report the passing of David Dallimore, an English gentleman who emigrated to Australia and is fondly remembered by radio listeners for his twenty years of broadcasting and entertaining at the microphone of 6IX in Perth and regional stations 6WB, 6MD and 6BY. David worked in the manufacturing and maintenance aspects of the British […]

PART 1 (1870-1922) This introduction deals with the origins of the telegram, telephone and wireless in Western Australia, and how at first this technology was employed for communication purposes. The transition from horse and cart to automobile paralleled the introduction of electricity and early telecommunications services. Our growth as a nation depended on both. The […]

PART 2 (1923-1935) A forward thinking group of likeminded people pioneered radio in Western Australia. Wireless communications enabled motivated people to exchange knowledge and ideas for the first time, regardless of distance and isolation. Much as the Internet does today. The people with the know how to make radio happen sprung from the early enthusiasts […]

PART 3 (1936-1954) Before and after World War II, radio made a big impact by not only bridging vast distances, and bringing communities closer together, but also entertaining the masses and comforting the lonely. For the first time people could be entertained in their home with out need to buy gramophone records, own or play […]

PART 4 (1955-1966) In the mid fifties, amateur radio groups continued to play a significant role in the wireless industry. As many of their ranks became important pioneers in the early days, the younger enthusiasts continued to carry the torch and make their mark in the industry. In this decade, the nature of radio changed […]

PART 5 (1967-2011) Radio talkback programs introduced more public participation and debate to the air-waves and many changes in station ownerships were to follow from the mid sixties. Frequency modulated (FM) stereo broadcasting begins and makes a big impact as listeners support the better sound quality option. More recent times sees the spread of narrowcasting […]