Walking and Visualising the Old ABC Studios at Gore Hill
Sunday 21 April, 2024 9.45 am for 10am start
This walk follows the documentary screening of "End of an Era" - ABN Channel 2 Sydney leaves Gore Hill circa 2002
screened at the St Leonards Library on End of an Era' on Thursday 18 April, 2024.
This guided walking tour visited the 'vanished site' but 'vibrant memories' of the old ABC television studios at Gore Hill where the ABC television studios existed from 1956-2002. Following its sale the
ABC television studio relocated to a purpose built studio in Harris Street, Ultimo in 2003.
Gore Hill's high elevation made it ideal for the ABC’s main transmission tower. Opened by then Prime Minister Robert Menzies, it hosted the country’s first television studio when Michael Charlton and James Dibble read the news bulletin. Gore Hill was also where the ABC first broadcast in colour in 1975.
In the 1990s the ABC total workforce was 6,500. In 2002 the ABC’s total workforce shrunk to around 4,000.
The Now a vanished site - with its public assets sold off, then demolished and replaced. Yet the site’s stories, memories and legacies linger. A place that was once filled with creativity and a determination to inform, educate, entertain and make a difference.
The Conservation Management Plan, ABC Gore Hill Site, Gore Hill, NSW, Prepared by Paul Rappoport Architecture Pty Ltd 2002 recommended (page 73-74):
- A sculpture signifying he ABC use of the site in the central open space area;
- Plaques or site markers made of a permanent material and design that is low-maintenance, and of robust and sturdy construction, placed adjacent to trees planted on the central open space area or the main internal access road or along the southern boundary of the site;
- an information board which elaborates on the plaques/ site markers and is made of a permanent material and design that is low-maintenance, robust and sturdy construction placed in the central open space area;
- A pedestrian link from the southeast corner of the site (the old brickworks site) to the Bulbrooks Building;
- Street names signifying the ABC's use of the site;
- Site interpretation measures in any buildings being retained on the site;
- Based on the understanding that the DCP supports tow internal roadways, suitable street names should be selected from the list of programs, events and people associated with the ABC Gore Hill site in Section 6.14 of this report. The ultimate decision regarding street names should be the responsibility of the ABC Board and Willoughby Council
Identified three structures to be conserved in any redevelopment:
- The Bulbrooks building;
- The Channel 7 Entry Pylons; and
- The foundations for the Former Channel 7 Transmission Tower.
The Conservation Management Plan, ABC Gore Hill Site, Gore Hill, NSW, Prepared by Paul Rappoport Architecture Pty Ltd 2002 recommended (page 78):
Establish permanent ABC radio and television exhibition
Ensure that adequate planning for a facility within the new Ultimo facility provides for a permanent and ongoing exhibition of moveable heritage including footage, news clippings, costumes, props, archival material, sets etc. Establish the facility under the guidance of a qualified museologist to bet communicate an understanding of the Gore Hill site in the context of the history and the future of television as a medium.
Read Conservation Management Plan, ABC Gore Hill Site, Gore Hill, NSW, Prepared by Paul Rappoport Architecture Pty Ltd 2002 Here
Arcon Shed
View near Pacific Highway
The Bulbrooks Building Facade - recommendation that it be conserved in any redevelopment
The Bullrooks Building was a pre-war art deco former hardware and building supply company which was purchased for the ABC in 1956. The Bulbrooks building was initially used to accommodate the film cruise and the staff canteen. It later became well known as the 729 Club where staff from the then three TV stations 7, 2 and 9 could meet and socialise, as it was the only venue where food and coffee could be purchased after hours. In the final years on the site the building was used to house comedy and the Foreign Correspondent production departments.
The Former Channel 7 Transmission Tower foundations- - recommendation that they be conserved in any redevelopment
Channel 7 Entry Pylons - recommendation for they be conserved in any redevelopment
ABC studio laneway
ABC Television Sign
The building was posthumously named in Frank Dixons honour in 1995.
Frank Dixon (1890-1991) was appointed the first federal editor of the ABC in 1947 after he successfully lobbied the federal government for a decade to change the Broadcasting Act to allow the ABC to become an independent new service and to be funded through parliamentary appropriation. Until then the ABC was funded through the unpredictable nature of radio licence revenue. With the newspaper moguls at the time lobbying against the change Dixon finally won by convincing the Curtin Labor Government and the ABC was granted federal funding then.
The ABC’s independent radio news service was established in 1947 with its own resources at home and overseas.
Plaque commemorating Sir Charles Moses, General Manager of the ABC 1935-1965
The red brick 6-story buildings facing the Pacific Highway was named after the Sir Charles Moses the ABC managing director from the 1930s. He played a pivotal role in taking the ABC from radio into the new age of television. He was highly regarded as a pioneer in the fledgling Australian TV industry and remembered as a dynamic and charismatic leader.
He also engineered the ABC’s post box number 9994 all around the country as a permanent salute to Don Bradman 99.94 being the Don’s batting average.
John Mellion (1934 – 1989) was a highly regarded and much loved Australian actor whose successful career in the film and television industry started the age of eleven. He had worked on dozens of ABC drama and comedy productions with the studio and film departments until he died in 1989. A building was named after him.
The Tony Joyce Building was named after a seminal ABC current affairs journalist who died in 1979 from a gunshot wound while reporting in Zambia. Tony Joyce was a ‘This Day Tonight’ journalist in Sydney before his overseas posting to London as a foreign correspondent.
Rear view of the site from Lanceley Place
Drama Theatre, Lanceley Place, Gore Hill/Artarmon
In 2002 with the sale of the 4.5 hectares ABC Studio at Gore Hill was the portion of the side on the lower eastern side of the former brick pit wall. The multi-story car park was modified to accommodate the ABC’s helicopter with a landing pad, office and a hanger. In the office area in the ground at first levels costume hire, enterprises, production, engineering maintenance, field camera and outside broadcast crews will be accommodated. The former Outside Broadcasts (OBs) base in the the Rally Speed building will now house set making and the Engineers workshop. The recently constructed Studio 26 Drama Studio and the GIO building were to become storage facilities for props and wardrobe that would be transported to the Ultimo Studio when required. A permanent staff of around 40 would occupy the site along with parking for OB, drama and field camera trucks and production vehicles.
The ABC sold its last remaining 1.4ha parcel at 14 Campbell Street and 2-8 Lanceley Place that was part of its historic Gore Hill precinct from which the ABC began televised broadcasts in 1956. This ABC property was put up for sale in October 2021 and sold to industrial giant Goodman Group for $95 million. The ABC’s 2022 Annual Report site noted the site had a carrying value of $88.8 million, including the benefit of a $55.2 million “revaluation increment” after it was revalued ahead of it being offered to the market.
Since 2003 when the ABC relocated its studio to inner-city Ultimo, usage of the Gore Hill site began to shrink, culminating in the decision to sell its remaining landholding in 2021.
The broadcasters 2022 Annual Report noted that it had entered into a contract of sale in February 2021 for its property at Gore Hill, and that it was due to be settled in January 2022. The ABC continued to make use of the Gore Hill site until the end of 2022.
In 2017, the ABC sold its Selwyn Street studio in Bayside Melbourne’s Elsternwick to Woolworths for about $45 million. This site was relisted for sale by Woolworths this month, after it secured a permit that allows a supermarket on the ground floor and apartments above.
According to its 2022 Annual Report, the ABC owned $223 million of land assets as of June 30, 2022.
Larry Schlesinger, 'ABC cashes in as former Sydney studios sold for $95m' Financial Review, March 8, 2023
The End of an Era, Sydney Morning Herald, June 2, 2023
Remembering ABC's Studios at Gore Hill
Thursday 18 April, 2024, 6-8pm
St Leonards Library, 88 Christie Street, St Leonards (opposite St Leonards Station)
Learn about the old ABC studios at Gore Hill by watching the documentary film - End of an Era that tells the story of the ABC's TV studios at Gore Hill from 1956-2002.
Listen to former ABC staff who will share their stories of what it was like to work on this site that produced some of the finest television programs in the nation.
Read HANDOUT here.
Watch End of an Era here.
Lynne Malcolm
Thursday 11 April, 2024
Download POSTER HERE
Download HANDOUT HERE
Award winning broadcaster Lynne Malcolm will share her story about the power of the brain as outlined in her book ‘All in the Mind’.
Lynne Malcolm has a deep passion for people and how their minds work.
As a former ABC science presenter she has won a media award for her contribution to mental health.
Her book shares inspiring and transformational stories about how the brain can heal itself. When musician Andrew Schulman was put into a medically induced coma his recovery was enhanced when his wife played him his favourite classical music.
Lynne Malcolm, a former host of the ABC radio program All in the Mind, has based her book on interviews with neuroscientists, psychiatrists, psychologists and their research on sleep, dreams, memory, creativity and mind-body connections. Something that Lynne Malcolm describes as “endlessly fascinating”.
Lynne Malcolm is passionate about people and their personal experience. When she least expected it she discovered the power of radio to tell their stories.Lynne is a graduate from the University of Sydney, majoring in psychology, education and anthropology, and has a graduate diploma in communications from the University of Technology in Sydney. She has been producing and presenting radio across a range of programs over many years and has received a number of media awards, including bronze and gold Medals in the New York Radio Festivals International Awards, the Michael Daley Award for Journalism in Science and finalist status in the Eureka Awards.
Lynne has also won two Mental Health Services media achievement awards for All in the Mind, one in 2007 for her series on schizophrenia, and one in 2013 for two programs on youth mental health. In 2014 she was awarded The Mental Health Matters media award for her contribution to mental health awareness on All in the Mind.
The book explores inspiring and transformational life stories as when musician Andrew Schulman was put into a medically induced coma because of severe complications after a cardiac arrest. No one expected him to live until his wife played him his favourite piece of music Bach St Matthew's passion. Within hours he made a miraculous recovery. This powerful experience of what is known as 'embodied cognition' inspired him to use music as a tool for the healing of critically-ill patients.
All In The Mind probes the latest research on brain neuro plasticity and its capacity to heal itself?
All In the Mind will change the way you think about the brain.
University of the Third Age, Sydney Hunters Hill
The ABC - its Achievements & Challenges
Learn about the ABC, Australia’s national independent public broadcaster and the challenges it faces - both historically and currently in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Monday 25 March, 2024, 10.30am- 12.30pm
U3A Hunters Hill at C. A. Fairland Hall, 14 Church Street, Hunters Hill. Parking nearby Venue Coordinator Judy Harris [email protected] (preferred) 0447 194 510 10:30 to 12:30 Bookings: https://sydneyu3a.org
HANDOUT. Read HERE.
Northern Suburbs of Sydney Poets Celebrate World Poetry Day
Thursday 14 March, 2024 (World Poetry Day is officially celebrated on 21 March, 2024)
Roseville UNITING CHURCH, 7A Lord Avenue, Roseville
A Panel of Northern Sydney Poets Celebrating World Poetry Day
with poets Charles Murray, Alan Clarke, John Clair . . . and a touch of New Zealand poetry by A.R.D. Fairburn (known as Rex)
WATCH VIDEO OF WORLD POETRY DAY by Wing Tung Kwan, Macquarie University intern for ABC Friends HERE
WATCH FULL MEETING VIDEO by ABC Friends Northern Suburbs Committee Member Peter Vail HERE
Read NSoS' World Poetry Day HANDOUT HERE
Read World Poetry Day LETTER sent to the Seven NSoS MPs HERE
John Clair lives on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. He worked as a School Psychologist with the Department of Education up until his retirement in 2004. He is passionate about the ABC and wouldn’t miss the 7pm news followed by the 7.30 Report. His poems about the ABC virtually “write themselves” born out of the frustration and disappointment at hearing about the latest round of cuts to the ABC budget and witnessing the danger of misinformation in the United States. John hopes that his poems will encourage people who care about an independent accountable press to mobilise for upcoming elections. His poem Our ABC was published in Update, August 2021, Vol 29, No 2, page 9
Read John Clair's poems HERE
Alan Clarke is a poet who performs with the Northern Beaches’ ensemble of musicians called Loosely Woven, whose fundraising concerts at Humph Hall, Allambie Heights has raised nearly $3000 for ABC Friends NSW & ACT. Alan’s fence in his Northern Beaches home is covered with poetry. Alan has written lyrics for songs about the ABC including one by Wellerman Audio - Full Score.
Read Alan Clarke's poems HERE
Charles Murray, born in Dublin, Ireland 1940 and migrated to Australia in 1963, with the intention of working in the teaching profession. However, fate and circumstance led him to a career in the heavy engineering and construction industries that involved the design and commissioning of specialist lifting technology. Charles has been dedicated to creative writing since his student days. He is a proactive peace-loving social justice activist. Charles’ poetry and memoir pieces have been published in Australia as well as overseas. Charles’ poetry has been published in the North Shore Poetry Project’s book The Intimacy of Strangers edited by Philip Porter and Andy Kissane. This book covers the period of 2015 to 2018 and brings poems of 33 poets who read their poetry at regular dinners at The Incinerator restaurant in Willoughby. Wendy Fleming’s review of this poetry book can be read here. Read Charles Murray's poems cab be read HERE
Poetry has always been part of the ABC.
Some even say that the ABC Radio is the broadcasting ‘home’ of poetry. It is where listeners find poets and poets find audiences. Sometimes it is even where poets begin their career.
There have been many groundbreaking poetry programs since the ABC was established in 1932 including Quality Street (1946-1973), The Poet's Tongue (1957-1986), Inner Space (1990-1994).
Significantly the ABC solicited unpublished works from Australian poets and gave many poets their first chance on air. Even ABC's Triple JJJ had its own poets in residence.
Recent ABC poetry programs include Between the Lines, Slammed, A Spoken Poetry Showcase, Pádraig Ó Tuama on poetry, rage, and remaking religion
However many poets lament the loss and decline of the ABC’s poetry programs. They long for stronger commitment from ABC management to promoting
poetry and the Arts.
Read more:
In the 1930s the poetry of Shakespeare, Shelley and other renowned English poets were performed on radio by actors, speaking with very British accents.
In the 1940s the verse poetry of Douglas Stewart's The Fire on the Snow (1941), Ned Kelly (1942) and The Golden Lover (1943) were performed, followed by the verse dramas of Colin Thiele and Rosemary Dobson and others.
From 1941, The Argonauts children’s program broadcast the poems written by children and selected by 'Anthony Inkwell' (the nom de radio of AD Hope).
In 1946 poet, radio announcer and producer John Thompson (1907-1968) created the ABC’s flagship poetry program Quality Street that was broadcast each week from 1946-1973.
John Thompson had joined the ABC in Perth in 1939. He enlisted in the AIF and then was discharged to work with the ABC as a war correspondent, reporting on the Japanese surrender at Rabaul. He edited with Kenneth Slessor The Penguin Book of Australian Verse in 1958, and published four volumes of his own poetry, including a collected works I Hate and I Love. He was the founding president of the Paddington Society that he and others established to protect its Victorian era heritage. His son was the well-known actor Jack Thompson and ABC presenter Peter Thompson.
The actor Peter Finch was hired to present poems on Quality Street in its first years. It was rare for poets to read their own poems at that time. One of Quality Street's readers was British theatre director Sir Tyrone Guthrie (1900-1971). Quality Street ran for 27 years. It was then replaced by Sunday Night Radio 2 in 1973 by Richard Connelly, Julie Anne Ford, and Rodney Wetherell and regularly featured poetry. In 1981 it morphed into Radio Helicon and continued to present full-length features on poetry. John Tranterr was at one time the executive producer of Radio Helicon.
The Poet's Tongue (1957-1986) was another long-lasting ABC poetry radio program. It sourced and performed poetry from around the world. Significantly it solicited unpublished works from Australian poets and gave many poets their first chance on air. It was produced by Gwen McGregor from the Radio Drama department in Sydney.
Judy Davis, as a young actress, performed poetry on this program. However increasingly Poet's Tongue began to feature more poets reading and talking about their own work. Jennifer Rankin appeared in the same program: 'For me there's a relationship – against the page.'
With the invention of portable recording equipment The Poet's Tongue was able record at poets reading their poems at festivals and literary events including poets Roger McGough, Judith Wright and Gary Snyder.
The Poet's Tongue finished in 1986 and was replaced by The Poetry Feature, a 30-minute segment which became part of the 'Sunday Fictions' slot on Radio National overseen by Richard Buckham from 1986 and 1994. In 1992 the great Czech poet Miroslav Holub was recorded for this program at the Adelaide Festival's Writers' Week.
Until well into the 1980s, it was seen as sacrilegious to put music or sound effects underneath a poem.
Poetry has also had a home on other ABC radio programs. Bush Verse appeared for many years on John Reid's Poets Corner on 3L0 on Saturday mornings. It continues to appear on Macca's Australia All Over. Bush Verse also had a home in David Mulhallan's Sunday Folk on ABC Classic FM and later in his Songs and Stories of Australia on Radio National.
The first, Komninos Zervos in 1989, was followed by Tug Dumbly who appeared live in the breakfast show.
The Listening Room, a program of acoustic art, ran from 1988 to 2003 on ABC Classic FM. It grew out of the experimental show Surface Tension on Radio National. Both programs featured many poets: including Samuel Beckett, Australian sound poets Jas Duke, Amanda Stewart and Chris Mann and radiophonic settings of poetry, such as Deserta Rerum by Kate Jennings. American poets John Giorno, Lawrence Ferlinghetti and the Baby of the Beats, Michael McClure, also made an appearance.
The lions of the San Francisco Zoo joined Michael McClure there in his famous reading from his Ghost Tantras – the beast language poems, from a feature produced for The Listening Room by Andrew McLennan.
Inner Space (1990-1994) began on ABC Classic FM and involved airing almost 200 programs on poetry. It was a companion program to Jaroslav Kovaricek's Dreamtime and was heard on Saturday nights at 10.30 pm. Inner Space was a feature program based around poetry and spirituality. Jaroslav Kovaricek came to Australia from his native Czechoslovakia in 1968 after the Soviet invasion suppressed the Prague Spring uprising. Like many ABC people who went on to bigger things, he started in the Sydney mail room, working for the dispatch department. In 1975 he moved to Adelaide to be part of ABC FM, the new stereo network. Jaroslav Kovaricek brought his musicological training to Inner Space and used ambient meditative music mixed with natural sounds to be broadcast with poetry readings.
When Fictions was axed in 1994, there was a brief interregnum for poetry on Radio National until The Box Seat came along. Its foundation producers were Jaroslav Kovaricek, Krystyna Kubiak and Mike Ladd. The Box Seat ran on Thursday nights at 9.30 in 1995 and 1996, as part of a drama, comedy, and biography strip, and it drew on Inner Space and The Listening Room for some of its production style.
In 1998, The ABC devoted itself to National Poetry Day, running an on-line search for Australia's favourite poem. Kenneth Slessor's 'Five Bells' was the winner, beating Dorothea McKellar's 'My Country' into second place. In 1999 the ABC ran the competition again, this time for our favourite love poem, and the winner was Auden's 'Funeral Blues'.
In 1997 the Thursday night Box Seat poetry program morphed into the Saturday afternoon Poetica show.
References
University of the Third Age, Sydney Mosman
The ABC - its Achievements & Challenges
Learn about the ABC, Australia’s national independent public broadcaster and the challenges it faces - both historically and currently in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Monday 11 March, 2024, 10.30am- 12.30pm
U3AMosman at Mosman Art Gallery, Cnr Myahgah Rd and Art Gallery Way
Bookings: https://sydneyu3a.org Wheelchair access, parking nearby, bus stop nearby
Bookings: Annika Tults [email protected] 0404 254 009
Mosman's connections to the ABC
ABC notables living in Mosman include: William Cleary (1885-1973) the second Chair of the ABC Board (1934-1945) and who followed Charles Lloyd Jones as Chair; and award winning journalists Bill Peach (1935-2013), former television presenter for the current affairs program 'This Day Tonight' (1967-1975); Kerry O'Brien, award-winning journalist and former editor and host of 'The 7.30 Report' and 'Four Corners'.
Not far from Mosman were the ABC Studios that were located at Gore Hill from 1956-2002.
At nearby Castlecrag, this was the site of the Australia's first licensed radio station, Radio National established in 1923.
Mosman Daily's 100 year anniversary: A century of events and people that shaped a city and a nation
Margaret Reynolds honours Corin and Walter Bass
18th February, 2024
Margaret Reynolds, former President of ABC Friends National, visited Northern Suburbs of Sydney Branch to thank them for their great service to the ABC Friends. The photo shows Corin receiving an award on behalf of herself and Walter Bass (portrait in background) who started the ABC Friends in their loungeroom in 1976.
Dr Phil Kafcaloudes
Celebrating World Radio Day
Thursday 8 February, 2024
Dr Phil Kafcaloudes, long-time ABC journalist, will talk about the amazing achievements of ABC's Radio Australia (RA) - Australia's version of the 'BBC World Service' and how this worldwide broadcasting service is something every Australian should celebrate on World Radio Day.
Dr. Phil Kafcaloudes is the author of the ABC's official history of Radio Australia, Australia Calling: The ABC Radio Australia Story.
Australia Calling tells the story of the radio service’s changes through the decades as geopolitics and the media landscape shift across the region and the world. It charts the pressures on the ABC budget over the years and how the political support for an international broadcasting service has ebbed and flowed.
Dr. Phil Kafcaloudes, a long-time ABC Radio Australia journalist and presenter says about the book:
“Even though I worked at ABC Radio Australia for many years, researching for this book made me realise how much the network has affected so many people. Not to mention having a role in world events like the first landing on the moon, post-war migration, and even the cold war. No wonder it’s always rated so highly with international audiences.”
ABC Managing Director David Anderson said “. . . Australia Calling is a timely reminder of the historic importance of the ABC’s International Services in the Indo-Pacific. In an increasingly challenging international context, it is an opportunity to reflect on the ABC’s role in supporting a free media, regional democracy, and collaboration with our international neighbours.”
ABC Head International Services Claire M. Gorman said “I commissioned Phil to write this book as this is a story worth telling. In documenting ABC Radio Australia’s evolution, the book highlights the ABC’s longstanding commitment to regional storytelling, peace, and democracy. It helps us understand why the ABC remains a valued and trusted source of news, information, and entertainment for international audiences. The book tells an important part of the ABC’s 90-year history and Australia’s engagement with its neighbours.” -
The ABC launched its international broadcasting services in 1939 and today its linear and digital channels reach nearly 15 million unique monthly overseas audiences, including through;
ABC Australia: television service available in 38 markets across the Asia-Pacific with a monthly viewership of 3.6 million
ABC Radio Australia: operates 13 FM transmitters across the Pacific and Timor Leste and offers a mix of news, sport, music and lifestyle programming to 287,000 listeners. Programs include Pacific Beat, Can You Be More Pacific, Sistas, Let’s Talk, Island Music
ABC Pacific: the Pacific’s leading online destination for regional news, sport and music
The Federal Government recently committed to $32 million in extra funding over four years for ABC International Services to enhance regional transmission, increase content production and deliver media capacity building and journalism for regional partners.
Showreel available here.
References:
https://media.adelaide.edu.au/radio/intro/history_OZ-radio.pdf
Phil Kafcaloudes, ABC Radio Australia's 83 years of broadcasting to the world
World Radio Day (13 February)
Pre-Budget Submissions for the 2024–25 Budget
25 January 2024
Copies sent to:
[email protected],
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Geraldine Doogue AO
& ABC Friends Northern Suburbs of Sydney Annual Meeting
14 December 2023
Geraldine Doogue is a renowned Australian journalist and broadcaster with experience in print, television and radio. While originally planning a career as a schoolteacher after completing her Arts degree, in 1972 Geraldine applied on an impulse for a journalism cadetship with The West Australian instead.
Renowned ABC journalist Geraldine Doogue hosts the Radio National program ‘Saturday Extra’ that is broadcast each Saturday morning from 7.30am. With a focus on international politics and business, Geraldine Doogue talks to expert commentators about the things that matter to Australians.
During her career with both the ABC and commercial media she has won two Penguin Awards for excellence in broadcasting from the Television Society of Australia and a United Nations Media Peace Prize. In 2000 Geraldine was awarded a Churchill Fellowship for social and cultural reporting. In 2003, she was recognised with an Officer in the Order of Australia for services to the community and media. Geraldine tackles a wide range of subjects with rigour, optimism, humour and warmth.
ABC Friends NSW & ACT AGM 2023
18 November 2023
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Friends of the ABC (NSW & ACT) Inc.
Saturday 18 November 2023 2-3.30pm
Henry Carmichael Theatre, Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts
280 Pitt Street, Sydney and by Zoom
Guest speaker will be Emeritus Professor Ed Davis AM
Former President ABC Friends NSW & ACT, Former Vice President, ABC Friends National
Formal business
Attendance and Apologies
Minutes of 2022 AGM
President's Report - Ress Howes
Treasurer's Reort - Sharon Ooi
Secretary's Report - Peter Lindenmayer
Election of Office Bearers (if required)
Election of Committee Members (if required)
General Business
Close
Gavin Fang & Tracey Kirkland
Pandemedia - How covid changed journalism
9 November 2023
Gavin Fang is one of Australia’s most experienced news executives, with 25 years in print and broadcast journalism. He led the ABC’s news teams during the pandemic. A former foreign correspondent, he is deputy director of ABC News.
Contributors to the book include Stan Grant, Michelle Grattan, David Speers, Alan Kohler, Lisa Millar and Dr Norman Swan. Pandemedia edited by Gavin Fang and Tracey Kirkland takes readers behind the scenes of Australia’s media organisations to give a firsthand perspective on the new reign of the fourth estate.
Author royalties proudly support the Indigenous Literacy Foundation
Handout still to be uploaded
Reference
Gavin Fang the new ABC Editorial Director - RadioInfo Australia
24-31 October 2023
Friday 27 October, 2023
The Andrew Olle Media Lecture was established by 702 ABC Sydney (formerly 2BL) workers to honour Andrew Olle ABC Radio and television broadcaster who died in 1995 of a brain tumour. The Annual Lecture focuses on the role and future of the media.
Paddy Manning
Lachlan Murdoch 'The Successor'
October 12, 2023
Celebrating Global Media and Information Literacy Week (24 Oct)
Paddy Manning explores Lachlan Murdoch’s upbringing, political beliefs and role as head of Fox Corporation – the man ultimately responsible for Fox News. It is an epic saga of ruthless power plays and family battles.
As heir apparent to his father’s global media empire, Lachlan Murdoch is one of the world’s most powerful people. Yet despite a life in the spotlight, Lachlan’s personality, politics and business acumen remain enigmatic. Is he a risk-loving adventurer or dutiful son? Ultra-conservative ideologue or thoughtful libertarian? Scarred by a series of spectacular business failures, or an underrated leader who has shrewdly repositioned his family’s assets? And will the third generation of Murdoch moguls prove the last?
This is a book about the good, the bad and the ugly of the global media, and about America in the age of Trump and Biden. It is a book about power, apprenticeship, politics and succession.
‘It’s a brave man to take on an autobiography of one of the richest and most powerful men in global media.’ —Crikey
‘It is hard to think of a better time to write an account of the life and times of Lachlan Murdoch, heir-apparent to the News Corp throne – or of a better writer to do it. Who Lachlan Murdoch is, how he thinks and what he does with his power is vital to Australian democracy. Paddy Manning has it all covered. If the writers of Succession read this book, they’ll be in work for years to come.’ —Monica Attard, author of Russia: Which Way Paradise?
Mal Hewitt OAM
Why the ABC Friends' Update Newsletter is the ABC's Best Friend
September 14, 2023
Angela Williamson
Why the ABC Friends Matter
August 10, 2023
Angela Williamson shared her insights into why ABC Friends is so important based on her over 25 years of service to the ABC Friends NSW & ACT Committee as its Honorary Secretary, Membership Secretary and Update National Newsletter Assistant Editor. Since retiring from these roles she still remains active - this time as committee member of ABC Friends Southern Highlands Branch.
Angela Williamson has a background in IT (before anyone called it IT) working for various private companies and public service in NZ, UK and Oz. She particularly enjoyed working to install and implement on-line real-time systems for the then publicly owned Medibank’s NSW offices. Angela's voluntary roles include active participation in Zonta International, National Trust of Qld and the Australian Independent School in Jakarta.
Angela continues her commitment and passion for a strong, independent and well funded national broadcaster - this time with the ABC Friends Southern Highlands Branch.
Angela's message can be heard on 'Where would we be without the ABC'.
Ross McGowan: Building Community Support for the ABC
13 July, 2023
Ross McGowen’s commitment to the ABC Friends was professionally and expertly displayed in his presentation about how to build community support for the ABC at our July meeting.
Ross McGowan is a well known advocate for the ABC as the Convenor of the ABC Friends Central Coast Branch and Committee member of ABC Friends NSW & ACT.
Ross shared his story about how he discovered the ABC. He was driving along when he turned the dial to ABC Classical Radio. There he listened to one of the most beautiful pieces of music he had ever heard - The Lark Ascending by composer Vaughan Williams. This led him on a journey to discover more about the ABC and classical music. As Ross says, "In that one moment the ABC fulfilled its Charter for me - it informed, entertained, educated and inspired me!"
Ross showcased his presentation to Sydney u3a on why we need to protect our ABC. Something that NSoS can replicate and share with community groups across Northern Sydney!
Read NSoS Handout on 13.7.23
Download Poster
Thank you to those who downloaded the poster of Ross McGowen's talk and displayed it in their neighbourhood.
Jan Latta: Wildlife Photographer celebrating World Environment Day
8 June 2023
Jane Latta Turramurra children’s author celebrated World Environment Day with a talk about her life as a wildlife photographer.
Jan Latta is a powerful ‘voice’ for wildlife. For decades she has ‘captured’ wildlife on camera showing them living in their natural habitats in countries around the world. Jan’s experiences as a wildlife photographer continues to shape her evocative storytelling about why endangered wildlife must be protected.
Jan has an extensive media profile including being interviewed by ABC Radio.
More about Jan Latta's life story, her wildlife photography and her children's books about endangered animals can be found at:
www.truetolifebooks.com.au
https://www.truetolifebooks.com.au/order-a-signed-copy-from-jan-latta/
Jan Latta's Life Story https://www.truetolifebooks.com.au/
'Diary of a Wildlife Photographer' published by ABC Books and video
NSoS Media Release, 8 June 2023
Handout:
More about Jan Latta:
Jan Latta has been interviewed by ABC Radio. Her book Diary of a Wildlife Photographer was published by ABC Books in 2007.
About our meeting with Jan Latta
Gordon Markets, 14 May 2023
Loosely Woven ABC Friends Fundraising Concert at Humph Hall, Allambie Heights, Saturday 13 May 2023
Thank you Loosely Woven for donating $800 to ABC Friends NSW & ACT
Loosely Woven Bright Blue Rose Concerts, April - May 2023
South Turramurra, Avalon, Dee Why, Narrabeen, Forestville and Allambie Heights
Loosely Woven Song: It's Our ABC Too
Audio Full Score
Lyrics by Northern Beaches Poet, Allen Clarke; Music 'Wellerman'; Arrangement by Wayne Richmond; Performed by Loosely Woven, 2023
Please visit Poets Corner at 29 Tristram Rd, Beacon Hill
Dr David Smith: Why the ABC is so necessary for climate action
11 May 2023
Dr David Smith, Chair of 'Electrifying Bradfield', highlighted the ABC’s Australia Story program - The Transformer Saul Griffith (2023) that inspired him to electrify his local community with renewable energy. He outlined the work he and others have been doing with Electrifying Bradfield.
Professor Emerita Robyn Ewing OAM: Why creativity and the arts are so important
13 April 2023
Professor Emerita Robyn Ewing OAM, talked about her research exploring the relationship between learning, creativity and the role of the arts in education, health and wellbeing.
As Co-Director of the Creativity in Research, Engaging the Arts, Transforming Education (CREATE) Centre, University of Sydney, Professor Ewing talked about CREATE’s vision to place creativity and the arts at the centre of learning, and that every Australian is entitled to high-quality creative pedagogy with opportunities to engage in creativity and the arts.
Glen Street Theatre: Looking for Albanese, 1 April 2023
NSoS invited members to attend the Wharf Review Looking for Albanese at Glen Street Theatre in support of writer Jonathan Biggins who donated his time to write 'It's Our ABC' song lyrics to the score Flash Jack from Gundagai.
Helen Grasswill
ABC Staff and their passion for an independent national broadcaster
9 March 2023
Helen Grasswill has been a journalist, author, editor and television program-maker for more than 50 years, starting as a freelancer while still at school and later working for both Australian and international broadcasters. In almost 30 years at the ABC, she worked for news programs including The 7:30 Report, The Bottom Line and The Investigators, with stints at Lateline and Foreign Correspondent. She is best known as a foundation member and 22-year veteran of Australian Story, where she was responsible for many landmark stories. Her work has been acknowledged with numerous awards including the Walkley, peer-voted Logies and the Human Rights Award for Television. Helen is also author of the ground-breaking book, Australia: A Timeless Grandeur, a 130,000-word exploration of the Australian environment (Lansdowne, 1981). She is a co-founder of ABC Alumni.
Ensemble Theatre: A Broadcast Coup, 14 February 2023
This brilliant, insightful and inspiring play examines how the ego driven and cut-throat culture of journalism can dangerously derail the careers of younger, talented women journalists.
Written by Melanie Tait and directed by Janine Watson, the Ensemble Theatre held a Q&A session following a performance. This allowed NSoS to ask a question about the important work t
Margaret Simpson: The changing face of radio celebrating world radio day
9 February 2023
Margaret has recently retired from Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum where she was a curator for most of her working life. She mainly looked after the Museum’s Transport collection but also oversaw the Antarctica collection, toys and some domestic appliances.
Margaret has written extensively on the Museum’s collection and has had books published on Australian transport, historic Sydney buildings and old farm machinery.
Margaret is passionate about social history and was one of the consultants on the ABC TV show Further Back in Time for Dinner. She is currently a regular columnist for both The Post: News from North Shore of Sydney and the Sydney Observer and is working on a book about growing up in the 50s and 60s.
Margaret will share her extensive knowledge about the history of radio, its technological development and social implications.
ABC friends brought their radios along to the NSoS meeting with Margaret Simpson to celebrate World Radio Day.
Celebrating World Radio Day, 13 February, 2023
ABC Friends Beverley Inshaw and Jim Hobbs remembered their dad by celebrating World Radio Day with a visit to the Esk Wireless Memorial at Wahroonga.
“World Radio Day” holds a special place in our hearts as our father worked as a radio operator and technician for many years at the ABC studio in the city," said James Hobbs.
The Fisk Wireless Memorial commemorates the first wireless message from Britain to Australia sent by Prime Minister Billy Hughes in 1918 commending the heroism of the troops fighting in France.
The Australian Broadcasting Commission (the ABC) was officially launched in 1932 by Prime Minister Joseph Lyons.
Seasons Greeting Card to NSoS Members, December 2022
Loosely Woven Christmastide concerts at South Turramurra, Avalon, Dee Why, Narrabeen and Allambie Heights (Humph Hall) December 2022
Thank you Loosely Woven for donating $700 to ABC Friends NSW & ACT
The Christmas Song (Loosely Woven)
Changes (Loosely Woven)
NSoS AGM, November 2022
Talk: Why the ABC is so important by Cassandra Parkinson, ABC Friends National President
Rachel Collis & Band Concert, Humph Hall, 5 November 2022
NSoS members attended the Rachel Collis & Band Concert at Humph Hall, Allambie Heights. Rachel sang Wired and Awake which is emblematic of ABC Friend's commitment, loyalty and passion for the ABC that leaves one feeling 'wired and awake'. Rachel Collis singing a Good Woman.
Rachel Collis, musician and Janine Kitson, NSoS Convenor
Restoring the ABC Budget, October 2022
NSoS call on the Albanese Government to honour its promises and restore the ABC's budget in the October 22 Federal Budget.
Celebrating International Day of Democracy, Sept 2022
NSoS celebrate United Nations’ International Day of Democracy held on 15 September, 2022 by holding one of their favourite ABC Friends car stickers that reads: ‘DEMOCRACY depends on a STRONG ABC”.
Left to Right: Diana Tyne, Janine Kitson, Jenny Forster, Gordon Elkington, Tina Cooper
Appreciating ABC Friends Newsletter, September 2022
NSoS enjoying reading their latest ABC Friends newsletter, 8 September, 2022
Left to Right: Diana Tyne, Jenny Forster, Gordon Elkington, Tina Cooper, Janine Kitson
Loosely Woven 'Wired & Awake' Concerts, July - August 2022
NSoS enjoying interval at Humph Hall for a Loosely Woven performance of ‘It’s Our ABC’ song, 27 August, 2022
Left to Right: Beverley Johnson, Corin Fairburn Bass, Jenny Forster, Bridget McVicar
NSoS Committee enjoying Loosely Woven performance of ‘It’s Our ABC’ at St Andrews Uniting Church, South Turramurra, 12 August, 2022
From L to R: NSoS Committee member Corin Fairburn Bass; NSoS Secretary Diana Tyne; John Inshaw and Lindsay Somerville
Loosely Woven rehearsal recording the song 'It's Our ABC' at Humph Hall, July, 2021
Thanking Margaret Reynolds, National President, ABC Friends on her retirement, 11 August 2022
NSoS Committee holding Banner ‘Thank you Margaret Reynolds on your retirement as National ABC Friends President'
Left to Right: Lindsay Somerville, Bev Inshaw, Corin Fairburn Bass, Jenny Forster, Diana Tyne, Cheenu Srinivasan, John Inshaw, Janine Kitson
Celebrating ABC's 90th Anniversary, 21 July 2022
Left to Right (sitting): Diana Tyne, Beverley Inshaw, Corin Fairburn Bass; (standing): John Inshaw, Kerry Foster, Jenny Forster, Cheenu Srinivasan, Janine Kitson
Gordon Markets, February, 2021
Gordon Market, January 2021
Christmas Gathering at Bella Blue Cafe, Lindfield, December 2020
NSoS Committee meeting at Bella Blue Café, Lindfield, 2020
Left to Right: Kate Reid, Chris Haviland, Jenny Forster and Janine Kitson
Gordon Markets, December 2020
Rally: Stop Bullying the ABC, 7 December 2020
Hornsby Markets, 14 November 2020
Over 100 people signed a petition calling for a Senate Inquiry into funding of the ABC.
Budget Delegation to Canberra, 6-7 October 2020
Read ABC Friends 2021 Budget Submission HERE
In late 2020 a delegation from Northern Suburbs of Sydney travelled to Parliament House Canberra for the 2021 Budget calling for no further cuts to the ABC and that past funding cuts be reinstated. Federal Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher was unavailable to meet with the NSoS delegation. However the following MPs and Senators walked down from the Parliament House and stood next to NSoS and its banners and posters: Michelle Rowland, Zali Steggall, Susan Templeman, Andrew Wilkie, Jacqui Lambie, and Kristina Keneally
Left to right: John Inshaw, Janine Kitson, Angela Williamson and Beverly Inshaw outside Parliament House, Canberra.
NSoS and Southern Highlands Branch stand up for ABC outside Parliament House, Canberra
Zali Steggall, MP for Warringah and Janine Kitson NSoS Convenor call to FULLY FUND THE ABC outside Parliament House, Canberra
Senator Jacqui Lambi stands with NSoS outside Parliament House, Canberra
Janine Kitson NSoS, Angela Williamson Southern Highlands Branch and Senator Kristina Keneally stand up for ABC outside Parliament House, Canberra
Left to right: Angela Williamson, Anne Matheson, Susan Templeman MP for Macquarie and Beverly Inshaw outside Parliament House, Canberra
NSoS held a silent vigil outside the Canberra ABC Offices as an act of respect to the many ABC staff who had lost their jobs from years of funding cuts.
NSoS singing 'Where would we be without the ABC' outside Parliament House, May 2020
https://www.facebook.com/ABC-Friends-Northern-Sydney-114948746962921/videos/679086539692766
FIRST Birthday Party, 9 October 2020
The Northern Suburbs of Sydney’s first birthday party was celebrated via Zoom with many members and supporters in attendance. Margaret Reynolds, ABC Friends’ National President, was the guest speaker and shared her insights into the 2020 ABC Budget cuts and why NSoS is so important in making a difference.
Letterwriting (Covid Safe) Morning Tea, 24 September 2020
A small group of dedicated residents gathered (Covid safe) to write to Paul Fletcher calling on him to reinstate the cuts to the ABC which has resulted in losing 250 key ABC staff and cuts to valued ABC programs.
Delegation to Mr Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communication & Bradfield MP, 3 September 2020
After months of requesting a meeting with Paul Fletcher NSoS's Bradfield residents finally secured a meeting with two staffers. Left to Right: Lindsay Somerville, Janine Kitson and Kate Reid
Phone Blitzing Mr Paul Fletchers’ Lindfield Office, June 2020
NSoS's community campaign inundated Paul Fletcher Minister for Communication with phone messages calling on him to stop the planned $84m funding cuts to the ABC.
Left to Right: Jenny Forster, Beverly Inshaw, John Inshaw, Chris Haviland, Janine Kitson, Kate Reid and Lindsay Somerville
Protest: $84 million cuts outside Mr Paul Fletchers’ Lindfield Office, 30 June 2020
NSoS protested outside Communications Minister Paul Fletcher's office on 30 June 2020 in the hope that this would send a strong message that Liberal voters in Bradfield feel passionate about the ABC. Around the same time the Australia Institute conducted polling in key Liberal Seats asking, “Is Paul Fletcher representing Liberal voters, who do not agree there have been no cuts to the ABC “? In Kooyong 52.8%, Wentworth 54.2%, and Warringah 51.6% of respondents indicated that the minister was not representing their views. Honk if you love the ABC video of the demonstration.
Zoom Talk: Matt Peacock, retired ABC journalist, 12 May 2020
Ex senior ABC journalist and author Matt Peacock explained how the ongoing federal funding cuts are causing an existential threat to the ABC.
Article: Defend the ABC - for wilderness' sake, February 2020
Published in the Colong Bulletin #276, February 2020
Thank You ABC Dinner, 13 February 2020
NSoS held a dinner to thank the ABC for its extraordinary emergency broadcasts during the Black Summer Bushfires of 2019-20. Guest speaker Gavin Morris, ABC Director of News received a framed ‘Thank you ABC’ Certificate. Funds raised from the dinner were donated to WIRES for their work in saving wildlife during the worst bushfires in Australia’s history
ABC News Director Gavin Morris accepts ‘Thank you ABC’ Certificate from NSoS
Rally: Reverse the Cuts, 13 February 2020
Close to 200 people rallied outside Mr Paul Fletcher's, the Minister for Communications, Lindfield office calling on him to stop the funding cuts to the ABC.
Emeritus Professor Ed Davis, the NSW President of ABC Friends, spoke eloquently about why the ABC is so important to our democracy.
INAUGURAL NSoS MEETING, Chatswood, October 2019
100 friends unanimously support the formation of a NSoS Branch of ABC Friends
NSoS forms its Interim Committee
NSoS Inaugural Convenor Janine Kitson
Rally: Press Freedom, 11 June 2019
The northern Sydney community protested outside Mr Paul Fletcher, Minister for Communications Lindfield electorate office outraged by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) raids of the ABC’s Sydney Office and News Corp journalist Annika Smethurst’s home.
This rally led to the formation of the Northern Suburbs of Sydney Branch in October 2019 when over 100 members attended a meeting at Chatswood’s Dougherty Community Centre and unanimously voted to form a new ABC Friends branch.
References
Dr Rebecca Ananian-Welsh article, The 2019 AFP Raids on Australian Journalists, Press Freedom Policy Papers, 2020
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