Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. quarterly newsletter

October 2011 UPDATE Vol 19, No.3 incorporating Background Briefi ng friends of the abc ABC LOSES THREE VERY SPECIAL STAFF Inside Update

Broadcasting Excellence Award 3

Deliberate dismantling of the ABC 4

ABC is betraying its cultural heritage 5

Radio National - Why we exist 6

Ian Carroll 1946 – 2011 6

Mike Carlton on the ABC in 2011 7 Paul Lockyer Gary Ticehurst John Bean The Australian’s Art Attack on ABC 10

As a mirror to our culture... 11 helicopter accident near Lake It is a tragedy that their lives were At home with Julia inappropriate 11 Eyre on 17th August took the lost doing what they loved – bringing Alives of three highly esteemed a unique part of natural Australia into Branch News 12 and senior ABC staff - Paul Lockyer the homes of us all, giving us all the A perception of bias 14 (reporter), Gary Ticehurst (pilot) opportunity to share and experience and John Bean (cameraman). The the wonders and the drama of an Few value the gem of the nation 15 tributes which have fl owed since have Australia which many of us may Outsourcing the arts at Aunty 16 been a wonderful testament to their never see in reality. Ratings chase is no pursuit... 17 outstanding professionalism in their Friends of the ABC expresses its fi eld. They were highly respected by all deepest sympathy to the family, Who watches Media Watch? 17 who knew them and worked with them, friends and colleagues of Paul, Gary Media matters 18 but in each case their personal qualities and John. We all share the enormous engendered a very special relationship sense of loss which is felt by all who Changes to ABC Programming 19 with friends and colleagues. knew them.

Page 1 Update Publication Information

Update is published four times a year by Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. (FABC), From the President PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059. Printpost approved PP245059/00002 To become a member phone (02) 9990 0600 or email to he tragic helicopter accident populist material of doubtful quality [email protected] which took the lives of Paul which seems to occupy far too much or access our website TLockyer, Gary Ticehurst and time in the ABC TV schedule. It also www.fabcnsw.org.au. John Bean is a reminder of the emphasizes the constant need to Extracts from newspapers and other dangers which are a part of being pressure the Federal Government to publications appearing in Update do not a correspondent for the ABC, restore ABC funding to the level of the necessarily reflect the views of the particularly for those who are working early 80’s. members of FABC. in the world’s trouble spots. We take Update is distributed to all members of for granted that, day by day, we Michael Mason to Address AGM FABC, as part of the membership fee. will be kept up to date with what Head of Radio National, Michael Update is also supplied to journalists, is happening across our nation and politicians and libraries across Australia. Mason, has agreed to attend the NSW It is edited and produced in Sydney but throughout the world, but often FABC Annual General Meeting, where contributions are welcome from NSW country correspondents work at considerable he will outline proposed changes to and interstate branches. personal risk and great personal the Radio National lineup for 2012, Material may be quoted or reproduced discomfort. Typical was Paul Lockyer’s as well as respond to comments and from Update provided the source is reporting from fl ood areas early this questions from our members. Any acknowledged and reproduction is sent to year, when he was fi rst on the scene the President FABC. threat of the erosion of depth and on many occasions, thanks to the ABC intellectual challenge on RN is always Would you like to receive Update helicopter pilot Gary Ticehurst, with magazine electronically? of great concern – we have seen it John Bean behind the camera. As with happen before! Does the announced Save the planet's trees and The Friends many ABC broadcasters, they became printing and postage costs and read Update attracting of a younger audience mean magazine on your computer. family, and part of our lives. Paul, that programs will lose that depth Each quarter, when Update is published, you Gary and John, thank you for all you and rigour? Take the opportunity to will receive an email with a link to the latest have given us over many years – you put your views to Michael Mason issue (each magazine is around 0.5MB). are sadly missed. by attending the AGM, at Sydney You can try this now by going to our website at www.fabcnsw.org.au and Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt St. clicking on Update. Also a great loss to the ABC was Sydney on Saturday 8th October at If you prefer this delivery option for future Ian Carroll, who has had such an 1pm. Michael has outlined his vision Updates please send an email to the infl uence over the past 30 years in for Radio National and the rationale Membership Secretary. many of the ABC’s ground-breaking for changes in this Update. Who to write… programs – a man of great vision Bias and Balance on the ABC Anyone seeking basic information about and humanity. Update includes an writing to persons of influence might find it eloquent tribute from Mark Scott and The need to constantly question and helpful to go to the FABC NSW website www.fabc.org.au where there are some Johnathan Holmes, which can be read challenge the messages we receive menu items under "Be Active" leading to in full on our website at www.fabcnsw. from our media is highlighted by pages of information: >OVJHU0^YP[L[V& org.au. the invaluable MediaWatch and the >OH[JHU0ZH`& inscrutable Johnathan Holmes, but ABC Television – What’s Left? the length of the journey we must FABC (NSW) Executive Committee sometimes take to fi nd and expose the Office Bearers The pages of Update include much truth is laid out for us in some detail President - Mal Hewitt discussion of the bleak future for by FABC member, David McIlwain. Phone: 02 9637 2900 In-House ABC production. Update Email: [email protected] He outlines the journey that he has invited Kim Dalton, Director of took in questioning the balance in Secretary & Treasurer - James Buchanan Television, to contribute, explaining a documentary shown on the ABC Phone: 02 9371 5621 and justifying both past changes and Email: [email protected] as ‘Collision Course’. Produced by future proposals. Particular focus is the BBC under the title “Death in Membership Secretary - Angela Williamson on Arts coverage on television – any Phone: 02 9416 4463 the Med”, the program examines the Email: [email protected] comparison between the present and circumstances surrounding the Israeli ABC TV in its earlier years shows attack on the fl otilla which attempted Update Editor - Mal Hewitt PO Box 1391 N. Sydney NSW 2059 how barren the landscape is. Surely, to break the Gaza blockade. We must Email: [email protected] with the multiplicity of channels always question the sources of the now available, there should be far Cartoonist - Phil Somerville information we are receiving, even on Editorial Cartoonist for The Sun Herald greater coverage of local concerts, the ABC. (Sydney) opera, ballet, dramas, recitals – all Nobody at the top of Murdoch’s [email protected] that cultural material that commercial News of The World was asking Layout Artist - Paul Martens channels totally ignore. enough questions about sources of [email protected] If, as Kim Dalton suggests, the information in the ongoing phone- Membership Line: 02 9990 0600 problem is lack of money, then he hacking scandal, least of all Rupert must seriously consider the allocation Murdoch. It makes it even more of scarce funds to the production of extraordinary that Rupert Murdoch Page 2 should have been invited by the ABC Mike Carlton proved to be a very Margaret Throsby, who has perfected Board to deliver the Boyer Lectures in popular speaker at the Annual the art of interview in her morning 2009, in which he used such words as Dinner of Friends of The ABC. He segment on Classic FM, but her career ‘truth’, ‘quality’, ‘integrity’ in relation spoke warmly of his early days as a spans well over 40 years, including to his own media organizations, cadet journalist in the 1960’s, and television, 702 radio and Classic FM. obviously with tongue fi rmly in the thoroughness of the training Margaret will be a worthy recipient cheek. There is clearly a need for the given to young journalists and future of the Annual Award for Excellence proposed inquiry into the print media broadcasters. It is a sad reality that in Broadcasting, presented at the in Australia, where Murdoch owns such training and grounding is not FABC Christmas Party, to be held on over 70%. part of today’s ABC - we reproduce a date to be announced. Please make a the latter part of his address, in which note in your diaries. FABC Dinner and he seriously questions the quality of Christmas Party much that is broadcast in 2011. Mal Hewitt Veteran journalist and broadcaster Another ‘veteran’ of the ABC is President, NSW FABC

BROADCASTING EXCELLENCE AWARD for 2011 CLASSIC FM’s MARGARET THROSBY

face and voice familiar Australia-wide, Australia (for Services to Broadcasting, 1989), and one of the ABC’s most popular Variety Club of Australia’s Radio Award, Two A and admired broadcasters, Margaret Avion Awards for the ‘Best in the World’ Throsby presents Mornings on ABC Classic in-fl ight audio programs (Qantas), FM from 9am to 11am, Monday to Friday. Golden Gavel Award presented by the Her highly successful career encompasses Law Society of NSW for Excellence both radio and television. in Legal Reporting, Children’s Week Margaret joined the ABC as an Award Media Award and Rostrum announcer in 1967. Since then she has Speaker of the Year. overcome major barriers to the accepted On ABC Classic FM, Mornings with roles for women in broadcasting. After Margaret Throsby includes a great mix of a dearth, for more than a decade, of music and a one hour interview between major roles for women on air, Margaret 10am and 11 am, in which a special guest broke the sound barrier for a new gives insight into their life and work, generation, becoming the fi rst along with their own selection of woman to read national radio music. news. Soon after, in 1978 A list of guests reads like a Margaret was the fi rst Who’s Who of Australians and woman to present national visitors from abroad. Some of television news. this amazing gathering from She has presented a the past 15 years includes variety of music and Lord Yehudi Menuhin, Oliver current affairs programs, Sacks, Patricia Routledge, and won a devoted Dr Tim Flannery, the Hon audience for her high Paul Keating, Claire Bloom, rating morning program John le Carre, Victoria de The Margaret Throsby los Angeles, Spike Milligan, Show on ABC’s Radio 2BL Steve Waugh, Rolf Harris, (702 Sydney). Jane Fonda, Cate Blanchett, Accolades for her and Bruce Beresford. achievements include: The Award will be presented Member of the Order of at the FABC Christmas Party

Page 3 Deliberate dismantling of our diminished ABC continues

after a showing on the ABC. When this share, if any, from the commercial Quentin Dempster commissioning model is applied, there is exploitation of ABC-commissioned Host of Stateline, little room for public purpose, originality, programs. ABC managing director Mark distinguished ABC innovation and risk-taking - much less Scott should be asked to explain how his journalist independence from commercial infl uence. claim that the ABC existed because of What the public is getting from this model ‘’market failure’’ can be reconciled with is largely Hallmark TV, Reader’s Digest a program commissioning model that The latest cut hurts, but it’s not documentary or lightweight, sexed-up abandons in-house production. the deepest in an already and formulaic drama pitched at an AB The destruction of the ABC’s creative de-skilled ABC. demographic. Is Crownies - the latest independence has a long history. When so-called ‘’bold’’ outsourced drama - the the Hawke and Keating governments t last the hidden agenda has been best we can do? It reminded me of Nine’s slashed funding, the management and exposed. The outsourcing of Underbelly: a bit of shootin’ and tootin’ board began a regime of co-productions AABC television production to the and a hell of a lot of rootin’. The taxpayers in drama. By the mid-1990s, the ABC no commercial sector now covers all drama, who fund the ABC deserve much better. longer produced any drama in-house. documentary, natural history, most feature If our drama and other programming The co-production model then moved programming and, increasingly, studio- to other genres, pursued by heavy based light entertainment. lobby pressure on government from the The ABC’s explanation that resources commercial television production sector. from arts and other programming needed The destruction of The in-house natural history unit was soon to be diverted to support prime-time gone, followed by documentary. content is disingenuous. In the digital the ABC’s creative While ABC supporters maintained their revolution, prime-time is dead. Audiences independence has advocacy through the Howard years, the can download programs at any time. a long history. commercial sector intensifi ed its lobby The anguish now felt inside the ABC from efforts to get an ever bigger slice of the latest program cuts would not arise ABC programming. The ABC does not if there was a genuine mixed production publish any detailed data on the share mimics the commercial networks, the model with the ABC retaining the capacity of production funds, so supporters and ABC’s raison d’etre is destroyed. and leverage to make the full genre range critics could follow the debate based of copyright programs itself by developing There now needs to be an inquiry into on established facts. This aspect is the its own talent and skills base. the siphoning of taxpayers’ funds to the most unsettling. While Australia needs a But through a long and deliberate board commercial sector to establish the facts viable commercial television production and management policy to dismantle about the compromising of the ABC’s sector, its siphon now clamped on to the and de-skill internal television production, public purpose. Such an inquiry would ABC compromises the ABC’s efforts. The the ABC is now totally dependent on the establish how the deals are done and how Gillard government has a ‘’convergence commercial television production sector the ABC is betraying the public’s trust. review’’ under way. In the digital revolution, for almost all Australian non-news content. Television management has said that Australians can download any content through co-funding and co-production What’s wrong with that? Our creative from any domestic and international arrangements, it can turn one taxpayer independence is being crushed out source. National boundaries are smashed. dollar into an effective three dollars of of us along with a conduit for diversity Perhaps understandably, the commercial content on air. This claim now needs to be and originality nurtured in a creative channels want to be relieved of their local tested. training ground. The ABC cannot be truly content quota obligations legislated by independent unless it has a capacity The terms of reference for an inquiry Parliament. If this happens, the need for would need to require the ABC to produce to create and produce its own original a broadcaster to support national interest and table all outsourcing contracts over programming. The public trust in the ABC and cultural objectives will be greater than the past fi ve years showing the copyright is based on an expectation that we are ever before. But the ABC, without public and transmission obligations and the independent of commercial infl uence. We discussion, has allowed its skills base and commercial producer’s associated are not. creative culture to be eroded. business plans. At the moment this Many programs, particularly drama, detail is commercial-in-confi dence. You As taxpayer funds are diverted to the are commissioned with external co- will not fi nd these details in the ABC’s commercial sector, the ability of the funders on the basis of their commercial annual report to the Federal Parliament. ABC to deliver on its public mandate is ‘’bankability’’, that is, their prospects for As taxpayer funds are involved, full reduced. profi table on-sale to pay TV and other transparency should be mandatory. The It is this trend that must be urgently commercial operators and spinoffs ABC should be required to show revenue confronted. Page 4

ABC is betraying its cultural heritage

Sydney Morning Herald, Jonathan Biggins – theatre director Jonathan Mills AO – Composer & Letter to the Editor, 7 Sep 2011 and writer Director, Edinburgh International or the past 50 years, ABC TV Gay Bilson – writer, chef Festival has introduced Australians to Nancy Black – theatre director Harold Mitchell AC – Executive an array of extraordinary local Director, Aegis Media F Polly Borland – artist artists - from Sir Robert Helpmann Vera Moeller and Phillip Hunter – Julian Burnside AO QC – barrister to Kate Grenville, from the emerging visual artists Western Desert artists to Nick Cave. Peter Carey – novelist Clover Moore – Lord Mayor of Sydney The ABC TV arts unit has taken Nick Cave – musician, writer Simon Mordant – Chairman, us into our galleries, theatres and Betty Churcher AO – former Director Museum of Contemporary Art and museums, sharing the country’s of the National Gallery of Australia arts philanthropist evolving cultural life. In the past J M Coetzee – writer year alone, the unit produced more Graeme Murphy AM – director and than 500 stories. It has championed Stefano de Pieri – celebrity chef choreographer new artists, engaged practitioners, Robert Doyle – Lord Mayor of Ralph Myers – Artistic Director, and built a vast record of the work Melbourne Belvoir of those who strive to articulate our Adam Elliot – animation writer, Robyn Nevin - actress place in the world. Where else do we director, producer Sir Gustav Nossal AC, CBE, FRS, FAA turn to celebrate our great artists? Tony Ellwood – Director, Queensland – medical scientist When we mourned Dame Joan Art Gallery Sutherland and Margaret Olley, the Hetti Perkins – Senior Curator, Saul Eslake – economist; Director, ABC helped us pay tribute to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian Business Arts Foundation lives and work. Art, Art Gallery of NSW and former Chair of the Tasmanian Arts Hon Mike Rann MP – Premier of We are deeply disturbed by ABC Advisory Board management’s plan to axe ABC South Australia and Minister for Helen Garner – writer TV’s only arts magazine program, the Arts disband the TV arts unit and divert Richard Gill OAM – Music Director, David Risstrom – President, Friends resources to prime-time, populist Victorian Opera of the ABC (Vic) content in pursuit of ratings. It will Paul Grabowsky – Artistic Director, Peter Robb – author diminish the ABC’s irreplaceable Adelaide Festival of Arts Geoffrey Rush – actor role as the nation’s cultural memory. John Hillcoat – fi lm director Patricia Sabine – Design Director, It will refl ect no glory on what Janet Holmes à Court AC, HFAIB – Design Forum Tasmania was once considered the single businesswoman and arts philanthropist greatest achievement of Australia’s Anna Schwartz – gallery owner intellectual and artistic life: the ABC Chloe Hooper – writer Emeritus Prof Margaret Seares AO itself. Without a strong in-house Lindy Hume – festival Director, Sydney – Former Chair, Australia Council for unit to create and to commission Festival the Arts and former Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, The University of arts programming, the national Hon Dr Barry Jones AO, FAA, FAHA, Western Australia broadcaster will fail its charter FSTE, FASSA – former Minister and responsibilities. And it will fail us, writer Stephen Sewell – writer by not reminding us our national Michael Kantor – theatre director Michael Shrimpton – former head of character is informed and shaped and actor ABC TV Arts and Entertainment by the imagination and creativity of Anne Summers – author and artists. Lally Katz – playwright journalist Tim Winton, Nick Cave, Betty Tom Keneally - writer John Wardle – Principal, John Wardle Barrie Kosky – theatre and opera Churcher, Geoffrey Rush and 57 other Architects prominent Australians. director David Williamson – playwright and Nam Le – writer screenwriter FULL LIST OF SIGNATORIES Michael Leunig – artist Tamara Winikoff – Executive Bruce Armstrong – sculptor, painter Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE – Director, National Association for the Director, Museum of Contemporary Art Visual Arts Stephen Armstrong – producer Shane Maloney – novelist Tim Winton – writer Ron Barassi AM – Australian Football Legend in the Sport David Malouf – writer Philip Wolfhagen – visual artist Australia Hall of Fame Dr Richard Mills AM – composer John Wolseley – artist

Page 5 We say 40+ for a reason. It’s not because we are obsessed by demographics but because we know Radio there is a tipping point in life, which is not always, but frequently, age- related, where people starts looking for deeper intellectual engagement and cultural meaning than what’s offered National by the traditional radio mix of bland FM morning zoos, golden oldies, shock jocks and endless sport. We don’t want twentysomethings in Why we exist baseball caps. We want those thinking adults who are looking for ideas and minded people looking for thought, discussion about the world in which they live. We want people who want Michael Mason analysis and discussion about events to hear different ways of thinking Manager and ideas throughout Australia and the and seeing the world; those people Radio Nantional world. Without looking to our future, without revitalising the network, we who are interested in the rich array of will simply lose the value we bring to thought-provoking, richly produced edia organisations and large Australian society. programming we offer. corporations frequently roll Basically, we want to extend our If we want to attract new audiences, out their vision and mission M conversation; we want more people in we need to “open up” Radio National. statements to both staff and public – to the room. And so, we have recently developed manufacture the best widget possible, a draft schedule for 2012 that we I was appointed Head of Radio to be the leading supplier of this believe will revitalise RN’s sound and National at the end of 2010 to take product or that – I’m sure you’ve heard programming mix. The schedule a detailed look at the network, them. After a while the missions and allows RN to be more mobile and agile to examine past innovations and visions all begin to sound the sound when listeners are, which is why we’re successes, and make decisions about the same proposing to extend Breakfast by half how we could grow and develop, At Radio National, it’s not about our an hour and introduce a live Drive without losing the things that make us vision or mission, but our purpose. And program. These two programming unique. our purpose is simply this: We exist to changes will attract an audience who nurture the intellectual and cultural are on the move, looking for analysis life of this country, and to be a vital and discussion of current events. In part of the contemporary Australian the proposed schedule, fewer repeats conversation. We know that to do slots will open up the schedule to a wider array of specialist genres. Our We believe deeply in this purpose. this right, we need to weekend arts and features programs We don’t shy away from it, and we will maintain and enhance will now be hosted to create a not change what we do to chase a mass our strengths, not fl exibility and responsiveness around audience. We are passionate about our specialist programming. what we do and passionate about doing diminish them. it well. The introduction of a new schedule will mean that some listening patterns We are not under budgetary threat. To fi gure out how to achieve this, the will change, which some of our Nor are we trying to fi x a network Radio National Executive and I held listeners may fi nd disrupting at fi rst. that is fundamentally fl awed. But the a series of staff workshops about our But we believe that the changes we cultural and intellectual conversation future direction. What became clear are proposing will give our audience, in this country continues to change, that while everyone was willing to new and existing, a fresher, more and Radio National must evolve to discuss the audience profi le, targets and open sound without losing any of the stay relevant. We need to maintain fi gures, any strategy for the network’s things that we do best. and nurture the level of infl uence future had to maintain our purpose at we have on thought and intellectual its heart. We are not interested in any changes that jeopardise Radio National’s discussion in this country. While there Our strategy, therefore, is simple: unique place in Australia’s media is no question we have infl uence, our To secure a safe and pivotal future for landscape. Renewal does not mean audience numbers are falling when the network, we must by identify and letting go of what makes the network you take population into account, and engage with the next generation of unique and vital, and the time is right when our infl uence wanes, the ability RN listeners: those people aged 40 and to fulfi l our purpose suffers. over, who want to be part of smart, for us to move forward with renewed Although audience numbers are not contemporary conversation. We want vigour and excitement about the declining at an alarming rate, we need to be very clear here: this is not about future. to arrest the trend. We want to bring changing our audience profi le, but We know that to do this right, in more people to the RN cohort - like deepening it. we need to maintain and enhance Page 6 our strengths, not diminish them. The suggested schedule has been forward to their comments and We’re building a stronger focus on developed largely around the ideas suggestions. specialisation, thought and analysis. and thinking from Radio National Radio National is a great innovator We’re deepening our commitment staff. In the main, our program makers – just look at its track record in to arts broadcasting and feature are enthusiastic about the need for podcasting. We’re excited about production. And we’re not letting go renewal, and are looking forward to the continuing to change and grow, of the extraordinary intelligence and year ahead. The next few weeks offer expand our infl uence, and be the place passion that our staff bring to program all Radio National staff a chance to for smart, thinking conversation and making. provide feedback about the proposed debate in this country. schedule changes, and I’m looking

ntil quite late in the 20th replete with vivid graphics generated responsible for all the ABC’s online century, it was fashionable by computer, led the way that Nine operations. It drew on all of his Uto deride the ABC as a and others were forced to follow. experience – and indeed on his sheltered workshop, hidebound by Through the nineties, Ian headed 4 ability to lead in fi elds where he public service rules and red tape, the Corners, a new national version of The had no experience at all. He got the home of engineers in grey cardigans, 7.30 Report, and then modernised the sometimes siloed and isolationist and workaday journalists content to manning and equipping of television ABC content divisions working bring up the rear. You seldom hear news. By the end of the decade, he had together around a shared online such things said today, and that is immersed himself in the new digital age strategy. Three achievements due in no small measure to the life’s – and was urging the ABC to do so too. for audiences stand out: the work of Ian Carroll. development of iView, Australia’s From his ground-breaking online catch-up television service; leadership of Nationwide, Lateline embracing mobile technology with and the national 7.30 Report in the quality apps for the iPhone and iPad; 80s and 90s, to his shepherding of and the overhaul of the entire ABC the ABC into the multi-channel, website. digital world of the 21st century, Ian Carroll was fi nally where he’d Ian Carroll always managed to place wanted to be for more than a decade himself where the next new thing – at the ABC’s Senior Executive was happening at the national table. His passionate advocacy of broadcaster. His energy, omnivorous investment in new programming curiosity, and optimism never initiatives was tempered by a deep fl agged. And in an organisation understanding of corporate history where respect doesn’t necessarily and culture. When he was on come with the job, few senior extended sick leave last year, ABC executives have inspired more IAN CARROLL 1946 – 2011 executives made pilgrimages to his loyalty, trust, and affection. home to seek his advice. Ian Carroll returned to the ABC Earlier this month, when his In 2001, the it took him at his word. in 1989 after a time in commercial advancing cancer fi nally forced him He was put in charge of its fi rst two television. With his chosen to step down, hundreds of colleagues digital TV channels: ABC for Kids presenter, the red-haired, green- attended a farewell celebration of penned Kerry O’Brien, Carroll and Fly. But only a tiny fraction of Ian Carroll’s remarkable career. launched into yet another bold homes at that time could access the He sat on a stool and spoke for 30 experiment: a late night national services and the ABC had received no minutes about the lessons he had program that would make use of additional funding to support them. learned from his successes, and his the newly-affordable global satellite In 2003, budget constraints saw the disappointments; honest, self- network to discuss the issue of the services axed. Once again, Ian had deprecating, funny, wise. The man day with the best brains across the been ahead of the times. Only seven who had produced so much for world. Lateline’s audience was years later, the ABC would have three viewers, over decades, sat fi nally in never huge, but its infl uence was new digital television channels on air – the spotlight himself. No one who profound. ‘‘Ian’s restless intellect, including one targeting children –part boundless curiosity and enthusiasm of a widespread national adoption of was there will ever forget it. for the big ideas,’’ says Kerry free-to-air multichannel services. Ian Carroll is survived by his O’Brien, ‘‘brought new depth to late Then, for three years, Carroll helped brothers Andrew and Peter, his night television.’’ to run the ABC’s overseas television wife Geraldine Doogue, their son At the same time, Carroll service, ABC Asia-Pacifi c. In 2005, he Sam, his fi rst wife Jill and their two revolutionised the television was appointed CEO of a rebranded children Michael and Genevieve, coverage of elections, with the help Australia Network. and by his stepdaughter, ABC of wonkish systems expert Anthony In 2007, Ian landed his dream reporter Eliza Blue. Green. The ABC’s election specials, job: Director of ABC Innovation, Jonathan Holmes and Mark Scott

Page 7 endless supply of weather stories from the United States about minor fl oods in Alaska, or cars snow bound on a freeway somewhere in Connecticut: of no interest Mike whatsoever to an Australian audience, but thrown into a bulletin because they are readily available to cover over the holes, Carlton like Spakfi lla. And, most awful of all, often scripted with the utmost banality and cliche: on the ABC Heavily armed police. Grave fears are held. Sifting through the rubble. A close- knit community. Rugged bushland. in 2011 Neighbours were shocked. Locals have expressed concern. All police leave has been cancelled. The heartbreak task of the boldness to experiment...outsourced cleaning up. Tension mounted. The road Guest speaker at the recent to commercial production houses of often toll escalated. Emotional scenes. Tributes Annual Dinner of Friends of the very-uneven quality. For every class act are pouring in. It took fi re brigades more ABC was veteran journalist, writer like, say, an Andrew Denton or the recent than two hours to extinguish the blaze. and political satirist Mike Carlton. Rake series with Richard Roxburgh, there Blah blah blah. In the fi rst part of his highly seems to me to be an increasing amount I know I will sound like a disgruntled old entertaining talk he spoke in of cookie-cutter rubbish which you might fart saying this, but if I or my colleagues detail of the the thoroughness and just as easily fi nd on Channel Ten. Or the had written that rubbish forty years ago, depth of his training as a cadet rest. Made not because it’s any good, but we would have been out of a job in 12 journalist with the ABC in the 60s because it can be on-sold to the Kiwis or months. Now it’s common currency. On and early 70s, and of the colourful the Canadians, or even the Japanese or and on it goes, at tedium, ad nauseum and characters who were part of whoever. nobody in any authority at the ABC seems the ABC in those days. He then to have the wit or the knowledge to put a refl rcted upon the ABC of today: As Quentin Dempster put it in a piece written for the Herald only a few weeks stop to it. If I want that crap, I can get it by ago: “Through a long and deliberate board the truckload from Seven, Nine and Ten. and management policy to dismantle The ABC should be better. Once upon a nd even though I ventured time it was. Now it’s not. eventually into commercial radio and de-skill internal television production, Aand television – and, indeed the ABC is now totally dependent on the newspapers - I always thought of myself commercial television production sector for as a creature of the ABC. The place taught almost all Australian non-news content.” me not all I know – far from it - but it laid “What’s wrong with that?” he asked. John Howard, as we an unshakeable foundation on beddrock, And he supplied the answer: “Our creative all know, stacked the upon which to build a career in journalism independence is being crushed out and the media. I retain a great affection and of us along with a conduit for diversity board with blatantly respect for the place, as almost anyone and originality nurtured in a creative political appointees training ground. The ABC cannot be truly who has ever worked seems to do. – Judith Sloan, So it pains me to say to you tonight that independent unless it has a capacity I believe that – in many aspects – the to create and produce its own original Ron Brunton, Janet standards and practices of the ABC have programming. The public trust in the ABC Albrechtsen and ebbed from their high watermark. I think is based on an expectation that we are the outsourcing of so much program- independent of commercial infl uence. We Keith Windschuttle making over the years has been little short are not. “ – ostensibly to rid of tragic. I look back on the sixties and I think that’s true. But I am more the place of political seventies and even the eighties, when concerned by the decline in news and the television studies at Gore Hill teemed current affairs. There, I believe, standards correctness, as he with activity, a creative ferment. There have slipped to an alarming degree. To used to sneer. was always a drama in production... the point where an ABC Television 7pm writers, producers, actors, directors news bulletin these days is very little thronged the corridors. In another studio: – if at all – different to the commercial Playschool. In a third, rehearsals for a competition that went out an hour earlier. And so, too, the practice of broadcasting light entertainwent or a quiz show. And the We get Tweedledee, Tweedledum and - the actual delivery of the words and editing suites would hum to the production Tweedledumber. Road accidents. News scripts themselves. It is often abominably of the ABC’s own documentary programs, stories which are not news at all, but bad. And this is a sin which spreads not nature shows, or a concert by the Sydney warmed-over products of the giant public just across radio and television news, Symphony Orchestra. But now, almost all relations and marketing industry which but into current affairs. Even to such of it gone. All that in-house creativity...and now has journalism in a stranglehold. An fl agship programs as AM, or Four Corners. Page 8 Scripts delivered in what Clive James memorably described as “ the plonking manner.” Dah de dah de dah dah... “police say they expect to make more arrests in coming weeks...doctors say the new treatment is a medical break- through...there have been angry clashes in parliament...Mike Carlton, ABC News, Canberra. Where does this junk come from? My wife, Morag Ramsay, has spent most of this year putting together the commemorative exhibition for 50 Years of Four Corners. Looking back, it is a revelation to see how good those earlier broadcasters were: Michael Charlton, Jim Downes, Peter Ross, Bob Sanders, John Penlington, Mike Willesee, Caroline Jones ...the list goes on. Their voices were mellow and modulated...but above all they spoke TO their audience, not AT it. In short: they communicated. Today, with some notable exceptions, I fear it’s an art that’s almost dead. I could go on here, too, about the urgent need for a programming revolution in TV news and current affairs. News 24 has, I think, been a total fl op. Almost nobody watches it. It has sucked valuable resources out of other news and current affairs programs...but still does not have enough to do the job properly. Best to scrap it altogether – although that would involve an enormous loss of face, from the Managing Director on down. And then there is the mess between 300-thousand viewers switch off when particularly The Australian newspaper, 7 and 8pm. First news, then 7.30. A the news fi nished at 7.30. Not good. If is ferocious and unending. Based programing format invented in 1967 and it were commercial television, heads largely on the notion that, if there’s any now, 34 years later, almost unchanged. would roll. broadcasting to be done, it should be for So often a report on 7.30 is merely a But let me fi nish on an up note. The the profi t of Rupert Murdoch. repeat of what we saw 15 minutes ago good news is that some things have I don’t think the Tories will ever win this on the 7pm news, with a few added bells not changed. I do believe the ABC argument. Every opinion poll ever done and whistles. When Kerry O’Brien quit remains, as committed as ever, to those shows that the Australian people value last year, the ABC had the opportunity three pillars of accuracy, balance and the ABC, and hold it in very much higher to do something radically different in fairness. The best of its news and current regard than they have for Mr Murdoch’s that time slot. They even called in some affairs people are as unswerving now organs and emissions. high-priced consultants to sort it out, for in their belief in the canons of public But that won’t stop the conservatives heaven’s sake. broadcasting...as unswerving as we were from trying. And we can be sure, if we But in the end, bugger all happened. fi fty years ago. And in the face of even ever come to that unhappy day that Tony News stayed the same. The 7.30 slot got more attack than ever. Abbott becomes Prime Minister, that the a garish and hideously expensive new For the conservative assault on the ABC undermining of the ABC would reach a set, with red and blue lighting that looks grows ever more hostile. John Howard, new intensity. like there’s a fi re engine parked outside. as we all know, stacked the board with For all its faults, its fl aws, its The two new presenters, Leigh Sales blatantly political appointees – Judith imperfections... the ABC remains one of and Chris Uhlmann, are very good Sloan, Ron Brunton, Janet Albrechtsen our great institutions, one of our fi nest journalists, no doubt. But they struggle and Keith Windschuttle – ostensibly to achievements as a people. It is possible with an old-fashioned format way past its rid the place of political correctness, as to imagine the ABC being better than use by date. A priceless opportunity for he used to sneer. But in fact to bring it is. But it is impossible to imagine our transforming change was squandered. the ABC to heel by imposing a political country without it. And for those reasons The audience fi gures show it: Give or correctness of his own ideological biases. – and many more – it must be cherished, take on different nights, roughly 250 to And the onslaught from News Ltd, most nurtured, and defended.

Page 9 The Australian’s Darce Art Attack on the ABC Cassidy

n a piece headed “Latest casualty The Melbourne Age came closer to the the daily book reading, Movie Time, By kicks the arts off our ABC”, Amanda mark on September 6th when Karl Quinn Design, Awaye and Airplay. A fi ve-day a IMeade, writing in The Australian, wrote that if proposed changes to the week books program has been retained claims that the ABC “will not have any Radio National schedule go ahead arts and will also include some other arts programs directly covering the arts, coverage on Radio National, excluding material. despite arts coverage being a key plank music, will be reduced to 18 hours and Neither Meade nor Quinn have mentioned of the ABC Charter.” Meade bases this 55 minutes a week. He calculates that his ABC Classic FM, or the ABC’s monthly arts claim on the fact that Art Nation on ABC would be a reduction of 16.5% compared magazine, Limelight. The cover story in the television and Artworks on Radio National to the current schedule. I’ve done my own August edition features Margaret Throsby’s are to be deleted from the schedule. calculations, and came to a slightly different interviews with ten great musicians: Bryn Like much of what The Australian fi gure, but in the same ballpark. However Terfel, Isaac Stern, Lorin Maazel, Phillip writes about the ABC these days, this is I can’t understand why he excluded music Glass, Pinchas Zukerman, Zubin Mehta, nonsense. from the arts when he compiled his fi gures. Yehudi Menuhin, Neville Marriner, Renee However there are genuine reasons for While Radio National looks set to reduce Fleming, and Barbara Cook. concerns about coverage of the arts on its arts coverage, it is clear that the station As far as critics who claim an interest in ABC television, and to a lesser degree is not ignoring the arts. Programs to be the arts are concerned, ABC Classic FM on radio. retained include Poetica, Lingua Franca, seems to be invisible and inaudible.

FABC Armidale Invite you to An Evening with Emma Ayres Presenter of ABC’s Classic FM Breakfast Program

When 28th October at 7.30pm Location The Hoskins Centre The Armidale School Bookings For enquiries and bookings Phone Barbara on 02 6771 1828

Emma joined the ABC in 2003 after some travelling viola to Vietnamese refugees detained in Hong Kong. exploits which included cycling across the Taklamakan Once in Australia she taught music and has since Desert in China. This was part of her year-long cycling become an accomplished cellist. quest from London to Hong Kong via Turkey, Pakistan From her love of music to her experiences travelling and Iran to raise money for charity. some of the world’s most exotic places you can be She spent 12 years as a professional player of the viola assured of an entertaining evening with one of the and during her travels Emma spent time teaching the ABC’s most engaging personalities.

Page 10 As a mirror to our culture, ABC is not sitting on its arts Mark Scott

BC historian Ken Inglis recalls is: a chance for the ABC to connect this to one of Australia’s most loved and wartime prime minister John content with as wide an audience as respected songwriters in November. ACurtin’s opinion of a light possible. We think it deserves no less. ABC TV and triple j will record the entertainment program that imagined We know from Arts Council research Sydney show, to air on ABC2 next year, listeners were at a party. ‘’If that is the that Australians have a high level of with a CD and DVD to follow. sort of party that is going to be held interest and engagement with the It speaks volumes for the community after the war, it is a good argument arts. It’s evident in the books we buy support for the ABC that almost every for keeping the war going,’’ Curtin - and hopefully read - in attendances content decision attracts debate. complained. at our galleries and museums, in the But our programmers and schedulers Satisfying everyone is impossible vibrancy of our musical life. It’s our need the freedom to innovate and and always has been. There has been responsibility to do all we can to see challenge; to search for better ways to a lot of debate in recent days about that interest in the arts is refl ected in engage the audience. Australia’s artists the ABC’s commitment to the arts, the audiences ABC TV is reaching with and arts audiences are not standing prompted by the end of one television its arts programming. We can do better. still, nor are we. To do so would be program, Art Nation, and a new draft The same applies to our other to consign the public broadcaster’s schedule for Radio National. The platforms. Artworks may be coverage of the arts to the worst of all former prompted an open letter to disappearing from Radio National but fates - irrelevance. the ABC board, penned by a group of the new schedule delivers more arts Mark Scott is managing director of esteemed arts fi gures protesting about coverage, more music programming the ABC. the ‘’destruction of ABC TV arts’’. and new specialist programs with fewer I am glad to see the passionate repeats. interest in ABC programming and Only last month, the ABC announced feel obliged to respond. The loss of a new digital radio channel, triple j a 30-minute Sunday afternoon arts Unearthed, which will be the only At home with Julia magazine program with an audience 100 per cent Australian music station in signifi cant decline should not and the only one capable of drawing inappropriate be confl ated with the end of arts solely from unsigned and uncovered The new ABC program “At home with programming. artists, including those from regional Julia” is very disappointing. This is In making its decision, ABC TV areas. Only the ABC can take that risk, not good humoured political satire at asked an important question: couldn’t continuing to promote new Australian all. It is not comedy either. This is not the ABC, given its place at the centre music through triple j in a way that has a subject that lends itself to even an of Australian cultural life, do better utterly changed Australian cultural life. attempt to entertain. It demeans the for the arts? We believe it can and it The open letter says: ‘’For the past status of the Prime Minister’s offi ce will. And we can do it by increasing 50 years, ABC TV has introduced and the Prime Minister herself. It also the ways arts stories are told, and Australians to an array of extraordinary makes a fool of Tim. telling them in greater depth than the local artists - from Sir Robert Helpmann magazine format permits. And we will It purports to be able to show the to Kate Grenville, from the emerging see to it that the heavy lifting for the public how Tim and Julia behave to arts is done right across the ABC - not Western Desert artists to Nick Cave . . . each other, how Tim is awkwardly just on television. Where else do we turn to celebrate our trying to get used to living in the great artists?’’ We want the ABC to live up to Lodge, behave to the staff and its charter role ‘’to encourage and The answer, emphatically, remains to shopkeepers in the area. What promote the musical, dramatic and the ABC - on television, radio, online would the script writers know about other performing arts in Australia’’ and beyond, as our content fl ows this anyway? This is a pretentious in the most relevant way possible. increasingly through the rivers of social exercise. The program seems to say Audience tastes and viewing habits are networks. Over the remainder of this “these people don’t belong there”. evolving constantly. There is no plan to year and 2012, ABC1 and ABC2 will, It sends the wrong messages. This chase ratings with more populist fare. for example, feature documentaries program falls far short of high ABC The ABC will continue to serve niche on musicians Rowland Howard and quality. As a member of the Friends audiences - we’re comfortable with the Ben Lee, fi lmmaker Paul Cox and of the ABC I request that it be fact that cultural pursuits won’t often choreographer Tanja Liedtke. discontinued. draw MasterChef-type fi gures. I note that Nick Cave is one of the Klaas Woldring, ABC TV’s decision to end the Sunday letter’s signatories. Triple j is presenting Pearl Beach, 2256 afternoon slot and shift arts stories into Straight to You: triple j’s Tribute to Nick prime time should be seen for what it Cave - a concert tour paying tribute Page 11 after the Christmas/New Year break), has been characterised by plenty of internal activity and not a little Branch News external activity too. On the latter front, David Stratton drew the largest audience to any of our and suggestions that the ABC should meetings thus far this year with a wide be privatized. Branch members were The Hunter ranging talk about his life generally encouraged to respond vigorously to The Hunter Friends of the ABC starting with his experiences as a boy any future attacks from NEWS LTD committee organised a visit to the in England with a Grandmother who publications. 1233 radio station on the corner of took him to the movies at least once Wood Street and Parry Street. It had Members expressed concern about a week. His permanent residence been seven years since the Friends proposed cut-backs to ABC TV and in Australia was almost accidental, had their last visit to, and tour of, the Radio National programs. Of particular following a reluctant release from Newcastle ABC radio station. Members concern is the loss of the national the family business to enable him to who were at the previous visit would broadcaster’s in-house production visit Australia for a holiday. It was his remember what a great time it was, capacity. appointment to run the Sydney Film which culminated in a live group cheer An annual general meeting was Festival not long after that put paid to over the radio. This year’s visit has been held on the same day resulting in the any permanent return to the land of scheduled for Saturday 24 September, following election of offi cers. his birth, for which we are the grateful starting at 9:00 AM. The host for the President: Neville Jennings benefi ciaries. His reminiscences of the morning will be the station manager early days of “The Movie Show” at Phil Ashley-Brown. The Hunter FABC Vice President: Jill Keogh SBS prior to his move with Margaret Annual General Meeting was scheduled Treasurer: Ed Bennett Pomeranz to the ABC for “At the to start at Devonshire House on King Movies” had some resonance for our Street at the conclusion of the visit to Byron sub-branch convenor: activities. Jill Keogh the radio station. In particular his comment that the Lisa Thomas, Hunter FABC Secretary Committee members: Sue Sawkins, early days at a much smaller SBS were Steve Sawkins, Denise Bennett, Roger probably the most fun, since if there and Shae Seccombe, Doug Myler, was ever a problem, all David had to do Therese Crollick, Tony Betts. to fi x it was to stroll down the corridor Northern Rivers and into the Managing Director’s Retiring Vice President Doug Myler On Sunday 17 July the Northern Rivers offi ce. As the organisation grew, this was thanked for his long se rvice to the branch hosted a rally to address claims became no longer possible, ultimately branch. made by the Weekend Australian and leading to the departure of the duo its feature writer Chris Kenny on May Future branch activities will focus on when the connection was lost. a defence of specialized Radio National 28-29. Moving to more internal matters, programs and core ABC TV programs Speakers at the rally included Hans we have an issue for some of our such as Art Nation, New Inventors and Lovejoy (editor of the Byron Echo), members that our normal monthly The Collectors. Tony Betts has spoken Jenny Dowell (Mayor of Lismore), Ian meeting place (Wentworth Falls) is to Bob Carr at the Byron Writers’ Cohen (recently retired Greens MLC) a little distant for some, so we have Festival about a possible return visit and Neville Jennings (representing experimented with a meeting at to address the Northern Rivers FABC the Northern Rivers branch). Speakers Springwood (in the lower mountains, branch. specifi cally rebutted claims made in about 40KM distant from Wentworth the Weekend Australian about the Falls in the upper mountains). We were ABC being controlled by an inner- suffi ciently encouraged to repeat this city elite for a like-minded audience. Blue Mountains experiment, possibly at another venue. Speakers also addressed the spurious The fi rst half of the year for FABC- A branch survey was conducted to claims that the national broadcaster Blue Mountains members (we resume determine what our members’ interests no longer aspires to be “Your ABC” normal transmission in late February are and in particular, what motivates people to become a part of the FABC family, and to stay. The results were very interesting and will inform our future activities. If any branch is interested in conducting a similar survey, we would be happy to provide the questionnaire with you. We also had a meeting with Mark Scott to address some issues of particular relevance to our members. From left to right: Neville Jennings, Jenny Dowell, Ian Cohen and Hans Lovejoy. In brief these were to improve local transmission and production facilities Page 12 come together at university through a and using this immensely valuable common interest in student debating. material. This led to them starting a newspaper The talk was very well received, called The Chaser which attracted stimulating many questions from the interest of Andrew Denton the audience. People lingered on who then invited them to work in talking and seemed reluctant to leave. television. Julian emphasized Andrew’s The whole gathering proved very importance as a mentor throughout successful and we were all pleased to his talk, saying that he and the rest hear that a new season of The Chaser of the team would have worked in an will commence on October 5. abattoir if Andrew had suggested it! Dorothy Jones Julian Morrow with FABC Illawarra Committee The contract the group signed was with members Andrew, not with the ABC, although he insists the ABC is the right place for the show to appear. He claims, ACT and Region and to offer a position (and help) on however, that Andrew’s training has ACT and Region Friends will be some of the foreshadowed RN changes. been essential to the success of a lunching at ‘A Bite to Eat’, Shop 8, While it is too early to judge the program which has now run for ten Eggleston Crescent, Chifl ey, Canberra outcome, the meeting was promising years. For some time the team has (the courtyard area) at 12.30pm on and a mutually rewarding one for our been courted by commercial channels, Saturday 19th November for our end branch and I believe for the ABC too, but has refused all their offers, of year function. since a lot of ideas and opinions were believing their freedom would be Please email Margaret O’Connor on communicated both ways, and we severely curtailed if the show appeared [email protected] to confi rm have some positive (and no negative) anywhere other than the ABC. your booking. Out of towners who outcomes already. Julian considers it vital the ABC support the ABC and who are visiting Tony Tayler - President produce its own news and current Canberra for the weekend would also affairs programs, commenting on be most welcome to attend. what a fi ne job it does with only Illawarra limited funds. He believes, however, that independent production Lunch with Julian Morrow companies are essential to guarantee On Sunday August 14, around 100 full independence at the ABC by members of the Illawarra Branch of making the kind of shows commercial the Friends met for lunch at The Links broadcasters, would consider far at Shell Cove to hear a talk by Julian too controversial. He then listed as Morrow from The Chaser. This proved examples a number of ABC programs Check a highly enjoyable and entertaining made by outside companies: Summer occasion and it was particularly Heights High, The Chaser’s War on pleasing to see a number of young Everything, Kath and Kim. Although he out our people among the audience. Before acknowledges the ABC is adventurous introducing Julian, our president, in what it will screen, he also believes Chris Cartledge, spoke of the problems that if certain types of program were Website! arising from continued outsourcing made in house, too many restrictions of ABC programs, pointing to the would be placed on both producer and risk that this could eventually lead to cast. He is sure, for example, that the increasing diffi culty in distinguishing APEC stunt, in which a car carrying s Want information on the the national broadcaster’s programs an Osama bin Laden impersonator latest issues? from those of commercial stations, joined the motorcade of foreign heads s Need a printable and urging members of the Friends of state, could have been made only membership application? to challenge both politicians and the through an independent company. ABC management over this. In his Nevertheless, Julian emphasized s Current and past issues of talk, however, Julian presented a rather the immense importance of the Update? different point of view, saying that ABC and its work, insisting on the s Who to write to? although he believed passionately in importance of Public Broadcasting the importance and need for public for producing a diverse vision of broadcasting, he himself had never Australia, and he believes there should Go to: been employed by the ABC and it always be some shows on the ABC www.fabcnsw.org.au was his ambition this would always that people hate! True friends of the continue to be the case. ABC need to keep insisting on quality Or check out the National Portal He described the importance of broadcasting. Another point Julian (links to all states): programs like The D Generation and made was the great treasure the ABC Frontline when he was growing up and has in its archives. He wants to see www.friendsoftheabc.org.au explained how the Chaser team had the broadcaster fi nd ways of liberating

Page 13 A perception of bias – the ABC and the Flotilla My initial complaint through the about ‘the rockets’. During this criminal website urgently requested some war we often heard the viewpoint of Israel David Macilwain ‘editorial’ comment on the programme’s through spokesman Mark Regev – a fellow July 24, 2011 contentious presentation, but it took a Australian, while then acting PM Julia second complaint before I received a reply Gillard famously defended Israel’s ‘right from Audience and Consumer Affairs. to self-defence’. While fi lm from Gaza ollowing Israel’s lethal attack on the Their totally unsatisfactory response, was available on Arabic networks, the Freedom Flotilla last year, there was which included the words ‘scrupulously ABC was apparently content to go with Fa widespread perception that Israel balanced’, allowed me to expand my the fl ow and allow Israel’s propaganda to had committed multiple offences against criticism into the context of the blockade infl uence public opinion. As evidence of international law in its determination to on Gaza and why I found it unacceptable the continuing success of this campaign, maintain its strangle hold on Gaza. The that what to me was clearly Israeli we need only look at the recent climate fl eet of ships carrying humanitarian aid and propaganda had been screened by the surrounding Marrickville’s support for 600 unarmed civilians was in international ABC, and given its implicit stamp of BDS, and although the Murdoch press waters when intercepted, and nine people approval. As the reply to this letter was no and political leaders were here the key were shot dead and many injured by Israeli better, I decided to take the complaint up supporters of the Israel Lobby, the ABC commandos as they seized control of the with the Independent Complaints Review gave tacit support by being mostly silent. Mavi Marmara. Despite being entirely Panel. I submitted my correspondence And so I waited, and wondered! The responsible for the attack and casualties, to them, as well as a lengthy explanation various enquiries into the Flotilla attack Israel’s chief concern was how this might and expansion of the background, an released their conclusions, which were affect their international image, already understanding of which to me is a vital part uniformly damning, though Israel’s own suffering since their assault on Gaza the of the complaint. While the Panel points Turkel commission found otherwise, previous year, and the ongoing siege that out that this background was not the even though revealing the excesses of the Flotilla intended to break. subject of their investigation, I have little the attack. Perhaps against my better Thanks to Israel’s jamming of broadcasts doubt that it was helpful in establishing judgement I submitted more ‘information’ from the fl eet, and seizure of cameras and the validity of my viewpoint. In particular, I to the Panel, but I received no hint of how laptops from people on it, they already had had recommended that the ABC provide a my complaint was progressing, other than control of part of ‘the narrative’, and while link to a fi lm by Anthony Lawson (1) which that ‘a lot of material’ had been received Turkey and the UN launched enquiries effectively deconstructs Jane Corbin’s fi lm, from the BBC. It was only when I received to try to establish the truth of what and I was later pleased to discover that the the ICRP’s fi nal report that I began to happened, Israel set about promoting its Panel had viewed it. understand what was going on there, desired narrative – one which absolved Once the ICRP had decided there was and it was an awful lot more than I ever it from responsibility and established a a case to answer, there wasn’t much for imagined. legal justifi cation for the attack. Whether me to do except wait, and periodically I had a note from the ICRP that their it sought the cooperation of international complain to the ABC on related issues. report had been submitted to the ABC media in this mission, or whether they To my perception, there is a general at the beginning of June, but I still had were already sympathetic and so accepted bias toward the Israeli ‘viewpoint’ in the no idea what its conclusions were. I had Israel’s initial justifi cations we cannot say, ABC ( as well as in the rest of the media been getting impatient to hear for a while, but the BBC apparently decided to assist of course) - it comes naturally enough as the time of the second Flotilla to Gaza them by commissioning a Panorama that it is not perceived by them as being approached. But by June Israel had ‘investigation’. In a move that confi rms this unbalanced. This goes with a simplistic extended its blockade to include Greece impression, long time reporter Jane Corbin appraisal of balance as something and the fl otilla was impounded. I was told I was given unprecedented access to Israel achieved simply by presenting ‘both must wait for the ABC to get in touch with military personnel, and went on to produce sides’ in a confl ict, even when one side is me, and had almost given up when a large the documentary “Death in the Med”. children throwing stones, and the other envelope arrived in the mail, containing the When the BBC screened the side is a fi ghter jet fi ring guided missiles. ICRP report – all 37 pages – and a letter documentary in mid-August it provoked Such was the case in the coverage of from Mark Scott, detailing the breaches some 1500 complaints, as well as an open Israel’s attack on Gaza in 2009; not of Editorial Policies and the statement letter from 30 ‘signifi cant people’, for its only was one of the world’s most lethal that would be published on the website. seriously unbalanced presentation. Despite armies using every weapon imaginable I needed to lie down! Which wasn’t a this reaction, the ABC obtained the fi lm against a captive and basically unarmed problem as it was bedtime, but then I couldn’t sleep for thinking what to do next. and screened it without comment as civilian population, but it controlled the ‘Collision Course’ in early September, and media machine to such a degree that And this actually takes us to where we so began my personal fi ght for truth and most Western nations saw nothing of are now. The fi ndings of the ICRP go balance in the ABC’s presentation of the the massacre and destruction meted out beyond those of the BBC Trust committee, Israel-Palestine confl ict. on Gazans, even though they knew all not surprisingly in some ways as like Page 14 Israel’s self-investigations; the BBC trust shared by many others. Most signifi cant the release of the fi nal UN report into the was too compromised to be much use. of their conclusions was the fi nding that affair can be postponed no longer for the It is nevertheless great credit to the ICRP the ABC had ‘taken an editorial stance’ sake of America’s political agenda. And for and Michael Foster QC that they stood in favour of the Israeli perspective as the ABC – I’m all ears! up to the challenges to their fi ndings that presented by Corbin – that the Flotilla came from both the ABC and the BBC was simply a political stunt. It is a bit The ICRP’s report can be read at:- when they submitted a Preliminary report of an unfortunate irony that the ICRP is http://abc.net.au/corp/pubs/statements/ in January. The details of their arguments now being disbanded – I hope that what s3254757.htm are interesting to read if one has time, and replaces it will not be a compromised Anthony Lawson’s video deconstruction of I am humbled that my own arguments arrangement like that of the BBC. Death in the Med:- have been considered so seriously – As I write, Israel still refuses to apologise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afBr10 though they are of course arguments to Turkey for the killing of its citizens, and f38TI&feature=player_embedded Few value the gem of the nation:

an anti-intellectual place. Because the bulk of Australians either don’t want an Radio National upmarket, refl ective, ideas-driven radio station or they don’t know it’s there. Or maybe, in some cases, voyeurs have audiences. The fact is RN should already fl icked to RN, found the subject matter not have bigger audiences. Despite its faults Errol Simper to their liking, and vowed never to return. June 27, 2011 and fl aws, it’s by far the most cerebral broadcast outlet in Australia. It’s true some This latter, come to think of it, might have staple programs and presenters get stale happened to numerous potential RN listeners. Because RN, unlike most of you read those and predictable from time to time. Some its competitors, tends to have specialist recurrent programs are good, but not really as good segments: on science, books, architecture Whenstories (as as they could be, or maybe should be. Yet and design, indigenous affairs, the law, recently in The Australian and The Sydney in general terms, RN attempts to approach health, fi lm, rural affairs, philosophy, music Morning Herald) about Radio National pretty well every topic on its radar in a and numerous other topics. being revamped, overhauled or reviewed, thoughtful, logical and sensible manner. you know differing emotions will fl y off in a It is unashamedly intelligent, eschewing To deal briefl y and solely with music: variety of predictable directions. the silly and the sensationalist, as well Andrew Ford’s The Music Show as that commodity so beloved of lesser Some RN afi cionados rapidly become (Saturdays, 10am) is one of the most stations, the false premise. Even RN’s indignant and accuse ABC radio interesting, authoritative music programs 6pm concession to the talkback format, management of intending to dumb down you’ll hear anywhere in the world. Robyn Australia Talks, curtails the false premise, the station. Some listeners become Johnston’s Into The Music (Saturdays, the core of so much commercial radio defensive about a particular program they 5pm) falls into a similar category. And Nell babble. Australia Talks always has a panel enjoy, and vow that if anything terminal Schofi eld’s history repeat, The Story of of experts tempering, and occasionally happens to it, RN will never again darken Pop (Saturdays, 7pm), is close to superb. correcting, dubious propositions callers their wireless dial. Those who have barely may have picked up from a bit of loose In many ways specialisation is a brilliant heard of RN will be stoically unmoved. talk in a rowdy pub. radio idea, because those with specifi c And commentators of a certain vintage will interests know precisely where to turn at a All this brings you to the question of why have seen and heard it all before. specifi c time. If you’re fascinated by, say, RN’s share of the national radio audience, volcanoes, an entire program given over For what it’s worth, the scribe’s reaction even on a good day, rarely extends to these all but annual bouts of internal RN beyond 3 per cent. The scribe must to volcanoes can be irresistible. Equally, scrutiny is despair -- sadness bordering concede he can’t take you much beyond a dial-twiddler, not faintly interested in on depression. It isn’t brought on by the that ancient but famous explanation volcanoes, might be inclined to twiddle reported revamp, or whatever it’s being from Phillip Adams (Late Night Live, ever more frenetically. called that year. Radio stations, television RN, 10pm and 4pm) as to why the old Anyway, we probably shouldn’t stations and newspapers are always pre-commercialised SBS television didn’t discourage the acting RN manager, monitoring their output, tinkering at the attract bigger audiences for its more Michael Mason, from spending the margins with something that isn’t working, intellectually inclined offerings. Adams, a remainder of the year having wise and making judicious notes about the regular Saturday columnist in this journal, thoughts about how RN, over a three-year material that’s getting a more favourable wrote that the fault lay not with SBS or period, can be rendered more attractive to reception out there. its schedulers -- the problem was the a new generation of thirty-somethings. A The thing that brings on the despair is audience. We’d have to apply Adams’ radio format, however well conceived, can the fact that RN should feel a requirement formula to RN and reluctantly conclude come to sound formulaic and predictable, to fi ddle with itself to attract bigger that Australia, at heart, continues to be and a bit of quality-oriented calibration. Page 15 Outsourcing the arts at Aunty: the problem with commissioning

NICHOLAS PICKARD, freelance “it’s not unusual in television for Quentin Dempster has today been journalist and former NSW productions to be ‘outsourced’. That’s quoted in The Australian as saying the government arts advisor, writes: what a co-production is and its how removal of in-house productions as an umours have swirled for just most television is made”. “intentional destruction of the ABC’s over a week and yesterday ABC According to the source, there are creative independence”. Rmanagement confi rmed what endemic problems with in-house Arts industry fi gures were more had already been suspected: ABC TV’s productions at the ABC, “which cautious to condemn the ABC until fl agship program Arts Nation has been happen when people within an plans for arts coverage are better axed and 15 people have also been organisation get promoted to positions outlined by management. Lyndon reportedly offered redundancies. they aren’t suited to. Not because Terracini, artistic director of Opera The program has been screened for that’s what they should be doing, but Australia, told Crikey that “it seems just three years with limited publicity because they’ve earned it through unthinkable the ABC won’t have an and yet Kim Dalton, head of ABC being there so long”. arts division [however] there should Television, told The Sydney Morning be a balance between what happens Herald that one of the reasons for in-house and what happens externally its axing is audiences had fallen by with private producers”. “about 30-odd per cent over the past Cassandra Wilkinson, chair of Sydney few years”. The axing will not affect radio station FBi FM and Music NSW Tuesday’s Artscape slot, the First Australian society board member, says the problem isn’t Tuesday Book Club, At The Movies or would be much in producing good arts television -- it’s ABC2 Live arts performances. commissioning it. Reaction to the move has been poorer if the ABC “Private people make great TV but aggrieved, primarily because ABC were to not provide they need to be commissioned to do management are keeping their access to, and it,” she told Crikey. “The ABC needs to cards close to their chest over how be clear about what it has an obligation they intend to cover the arts. Many analysis of, our to commission, which in my view commentators are quick to quote the cultural output on includes a body of work that explores ABC charter, but the charter is at best free-to-air television and celebrates Australian art and vague on how the national broadcaster culture.” needs to “encourage and promote She pointed to the success of FBi FM the musical, dramatic and other (a community radio station focused performing arts in Australia”. on local arts, culture and music) that To add to the ABC’s challenges, the In a statement to staff, Dalton stated attracts an average of 250,000 listeners: recently appointed ABC Controller that “the online portal Arts Gateway, “The audience for Australian music, Brendan Dahill has been given will continue as will the Sunday art and culture is bigger than anyone fi ve years to turn the network’s afternoon block of acquired arts predicted and just keeps growing. demographic around from a majority programs from Australia and around Australian culture shouldn’t be of over-65s to an audience from 18-40. the world”. treated as a grudging obligation, it’s That is no mean feat when the ABC is a an opportunity for great content and This shift to outsourcing content legacy broadcaster. is the move that most concerns bigger audiences.” There have been instances in recent the arts industry. The sector has Ralph Myers, artistic director at years that point to good ABC arts watched as serious arts content has the Sydney-based Belvoir St Theatre, program commissions under the shrunk drastically throughout the captured the mood of many of the mainstream media, most particularly in Artscape banner including The Art Life industry people Crikey spoke to broadsheet newspapers. Large chunks and This Is Not Art. yesterday in saying that “a vibrant of available space are regularly taken Others, however, point to a lack of artistic culture relies on criticism and up by easily found syndicated articles funding resources by the ABC to stick analysis”. from newspapers in the UK and the with serious and regular arts programs “Australian society would be much United States because of poor resources as it does with politics and sport. They poorer if the ABC were to not provide allocated to arts desks. point to programs such as Express, access to, and analysis of, our A television industry source Review and Sunday Arts that have all cultural output on free-to-air explained to Crikey yesterday that been left by the wayside. ABC presenter television,” he said. Page 16 Ratings chase is no pursuit for a public broadcaster

And why does it seem to have lost interest in the notion of public good? The Margaret Seares closer ABC TV comes to looking like a The Australian commercial broadcaster, the louder the The board and management must decide to voices will be who argue that the ABC go back to fi rst principles, back to the ABC’s might as well go commercial and get off charter, and look at other ways of dealing have been times the public purse. And what a long-term with an issue that goes right to the heart of THERE over the past year tragedy that would be for our country. what a public broadcaster is all about. or so when I have thought The Australian The internal email announcing the cuts Margaret Seares is a former chairwoman was being unduly critical of the ABC and at the ABC apparently spoke of “an of the ABC’s Arts Advisory Committee its public broadcaster status. But the increasingly competitive broadcasting and of the Australia Council for the Arts. recent news of cuts to arts programs and environment” and of the need to focus personnel at ABC TV, and the reasons resources on prime-time TV and, given for those cuts, have caused me to apparently, away from the arts. pause and think again. Why is the ABC so concerned about If ABC TV director Kim Dalton is correctly Who watches competing with commercial television? reported as saying the changes are due It’s not competing for sponsors, and who Media Watch? to poor ratings, this is a real concern to says it has to compete for viewers? It all who believe in the value of a public must be possible to look at other ways More than broadcaster. of measuring impact, other than with the The public-good values that led to crude tool of ratings. listen to Jones. governments funding arts and cultural If the ratings drive is coming from institutions due to their tendency towards Media Watch last night played pressure from politicians, then perhaps “market failure” was the same ethos that a clip from an interview with it’s time for a public debate involving led to the establishment of the great public Sydney radio host Alan Jones our elected representatives about what broadcasters of Great Britain, Canada and last week who disparagingly exactly we think we want from a national Australia. asked “who watches Media broadcaster. This came with an understanding that Watch?” and generally bagged education as well as entertainment was an We’ve got enough TV channels that all the program. essential part of the broadcaster’s output. look pretty similar to one another. Surely The value of the broadcaster was not only we can have one or two that look and Let’s go to the numbers... about ratings but also about impact on sound just a bit different and a bit more Last night, 584,000 people watched and for the community. And in some parts interesting? Media Watch in the fi ve metro of the ABC, notably Radio National and I’m sure that respondents from the ABC markets. In Sydney, according Classic FM, these values still seem to be will tell us that there is plenty of exposure to radio ratings survey four, a alive and well. But not, it seems, ABC TV. for the arts on ABC Online. cumulative 501,000 people listened It’s quite different for the commercial to Alan Jones on his 2GB breakfast That’s great. But why not on television broadcasters, where the numbers are an shift, and the average daily audience too? After all, there’s news and current essential tool in attracting advertisers. was 172,000. Media Watch’s Sydney affairs on both. There’s cooking on both. But why does a TV broadcaster that audience last night was 202,000. What’s wrong with the arts on both? does not have a commercial imperative appear to be so obsessed with ratings, to Is there some sort of cultural cringe going So the answer to Jones’s the extent that commitments in its charter on here, dressed up as a worry about sledging question is: look like being blithely tossed aside? money and ratings? From my time chairing more people watch Media Watch And why is it seemingly copying the the ABC’s Arts Advisory Committee nearly than listen to Alan Jones, especially commercial channels, with its ads and a decade ago, I recall that savings in the in Sydney! arts would provide such small pickings promos, with its local news services that Glenn Dyer rival the commercial channels in terms compared with, for example, news and of “law and order” stories, and with its current affairs across all platforms, that it’s Crikey whittling away of local productions and hard not to think that this must be about August 2, 2011 niche programs? more than just money and ratings. Page 17 Media matters Murdoch down but not out

has resulted in a media corporation which It’s not the end some governments have a vested interest News International is retreating only to the to support, most politicians are afraid to extent needed to confi ne the fallout and curtail, and which believes itself to be leave open the door for future expansion. above the law. Glenys Stradijot, News Corporation’s sudden closure The New Statesman wrote on 7 Friends of the ABC (Vic) of NoW was widely considered to be a July: “The issue concerns the intimate shrewd attempt to save its plan to take full relationship between one media ownership of Britain’s prominent pay TV corporation and the British state. Many any issues are raised by the company. News Corporation subsequently prominent fi gures in British society live in News of the World phone- dropped its BSkyB bid, but only when it terror of Mr Murdoch. It is not just concern Mhacking scandal that rocked looked like the British Parliament was set about how the Sun and NoW can infl uence Britain. Prominent among them must be to vote unanimously to urge it to withdraw. opinion, but also the fear that, if they who owns the media and how much of it cross News International, its papers might Will Murdoch be found to have any anyone should be allowed to own. culpability in what has happened at NoW? unearth some fragment of their private Can his expansion, in Britain at least, be There is the matter of whether Rupert lives and use it to discredit and embarrass curtailed? Murdoch is a ‘fi t and proper’ person to them. Moreover, the tentacles of News hold a media licence. Police say more than Corp reach so deeply into national life that The corporate business structure exists 4,000 people may have been the target of almost everybody of importance has been for owners to outsource their risks and NoW phone hacking, including murdered seduced in some fashion.” responsibilities in order to maximise their children and their families, the relatives profi ts. of soldiers killed in action, and London’s News Corporation has not ruled out 2005 terrorist bombing victims. If true, the possibility that it will replace its NoW this is not the result of a rogue reporter or sensationalist Sunday tabloid by simply executive. The pressure to do what it takes extending The Sun to Sunday. The Sun to maximise profi t comes from the top and is Britain’s best selling daily newspaper, it is diffi cult to believe that authority for the infamous for its semi-naked ‘Page 3 girls’. widely reported payment of £100,000 a Murdoch had already gained in-principle year for a contractor who illegally taped Will Murdoch be government approval to secure total phones would not have come from high up found to have any ownership of BSkyB. He is not prohibited the corporate ladder. culpability in what has from resurrecting the bid, which would However, NoW’s reprehensible actions, happened at NoW? deliver him dominance of the British media and the state’s failure to act on the root market, and in the meantime continues to causes when revelations of NoW phone- Can his expansion, maintain effective voting control of BSkyB. tapping came to police attention several in Britain at least, be There is no certainty that the interests of years ago, are also potent examples of the the British public will prevail. dangers of insuffi cient media ownership curtailed? Even before the Murdoch phone- diversity. hacking scandal, FABC and many others Until the latest shocking revelations, had expressed serious concern about British politicians were reluctant to Australia’s dangerously high concentration criticise criminality at News International of commercial media ownership, including (News Corporation’s British division). The the threat it poses to public broadcasters Press Complaints Commission failed to which the powerful Murdoch empire views take decisive action on information that as competitors for its audience. indicated the problem of NoW phone- It concluded: “This is the result of Please write to the Australian hacking was widespread, and the police allowing one corporation to control almost Government to let them know you want its inquiry was shamefully inadequate. 40 per cent of newspaper circulation.” action to achieve strong media ownership The prominent position of Murdoch’s News Corporation’s Australian newspaper diversity to ensure our culture thrives and News Corporation in the media landscape circulation is almost 70 per cent. our democracy is uncompromised.

Page 18 Additionally, the online Arts Gateway will continue to be a source of unique Changes to ABC arts content and ABC Radio should not be overlooked as a source of great arts content. Last month, ABC Radio launched Television Programming triplej Unearthed, a new digital radio station, which will play 100% Australian music- the fi rst of its kind in the country. In November, Triple j will also present a concert tour Kim Dalton The over-arching aim, however, paying tribute Nick Cave. Additionally, Director is produce quality content for Radio National has just released its new ABC Television ABC audiences. draft schedule, which will deliver more arts and more music programming with fewer repeats to Australian audiences. n early August ABC Television from 104,000 the previous year. Sunday announced it would not renew New Arts, the program that it replaced in 2010, The ABC operates a mixed model IInventors and Art Nation and that it had average audiences of 145,000 in for content creation consisting of both would rest Collectors. The cancellation of 2009 and 175,000 in 2008. This pattern internal and independent production. The New Inventors and Art Nation was driven of declining audiences for a late-afternoon economics of the television industry make by a number of factors. arts program led ABC Television to cancel it impossible for the ABC to maintain the massive infrastructure and staff base While the Corporation has received the series. necessary to only produce television funding increases for television As audiences’ tastes and interests content internally. programming in specifi c genres in recent change so too does programming and Independent production allows the ABC triennial funding rounds, technological program scheduling. From time to time to access creative talent and intellectual changes including the introduction of digital programs are refreshed or cancelled by property from the broader production multi-channels, the growth of interactive broadcasters. Sometimes programs end industry and to engage with a diversity of services, the popularity of time-shifted because audiences interest declines and ideas. Internal production has delivered viewing and the range of new devices at other times because the performers many great Australian programs. through which audiences can now watch or producers decide to move onto other Similarly the ABC’s partnerships with the content, have all fundamentally affected the things. It is the ABC’s responsibility to independent production industry have television industry, including the ABC. consider the value of its own productions and output and to make changes to its produced many iconic programs on the The growth of digital multi-channels schedule where necessary. ABC over the years. Programs such as has driven increased competition for Seachange, Kath and Kim, the Hollow Some commentators have stated that acquired content. Since mid-2009 the Men, Paper Giants: The Story of Cleo, these programming changes bring into average price paid per hour for acquired Rake, Summer Heights High, Constructing question the ABC’s commitment to its content on ABC1 has risen by 8%. The Australia: The Bridge, The Prime Minister is Charter obligation to promote the Arts. ABC estimates that hourly rates for ABC1 Missing, Gruen Transfer and the Chaser. prime time programmes will increase Others have commented that the changes The ABC, however, does produce a great further across 2011/12. At the same time indicate that the ABC increasingly seeks to outsource its content. deal of television content internally. Over commercial and screenrights revenues the last 3 years 84% of the ABC’s content The ABC takes seriously its obligation returned to ABC Television for reinvestment hours (excluding news/current affairs to promote the Arts and is committed in programming has been adversely and Rage) were commissioned internally. to delivering a diverse range of arts affected. Regardless of the source of the content programming that is produced internally, In determining its schedule, ABC however the ABC retains editorial control as well as commissioning work with Television must also take into account over the content created for its audience. independent Australian artists, performers audience engagement. While ratings do The ABC’s Editorial Policies set strict and program makers. not dictate programming choices they do standards to ensure the Corporation retains indicate if a program is in need of a refresh While Art Nation has not been renewed, its independence and integrity and that or if the ABC has to fi nd new ways of ABC Television is re-directing funding all content produced meets the editorial engaging audiences on important issues and resources to alternative high-quality, objectives of the ABC. audience-focused arts programming in and themes. A key challenge for the ABC, as a the prime-time schedules of ABC1 and In the case of New Inventors, ABC taxpayer-funded body, is to meet its ABC2. ABC Television will continue Television commissioned 314 episodes and Charter and audience commitments in a to commission content including live invested over $32 million across its eight way that ensure an effi cient and effective concerts, performances and plays, opera, series. However, the program’s audiences use of resources. The ABC considers that ballet, choirs, fi lm, dance, performing arts, a mixed-production model allows the ABC had fallen from a peak of over a million reviews, interviews and documentaries. to focus its strengths in some areas in its viewers in 2004 to an average of 500,000 The Artscape slot (10pm Tuesdays), will internal productions and also to utilise the in 2010, indicating audience fatigue. comprise almost entirely Australian content, skills of the independent production sector The decision to cancel Art Nation including the current staples of First to produce quality content in other areas. refl ected similar audience concerns. In Tuesday Book Club and Jennifer Byrne The over-arching aim, however, is produce 2011 to date, the program has averaged presents, a diverse range of one off series quality content for ABC audiences. We will around 77,000 viewers each week, down and arts documentaries. continue to strive to this end.

Page 19 State and Regional Branches

National Web Portal links Ross McGowen Illawarra Queensland – FABC to all State Branches. Phone: 4385 5947 Jan Kent (Secretary) Professor Alan Knight [email protected] Friends of the ABC Illawarra Creative Industries Faculty QUT Go to: PO Box 336, Unanderra 2526 GPO Box 2434 www.friendsoftheabc.org.au Cowper Phone/Fax: 4271 3531 Brisbane 4001 Joyce Gardner (Secretary) [email protected] [email protected] New South Wales FABC Cowper [email protected] Mal Hewitt (President) FABC NSW 7 Royal Tar Crescent Mid North Coast PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 Nambucca Heads NSW 2448 Drusi Megget South Australia – FABC Phone: 9637 2900 Phone: 6568 7532 PO Box 1752 Sandra Kanck [email protected] [email protected] Port Macquarie NSW 2444 PO Box 7158 Hutt St Phone: 6583 8798 Adelaide SA 5000 ACT and Region Eastern Suburbs [email protected] Phone: 8336 4114 Margaret O’Connor Nizza Siano (Secretary) [email protected] Phone: 0422 975 848 16 Holland Rd Northern Rivers [email protected] Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 Neville Jennings Western Australia – FABC Phone/Fax: 9327 3423 PO Box 1484 Kingscliff 2487 Harry Cohen Armidale [email protected] Phone/Fax: 6674 3830 (H) PO Box 534 Val Sherwell [email protected] Subiaco WA 6904 167 Markham Street Great Lakes & Manning [email protected] Byron Bay Sub-branch convenor Armidale NSW 2350 Valley Phone: 6772 0342 Jill Keogh Tasmania – FABC Margaret Gardner Phone: 6688 4558 [email protected] PO Box 871 Forster NSW 2428 Melissa Sharpe Ph: 6554 9181 (H) 6591 3704 (W) PO Box 301 Blue Mountains [email protected] Parramatta North Hobart TAS 7002 Tony Tayler Mal Hewitt Phone: 0427 041 161 31 Queen St Granville 2142 15 Spencer Street Hunter [email protected] Leura NSW 2780 Phone: 9637 2900 Allan Thomas [email protected] Phone: 4784 3642 c/o PO Box 265 FABC RESOURCE CENTRE [email protected] Merewether NSW 2291 Darce Cassidy Phone: 4930 7309 Victoria – FABC www.friendsoftheabc.org Central Coast [email protected] Friends of the ABC (Vic) Co-convenors: GPO Box 4065 Klaas Woldring Melbourne VIC 3001 Phone: 4341 5170 Phone: (03) 9682 0073 [email protected] [email protected]

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