Australian Broadcasting Corporation Reunion Club – – Inc. `

PATRON: Stephen Murray OCT / NOV / DEC 2017 Volume 40 No 4 Manager TV Operations

O UR guided tour of the Telstra Museum was most P&O Cruise interesting. Twenty-seven of our members 24–30 Jan. 2018

attended (three had dropped out on the day). Our tour guide, who explained in detail each item we saw, also REGARDING our 6-day Cruise from to gave an interesting rundown on the history of Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln, Adelaide and return. telecommunications in . He was extremely Twenty-six members now have confirmed book- knowledgeable and was able to answer every question ings. There is a possibility that additional Cabins that was asked. may be available. Please contact the Secretary, There was a huge variety of equipment and Carol Simpson-Bull for further details. systems on display from Morse Code to new and old Telephones. Every form of telecommunication equip- New Members

ment you could think of WE welcome Joan Patrick, formerly from was artfully displayed inc- Wardrobe. Welcome aboard! luding a selection of the many different forms of glass insulators that were Bereavement used before telephone WE sadly report the passing of Clive Stark, long- lines went underground. time ABC Radio presenter, who was aged 81. Clive We saw the original semi- presented the Sunday program on 3LO (later 774) mechanical Talking Clock for many years. Before that he had presented (“On the third stroke it will be …”) still working plus classical music on the 3AR breakfast program, and a new all-electronic version. We could have easily in the 1960s he hosted a recorded comedy program gainfully spent more time than the two hours we had. called "Stark Raving". Members who were not able to attend should not Controversially, Clive was made redundant by miss a visit to this unique museum. Lunch was at the the ABC in 1993 but was later reinstated. When he Glenferrie Hotel in Burwood Road, just a three- finally retired he became a Board Member of the minute walk away. A large table had been set-up to Victorian Arts Centre. He later worked at 3MBS, seat all of our members and our meals, ordered from coaching presenters there. an a la carte menu, were reasonably inexpensive and Another sad loss was that of Bob Forster who of good quality. Much socialising took place over a passed away in July. Bob was part of the original glass or three of wine and other beverages. We thank Ripponlea Studio Operations team. He spent some John Backman for organising this most successful time with BBC Television in London, bringing function. back his experience to his position of Studio Super-

visor. He retired to Sydney some years ago, often Visit to ABC Southbank coming to Melbourne for Reunion Club events.

THE Committee, who are now holding their meetings Yet another passing was that of former Radio at the ABC’s Southbank Studios, have been most Operator Adrian Cahill who, along with wife impressed by what they have seen so far of the new Patsy, attended many Reunion Club functions after studio installations. So much so that we are negotiating his retirement. Adrian, a former cinema project- guided tours of the establishment for members sometime ionist, joined ABC Radio in the early 1960s and next year. Watch out for further news. soon found his niche as a Switch Room Operator. Extensive media coverage will have informed most members of veteran sports broadcaster Drew Annual RA Function Morphett’s sudden death at age 69 in August, and also Peter Luck (ex TDT reporter) in September. THIS year’s Annual Radio Australia Luncheon will Finally, Head of R.A.’s Indonesian Department, be at the Burvale Hotel, on Sunday 26th November Peter Moore passed away in September. at 12 noon. Ring Yvonne on 9802 4378 for details. All will be sadly missed.

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COMING EVENTS 

(BBQ) ANNUAL BBQ AT VIEWBANK The Dream Factory Sunday 12th November

Re-visited THIS will be a repeat of our successful BBQs, complete with a six-

Friday 13 October piece jazz band, at Linton and Tiffany’s home in Viewbank.

(and Saturday 14 October) * As in the past, sausages, salads, and bread will be provided

plus desserts, but please bring your own drinks including tea and

For those who have booked, don’t forget coffee and drinking vessels. Vegetarians will need to contact Carol the date for the “Closure Event” is Simpson-Bull or otherwise bring their own special BBQ food. To

Friday 13 October 2017 from 6.30 pm. ensure seating, please bring a portable table and chairs.

Please note: We are booked out. Ring The address is: 2 Bannockburn Road, Viewbank (Melways ref. 20, J 10). Enter off Lower Plenty Road and drive to the end of Carol (see below) in case of a cancellation.

Bannockburn Road. The entrance is on the left and we’ll put up

The ABC Reunion Club is honoured to some balloons to mark the spot. There is plenty of parking inside. be hosting, on behalf of the ABC, this We meet at 12.00 noon. special event which will feature a full electronic video installation and light COST FOR LUNCH: Members $15 Guests $20 show in Studio 31 to highlight shows HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4. from an amazing 60 years of television. It will offer everybody the opportunity to meet and talk with old friends. The half-hour repeating video installation ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON (ACL) will commence at 6.30 pm and wind up Friday 8th December around 11.00 pm. BY popular request we return to the RACV, 501 Bourke Street. A range of food from one of Melbourne’s We will have our own private room on the second floor. This is a best food trucks will be on sale in the not-to-be-missed event which attracts over 100 members so book Southern Courtyard. Wines, beer and soft early to avoid missing out. drinks will be on sale in Studio 32. Pre-luncheon drinks and hot savouries will be provided at 12.00

Because of strict limitations in numbers, noon in the reception area on the 2nd floor. A two-course meal of the invitation could only be extended to high quality will then be served in our own private room. Wine, beer those colleagues who actually worked and soft drinks to accompany the main meal can be purchased at at Ripponlea. your own expense. The meal will finish with coffee and chocolates.

*Partners and others who have not COST: Members $65 (subsidised). Guests $82 (actual price) worked at Ripponlea will be able to HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4. see the display on the Saturday between 12.00 noon and 4.00 pm,

BUT YOU MUST RING CAROL BY

30TH SEPTEMBER TO REGISTER. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

There will be a $10 charge at the Wednesday 14th February door. Those who had a Friday Night THIS year we will be at the newly renovated Albert Park Yachting Ticket will be admitted on the Saturday for free. Drink and food & Angling Club, 129B Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park (opposite will be available. Kerford Rd.)

Champagne and soft drinks along with savouries will be served

Memorabilia Posters will be on sale in on arrival at 11.00 am followed by the official meeting at 12.00

Studio 32 at $10 each. noon. At around 1.00 pm a gourmet main course will be served at

each table. Drinks to accompany lunch can be purchased at bar Cancellations should be notified to S Carol Simpson-Bull at prices. Delicious desserts, tea, coffee will follow. [email protected] Car parking in the area is scarce and can be expensive. It’s best or telephone on 03 9561 4124. to catch the No 1 tram in Swanston Street (heading south) and

alighting at the terminus. Walk towards the beach, turn left at The Invitation Committee consists of Beaconsfield Parade, and it’s a five-minute walk.

Rick Hunter, June Williams, Carol Simpson-Bull and the Treasurer, Barbie COST: Members $45 (subsidised). Guests $55 (actual price) Mathiesen. HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.

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OUR YESTERDAYS Early subdivision began soon after the death of owner Sir Frederick Sargood in 1903 when the property More Ripponlea Anecdotes was purchased by Sir Thomas Bent, Premier and land speculator, who subdivided the service areas, vegetable Peter Resch has sent us an item: gardens and orchard. The sale of land was continued by the next owner, Benjamin Nathan and his daughter YOU may be interested in when I was a trainee Louisa Jones. The final section of the property which technician, and not particularly good on operations, went up for sale to the Commonwealth Government for but the powers-that-be decided to have me switching the new ABV television studios was 0.8 hectare, located in Master Control. It was in the days of live-to-air as in the south-east corner of the estate. videotape hadn’t yet arrived. The Commonwealth then placed a compulsory Studio 31 had a live drama about to go live to air. acquisition order on a further 1.6ha for possible Studio 32 was setting up for a later panel program and expansion of the ABC studios. Had this order been inadvertently had the telecine opening titles for the realised, the lake and Grotto would also have been drama selected on its video switcher. In the studio, excised from the estate, further this grand property. they were doing microphone tests with a bunch of Melburnians rallied to save Rippon Lea Estate, and trainee technicians. In Master Control, I inadvertently more than 10,000 people attended a protest rally pre-selected video and sound for Studio 32. In Studio organised by the National Trust at the property in the 31 they rolled the telecine titles. ln Master Control, on late 1960s. The Jones family, supported by the Trust, cue, I faded to Studio 31 (I thought). The titles came continued the fight to save Rippon Lea and just prior to up, the sound that was heard was a bit vague but it Mrs Jones' death in 1973, the Commonwealth's com- could have been right. That particular day Princess pulsory acquisition order was lifted and the surviving Margaret had married Anthony Armstrong-Jones and estate was bequeathed to the Trust for all visitors to the guys doing the microphone checks in Studio 32 enjoy. were discussing some of the possible activities on her The area of land sold to the ABC included a dense wedding night. It took quite a few seconds for the background planting to the lake with associated path Studio Supervisor to realise that something wasn't systems and garden beds, a windmill that fed the right. When he did, we did a crash to black to sort it waterfall and gardens, open bushland and the southern out. Red faces all round. end of what is called 'The Chase', which was apparently I was moved to the Riggers the next day, but l was created in 1868, connecting the property to Elsternwick quite happy about that. That night we all learned one and the local railway station. of the absolute rules in broadcasting: "In a Studio if there's a plugged-in microphone, always assume it's live-to-air and behave accordingly.”

Peter, something similar happened to me (Ken Simpson-Bull) in my early days in Television:

I needed to test a microphone to see if it was OK so I carried it into Telecine and plugged it into a vacant Tape Recorder that was not in use. I commenced with, “Testing, 1,2,3,4, etc.”, when I was pounced upon and told in no uncertain terms that I was going to air. A It was expected that, should some of the ABC land similar rule, Peter: Make sure the output of apparently be returned to Rippon Lea, it would give the Trust the idle equipment is not routed to air.” opportunity to reinstate elements of the missing pleasure

gardens. It would also restore the lost gardens to link HERE is some interesting information about the with the Grotto, the subject of Federally-funded history and the ABC acquisition of part of the conservation works. The Chase would also be reinstated original Ripponlea estate: to its full extent, thus re-opening an entrance to the estate that disappeared in the 1950s. IN the 19th century, the gardens of the Rippon Lea Public access would be improved by providing much estate [note the spelling] were considered by many to needed parking for cars and coaches for educational and be the finest in the colony. The property was remark- other groups and for exhibition spaces. It is unknown at ably 'green', and included an efficient water harvesting this stage if these original expectations will be effected. and drainage system, a stable waste and sewage treatment capacity and treated effluent that was Wanted pumped onto the gardens as fertiliser. Jim Oastler would like to borrow a Betacam Unit so However, a part of the garden was lost from the that he can copy some Betacam tapes to DVD. If you estate when a large area was acquired by the can help, contact him at: [email protected] Government for the ABC, in the 1950s.

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We need Raffle Prizes “Spider”, who IF you have a favourite Restaurant, otherwise will we would really appreciate it if you remain unident- could try to obtain a Dining ified, doing the Voucher to be donated as a raffle famous wall prize for our Xmas Luncheon or climbing act in AGM. Other appropriate donations the corridor would be gratefully accepted. outside Studio Proceeds from our raffles help us to 33 in 1979. subsidise some functions. Ring Carol on 9561 4124.

THE COMMITTEE Chairman: Johnnie Walker Annual Subscription Due! (Code SUB) mobile 0418 323 051

IMPORTANT! Your membership fee for 2018 is due at Vice Chairman: John Backman the end of December and we would appreciate payment Secretary: Carol Simpson-Bull 9561 4124 or mobile 0403 393 746 by this date. If you are attending the AGM you may pay Assistant Secretary: Helen Hiscock then. Fees are $20 (single) or $25 (double). Please refer 9758 7205 below for the method of payment. Members who joined Treasurer: Barbara Mathiesen after 1st August 2015 do not have to pay again for 2016. mobile 0413 892 877 Newsletter Editor: Ken Simpson-Bull Auditor: Tiffany Bryant Committee Meetings General Committee:

THE Committee will meet at Southbank on 3rd November, Syah Goldrich, Allan Hiscock, Lyn Innes-Irons, David Rolfe, Jo Maxian and then not until the first Friday of March, 2018.

HOW TO BOOK FOR AN EVENT

For those members sending cheques or Money Orders by post, the procedure is this:

1. Make cheques payable to the ABC Reunion Club 2. On the back of your cheque (or on a slip of paper attached to your cheque) please write the following:

Your member number (or your name), the event code, and the number of people attending. E.g. 153AGM2 means Member No 153, Annual General Meeting, 2 people attending.

If you are paying for two or more events, repeat the coded information for each event.

If you propose to bring a guest, please let us know their name for insurance purposes.

3. Post the cheque to PO Box 272, Glen Waverley, Vic. 3150 (Put your return address on the envelope)

Members making bank transfers must initially contact the Secretary for procedure details.

Reminder: In the Transaction Description: 999AGM2 means your Member Number, Event Code, 2 people attending.

CONTACT INFORMATION Write, telephone the appropriate Committee Member, or email: [email protected]

Postal Address: ABC Reunion Club, PO Box 272, Glen Waverley, Vic. 3150 (Please put your return address on the back of any mail)

For Telephone numbers refer to “The Committee” listing.