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Issue 29 Autumn 2009 Vic Bushfires Highlight Need for ABC page 1 Vic Bushfires Highlight Need for ABC ’s recent bushfires have again highlighted the importance More Funds for the ABC! of having a prominent national public broadcaster. pages 2–3 ABC First Again The public broadcaster dealt sensitively with those Chris Masters Retires who suffered terrible loss, and kept a concerned Update nation informed. Through the ABC, governments and other important services were quickly able to relay Pages 4–5 reassurance of help for survivors to rebuild their lives. Terry Norris’s address The ABC assisted the community to grieve through to the 2008 AGM its open discussion lines, and united the country around providing emotional and practical support for those Pages 6–7 affected. We continue to depend on it to moderate ABC Bushfire Reporter public debate and to provide objective information Think Nationally, and analysis as we look to prevent such tragic loss Act Locally! of life from ever happening again. ABC & SBS Review Our treasured public broadcaster is part of the Murdoch’s ABC glue that holds this country together. A national ABC Books Sells its broadcaster – one that all Australians know to tune Soul to Murdoch to in times of emergencies and one which has the trust ABC News on the job in the smoke at Buxton, a small town Two Women Heads just north west of Marysville. Jonathon Lee (sound operator) of the nation – cannot suddenly be resurrected if it is at the ABC & Peter Wilson (camera). eroded and loses its pre-eminent position in Australian life. Any government that allows that to happen does page 8 The ABC worked in close cooperation with emergency so at our peril. Beginnings of a services to provide vital information throughout new ABC Board Victoria’s bushfire season. It let people isolated by Friends of the ABC urges people affected by Victoria’s Friends Notices fire know they were not forgotten. The significance bushfires to give their written feedback and ideas on of the ABC’s extensive local radio network, that doesn’t the ABC’s role in the preparation and response to the require electricity or a phone line to receive, came to fires to the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission the fore. www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au Tel: 1800 243 650

More Funds for the ABC!!!

Well, we hope that will The May Federal Budget is critical for affairs, Radio National and Radio be the news. By the time the ABC’s future. It is the first in which to name a few. you get this newsletter the new Labor Government will address the ABC’s funding for the ABC funding. When you consider the level of funds next three years will be Hopefully the Budget contains provided for the ABC in the Budget, known, including funding funding sufficient to allow the ABC keep in mind that a 2002 Macquarie for the new ABC televi- to expand its services. It is important Bank study ranked the ABC 16th out sion channel dedicated that the national broadcaster remains of 17 public broadcasters in developed to children’s program- relevant as new platforms for delivering countries in its comparison of income ming which the Govern- content evolve. on a per capita basis. Friends of the ABC (Vic) Inc. ment announced in April. Just as important, the ABC needs The last public information we have gpo Box 4065 the resources to rebuild. The extension on the dire state of the ABC’s funding , vic 3001 of its online and digital services should are leaks in 2006 from the government- tel +613 9682 0073 not come at the expense of existing commissioned KPMG report which fax +613 9682 0074 services. Along with Australian television revealed that funding after indexation fabcvic @ vicnet.net.au drama, many other areas of the ABC needed to rise $48.1 million per annum www.fabc.org.au have suffered as the result of a decline just for the ABC “to sustain its present inc no. a0034181a in funding over many years – current outputs”.

issue 29 / Autumn 2009 Page 1 ABC First Again – Long Before ‘Babe’ BY PEGGY HAMILTON

Two comperes, one pianist at one grand piano, various entertainers, one large pig, three cameras and two hundred children all going to air live on Melbourne’s ABC Channel 2 every Thursday afternoon from 5–6pm. That was my life for seven years, from 1960 to 1967, and I was constantly exhilarated, exhausted, amused and nervously-prostrated by the experience.

Very soon after having been promoted by the ABC floor was hilarious), high and long jumps, and many to a full-blown TV producer/director, I was invited to other events were included. The audience was split create an entirely new programme, in the form of a in four parts, each part being given a colour, and children’s birthday party. The only other requirement barracked for their team. Gold, silver and bronze placed upon me was that it should have one male and medals (wrapped chocolate coins) were presented to one female compere, children in the studio and one the winners while appropriate colour songs were sung. pianist. The rest was up to me. This programme was one of our last-Thursday-in- Following auditions, the two comperes Clive Winmill the-month specials, each of which was on a particular and Maryrose Campbell were quickly found, and the theme ranging, through others, from Ancient Egypt brilliant pianist Wendy Pomroy was in place at the to the Court of Versailles, the Mad Hatter’s tea party, keyboard. What else? ‘A mascot’, I thought. I love pigs, Medieval , Arabian Nights to Halloween. so asked the Props Department to find me a baby pig. Each was as authentic as it was possible to make A name for same? ‘Hamlet’, I thought, ‘of course’. it, and it was all highly educational without the kids Hamlet appeared from a trailer mocked-up as a castle knowing it. Hamlet the pig, star of complete with Elsinore emblazoned above a functional But there is no doubt that, each week, Hamlet was Partyland, grew from a tiny drawbridge on chains, down which he trotted onto the star. From his first appearance as a tiny piglet on piglet to a monster ‘Large the studio floor, introduced by his own fanfare and the first performance ofPartyland to his retirement to White’ weighing 320 kg upon everyone singing the ‘Hamlet” song. The two hundred the Melbourne Zoo close to three years later, he had retirement. children were all on camera, as a contributing part of the sweetest nature and never put a dainty foot wrong. whatever was happening on the studio floor and there When his fanfare sounded, he never failed to step was an unseen almost-as-large audience of parents out onto his drawbridge and down onto the studio hidden away off camera. floor, to be met, patted and fed cakes by the birthday That programme was so popular that the audience children. He travelled in his trailer Elsinore with the children had to be booked six months ahead, and the show when it went on tour to Geelong, Bendigo birthday segment, featuring 12 children who were and Mildura, and appeared on stage as required. celebrating their birthday that week, was booked out He enjoyed going with the rest of the cast to Elwood two years ahead! Of course the audience was much beach where, dressed in a bikini, he either lay on the more than a mass of passive observers, being required sand under a beach umbrella or paddled at the water’s to join in songs, quizzes and other competitions, run edge. From a new-born baby pig on the first show to races and, on one glorious occasion, take part in a full- a monster ‘Large White’ weighing 320 kg on retirement, blown Olympic games which was timed to co-ordinate his was no mean achievement, and is a memory that with the 1960 Games in Rome and to remain as close I shall treasure forever. to the original as possible. We borrowed the Olympic flame which had been Peggy Hamilton was the ABC’s first female producer. used in 1956 in Melbourne, lowered the studio lights More about Peggy and a video link to archival footage and one child with flame aloft ran right round the of Hamlet entering the studio from his castle, Elsinore studio floor arena to very dramatic effect. Running and is at www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/12/23/2453647. swimming races (breast-stroke up the studio htm?site=southeastnsw

Page 2 News & Views Chris Masters Retires BY Gael Barrett

Chris Masters has had more influence over Australian society, over the fight against corruption, the extension of justice and the search for truth in public affairs than the vast majority of Australian politicians. His forty years working in the media illustrate the great power journalism has to scrutinise the world around us and reveal those dark areas that many people would prefer to remain in the shadows.

He is a reporter of integrity, honesty, my `death by a thousand courts’.” commercial broadcaster doggedness and determination who, Chris Masters’ five Walkley Awards, Alan Jones. It was chosen in addition, possesses an instinct to the journalists’ Oscar, deserve a as Biography of the Year burrow in the right places, to sniff out cabinet all to themselves. Some of his by Book the useful informant, and to analyse most notable programs were The Big Industry Association and reams of documents in order to arrive League, leading to a royal commission won the Queensland at properly supported conclusions. into corruption in rugby league and Premier’s Award. Chris He has brought us stories from distant the gaoling of the chief magistrate of himself was awarded a parts of the globe as well as from all NSW; Search Without Rescue, a report Public Service Medal in over Australia. into a failed air sea rescue in Bass Strait; 1999 and a Centenary Yet he is a quiet man, not flamboyant then followed his ground breaking Medal in 2002. Although but steady. His broadcasting style is report on the Rainbow Warrior in retiring from the ABC informative, cool and definite, not French Connections which won a Gold he will continue with his sensational. There is no self-promotion, Walkley. Chris also made programs on writing and his academic just dedication to the task. I remember the Rwanda genocide in 1994, Inside a career as Adjunct Professor at RMIT. a talk he gave some years ago where he Holocaust, and on the battle in Bosnia, Chris Masters spent 43 years in the outlined the personal cost of being an The Cowards’ War, for which he was media, almost all with ABC, starting as investigative journalist. Apart from the awarded a 1995 Walkley. He even a mailroom boy in 1966 and learning his death threats, what seemed to worry tracked Christopher Skase to Majorca, craft there. His finest programs are the him most was the seemingly endless watching and waiting to film the elusive product of his skill and intellect together litigation. For thirteen exhausting years entrepreneur. with the opportunities and support after his best known exposé on Four One of the high points of his amazing afforded by the ABC. Our national Corners, The Moonlight State, Masters career The Moonlight State (1987) broadcaster can be proud of nurturing worked on programs during the day changed Queensland politically and such talent and of the contribution his and then, till late at night, locked socially by bringing about the Fitzgerald fine public service broadcasting has away from his family, prepared for Inquiry which ended with police and made to the nation. court appearances. He had to scour politicians brought low or gaoled. There documents and tapes to prepare himself can be few people who have done so Programs like The Moonlight State can to be cross-examined mercilessly by much to change the culture of a state no longer be produced by the ABC. The some of the most eminent counsel in the for the better. ABC’s budget is now inadequate for the country. He said later: “I came to think More recently Chris wrote the best level of staffing and time required for of the 90’s as my defamation decade, selling book Jonestown, a biography of such investigative reporting.

Radio National Update

This broadcasting year commenced his area of specialisation, religion. recognises the dilemma of the ABC with the cuts to 10 Radio National Instead he has been assigned to RN’s which has insufficient funds. But securing programs which FABC News & Views Background Briefing, presumably in resources to put radio content online by reported were planned last year. part because it is pre-recorded. drawing them away from the production Specialist programs axed are The The verdict of avid RN listeners to of radio content is no way forward. Media Report, The Religion Report, this year’s schedule is that the change The Sports Factor, Radio Eye, The Ark, has resulted is some important and Further reading on the cuts to RN: In Conversation, Street Stories and unique programs being lost, without ‘The Media and Radio National – Perspective. Short Story now relies new content of equal substance to Robbing Peter to Pay Paul’ by June on repeats from the past and Australia replace them. It is a further erosion in Factor, published in Arena Magazine, Talks has been cut to three days a week. RN’s quality, specialist programming. No. 98, Dec-Jan2008/09 and available Stephen Crittenden, former A statement of RN’s head, Dr at www.fabc.org.au presenter of The Religion Report stood Jane Connors, makes it clear that down after he revealed and criticised the reschedule is the result of the ‘The true history of religion on Radio the RN cuts on-air, has been reinstated. need to direct more resources to the National’ by Paul Collins at Eureka Crittenden is no longer working in ABC’s growing online activity. Friends Street www.eurekastreet.com.au

issue 29 / Autumn 2009 Page 3 Let’s Have Stimulating Programming and More Local Content tERRY NORRIS’S ADDRESS TO THE friends of the abc AGM 2008

Terry Norris, Rhys Muldoon and Bruce Kerr in the I am delighted to speak at your AGM. Yours is an organisation I have the telemovie Valentines greatest admiration for – your loyalty, your devotion, your capacity to Day which screened on the ABC last year. endure pain. It reminds me of a lover who is often thumped by the person they remain passionate about.

As one ages, it’s difficult not to continually reflect This ‘brave new world’ presents a worrying prospect on the ‘good old days’. I find myself sounding more regarding work opportunities for performing artists. and more like someone auditioning for an episode of Allow me to indulge myself in radio’s memory lane ‘Grumpy Old Men’. Then I say – well why not? At my for a moment. Here in Melbourne, we produced a radio age I’ve earned the right to be grumpy! play weekly, daily schools’ broadcasts, history dramas I began my life in show-biz as a 14-year-old wardrobe on , variety shows (ABC Dance Band), boy at Melbourne’s Tivoli Theatre in 1944, and recently Village Glee Club and much else. concluded an engagement in a production for the Today we face Radio National program cuts. As Melbourne Theatre Company – a show business life- to be expected, the public and media outcry was span of some 64 years – minus 10 when I joined that greeted by ‘management speak’ – ‘more on-line other troupe of actors and became a politician. I think portals’, more inter-disciplinary work on network, I was going through the change-of-life at the time. more digital terrestrial radio, – jargon conjured up at There was a graph recently in – one of a weekend managerial bonding session down at Lorne those numerous surveys showing the professions we, to justify cuts that were never even put to the Board. as Australians, most admire. Right at the top we had One of the long-term problems the ABC has been doctors, nurses, teachers – and right up there too, plagued with, in my opinion, is its inability to both entertainers. Then we came down the list: way down identify and then focus on its core audience. It’s been the list to journalists, estate agents, used-car salesmen, evident for years – a futile chase for ratings by each politicians! successive managerial change. Yet the audience share So I came from a well-regarded profession, to one has remained constant. that was not flavour of the month in the public esteem. But, because of lack of clarity in direction, there As someone who earned much of my living in TV has always been this ‘new broom’ push to crack the and radio, I confess I am both confused and daunted ‘commercial’ market – with a ‘quality-eroding result’ by the speed and complexity of the electronic media of ‘dumbing down’ content. ABC Radio has wandered – the options, the opportunities, the possibilities, the into commercial territory. As one commentator said mind-numbing changes (more looming just ahead). rather cruelly recently: “The ABC local radio network is

Page 4 News & Views littered with former FM or commercial and importantly, it was the premier international peers. In fact, of 17 radio hacks and middle-aged comics.” technical training ground for the best countries surveyed by the OECD Sadly, 774 is basically flim flam – talk- and brightest in the business. about levels of public broadcasting back trivia. “What’s the funniest thing Today, Ripponlea is little more than funding, Australia came in sixteenth – that happened to you when you couldn’t a morgue. All production is outsourced. the second lowest of any country. find a public toilet? Give us a ring on 1300 Even the news is done at Southbank. So whilst I’m critical and frustrated 7222 774 or text us on ……..” We will never again see a production by much of the managerial style and I can get this on commercial radio – centre like Ripponlea. The site, I’m sure, decision-making within the organisation, Radio Ga Ga. will be eventually flogged off for more the thought of life without Aunty, The ABC Charter delivers an ghastly Leggo apartments. or indeed any continued diminution unambiguous mandate to “provide So let’s accept that the ABC’s of standards, is just too ghastly to a balance between programs of wide role is now that of an organisation contemplate. appeal and specialised programs”. with Government funds which issues The ABC needs a commitment to The Radio National axe falls at a contracts to private companies to stable and adequate funding to properly time when specialist programming supply product. But with this in mind, meet the expectation of the Australian is more popular than ever, thanks to we must be ever vigilant to ensure that public, and the requirements of its Charter. the Internet, which gives the ABC an when allocating these taxpayer funds, So it was that my heart skipped a beat audience that can listen on demand. the ABC Charter is to the forefront. last week. No, it wasn’t something I’d To give credit where credit is due, “Broadcasting programs that eaten. It was the comments of Senator Aunty has been ahead of the pack with contribute to a sense of national Conroy, the Minister for Communications, this new form of program delivery – but identity, that inform and entertain, to promising to fight hard in Cabinet to get there is not much point in being ahead encourage and promote the musical, the ABC’s funding boosted! on delivery and sacrificing content. dramatic, and other performing arts I cannot recall a Government Minister I believe that a sizeable proportion in Australia, and provide a balance in recent years publicly coming out of the public wants high standard, between programs of wide appeal to bat for more funding for the ABC. stimulating, thought-provoking content. and specialised programs.” We face the most testing global The podcasting of Radio National As I said earlier, the ABC’s record financial situation in our memory. It programs in huge numbers is surely regarding local drama content has been surely means we face a tough budget telling management that these are the abysmal. If the commercial TV channels which makes our task a daunting one. programs that people want. had dared to come up with the same Our role must be to hold Senator Conroy The role of our national broadcaster score card, they would be in breach of and his Government to account to is not to join the race to the lower their licence requirements. deliver on its election pledge. depths. We want quality programs, ABC drama production is down to 20 ALP Policy quote: “Provide adequate not just technology for the sake of hours a year. In fact, it gained the title funding on a triennial basis to the technology. of ‘the desk and four chairs channel’ ABC to ensure they can deliver quality Let’s move on to the more dollar- because of the cheap panel shows. The public broadcasting services, including consuming area of the Corporation’s great bulk of its night-time viewing is substantial levels of Australian content. empire – television. dominated by British productions – the The Government will amend the ABC The ABC’s score-card with regard to good, the bad and the dreadful. Charter to mandate minimum levels local content on our screens has quite OK. Enough of the snipes. I’ve done of Australian drama, reflecting similar frankly been abysmal. One statistic alone my grumpy old man turn. But I’m obligations that apply to commercial TV sums it up – ABC TV is broadcasting 50% critical because I care. I know what a networks.” less Australian content than commercial channels are required to screen under Government regulations. “Broadcasting programs that contribute to a sense of national As a founding member of the ‘Make identity, that inform and entertain, to encourage and promote It Australian Committee’ and an activist the musical, dramatic, and other performing arts in Australia, in the Australian content campaigns of the 1960s, we succeeded in having and provide a balance between programs of wide appeal and legislation enacted that set local specialised programs.” content quotas for commercial TV. We never thought for a moment that such great institution this is. I know what In my experience, politicians are not regulation would ever be required for it has delivered and is still capable of instigators. They react to public pressure our wonderful Channel 2, the bastion of delivering with adequate funding. So and lobbying. We will maintain our rage, those days of Australian production. let’s be positive. Let’s be fair. Let’s be and demand that Government deliver Ripponlea Studios were a realistic. on its promise to get our beloved Aunty powerhouse of activity, of creativity, The Corporation is just not in a off life support and rehabilitate her that younger members of the TV position to comply with its Charter back to rosy-cheeked glowing health production world can only dream of. obligations to produce high-quality by injecting her ailing body with a huge Continuous drama, variety, musical, content. A recent Macquarie dose of adequate funding. rock, children’s productions – plus Bank report stated that additional opera and ballet, believe it or not! Government funding of $200 million This is an edited version of Terry Norris’s The ABC production standards set a year is required to make the address to Friends of the ABC Vic’s 2008 the bar for the rest of the industry, ABC’s funding comparable with its AGM.

issue 29 / Autumn 2009 Page 5 ABC Bushfire Reporter BY MARY-JANE FENECH

When I arrived to work at the I was still reading out urgent threat Southbank studios on Black Saturday messages. It wasn’t until I had to inform at 5pm, it was all hands on deck. our listeners that for a particular road in Management, presenters and producers Churchill, ‘it was too late to leave,’ that were all present and there was urgency the last four days began to sink in. The in the studios that I had never witnessed weight in that message was enormous. in all my time working in radio. The It was time for a day-off. Over the last phones were ringing constantly and couple of weeks, I have worked with an mostly from terrified listeners. Some incredible team at 774 ABC Local Radio. of those calls that I answered that My colleagues were compassionate, afternoon I will never forget. They dedicated, professional and committed. could see smoke. They could see flames. It was a team effort fulfilling the Is there a fire in their area? Is the fire responsibility as the emergency services going to reach their area? Should they broadcaster, of which I am so proud to leave? Should they stay and protect have been a part. their homes? What road do they take to evacuate? Australians have always known to I was asked to update our listeners tune to the ABC in emergencies. This with fire information. I walked into the important role performed by the public studio to see Jon Faine on-air with a broadcaster has been formalised in map of Victoria placed on the desk. As recent years, with the ABC having he spoke to one of the many Incident become the official broadcaster for Libby Gorr & Mary-Jane Fenech at the ABC’s Family Day Controllers from the CFA, he with a red Victoria’s emergency services. Concert to thank Victorians for their support of bushfire pen in hand, was marking exactly where ABC Local Radio’s plan to cover victims. (March 09 at Myer Music Bowl) the fires were. I recall him asking the emergencies is based on the principal Incident Controller, with astonishment, that it will “be with its listeners before, ‘so the fire that started in Kilmore East, during and after emergencies and I thought I knew what the ABC’s is now in Marysville?’ There was a crisis events, giving listeners the information role was as an emergency services in our state and we were the team to they need, when they need it.” Local broadcast it. Radio responds to events through broadcaster. I just never fully realised I was on auto pilot. I would speak Emergency Broadcast Plans – one it – well, not until Saturday the to the DSE or CFA, refresh the CFA of which has been prepared for every website repeatedly and then deliver region. 7th of February. It truly is a huge the threat messages to our audience. responsibility. The day was long, intense, stressful and Mary-Jane Fenech is Traffic Reporter for overwhelming for everyone involved the Drive program and a set-up producer and everyday rolled into another. for the Morning program at 774 ABC On the Tuesday after Black Saturday, Melbourne.

Think Nationally, Act Locally! ABC & SBS Review

More than ninety people participated The Government received more in FABC’s seminar for members and than 2,400 submissions to its review prospective members at the South undertaken last year of how both public Melbourne Community Centre on broadcasters should operate in the November 22 which was addressed by evolving digital, online and global media Kim Dalton, Head of ABC TV, and Peter environment. Mares of Radio National’s The National Senator Conroy, the Minister for Interest. Communications, is yet to issue a report The event – organised by the FABC on the findings of the review. At his ABC Committee of Management to brief Showcase Address at Parliament House members and encourage action – in March, he said the submissions will resulted in far-reaching discussion on a help to frame the Government’s policies range of matters, including the need for for the long-term future of public increased ABC funding and for the ABC broadcasting, and that the public’s to remain relevant in a technologically views are being taken into account in Kim Dalton, Head of ABC TV Peter Mares of Radio National’s changing media environment, the Photo: John Werrett The National Interest the Government’s consideration of the ABC & SBS Review, the broadcaster’s Photo: John Werrett ABC’s funding for the next three years. expanding commercial activities and Radio National cuts. FABC’s submission to the ABC & SBS Review is available at www.fabc.org.au

Page 6 News & Views Murdoch’s ABC ABC Books Sells its Soul to Murdoch

Cartoon by Leunig first published byThe Age. The relationship between the ABC and Australia’s biggest media baron just became a lot closer. And the ABC has taken another step in its commercial activities that compromises the public broadcaster’s independence. In an extraordinary move, the ABC has entered into a contract that hands over the distribution and publishing of ABC Books to Murdoch’s News Corp subsidiary HarperCollins. (Until now, Allen & Unwin has handled the sales and distribution of ABC Books, with the ABC maintaining control of publishing.) In answer to questions in Senate Estimates, ABC Managing Director claimed it is similar to other arrangements, for example the ABC’s contracting out of DVDs produced in the ABC’s name by a commercial party. It isn’t. DVDs are simply a different medium to carry content which has been produced by the ABC. When book publishing is contracted out to an external commercial party, content development is handed over. The ABC can’t farm out the production of books and ensure the integrity of their content. It has less than two staff to oversee the process. HarperCollins will inevitably publish books of dubious integrity and relevance to the ABC in the ABC Books name. In a sign of who sits on the ABC Board, the Board selected Advertising is expanding on the ABC incrementally despite the ABC Act prohibiting it on radio and tele- to present the broadcaster’s 2008 Boyer vision. The ABC began advertising its products and Lectures broadcast late last year. then extended to products produced in its name by commercial operations. (A practice it justifies with One would have thought that attack the public broadcaster at almost reference to a provision in the Act that allows the ABC Murdoch has sufficient media outlets every opportunity. The paper has an to announce its activities.) HarperCollins will now gain of his own through which he can undeclared ban on publishing letters access to advertising on the ABC – radio, television and impose his narrow views on the public. from Friends of the ABC. So it was no online – books that it might otherwise have decided In Australia alone, he controls the only surprise in the that to publish under another imprint. national daily newspaper, the dominant Murdoch managed to speak about major The ABC’s independence and credibility is newspaper in some capital cities and change happening in the media without undermined by this commercial arrangement. sole daily in others, and a raft of local mentioning the ABC at all, let alone its Furthermore, it is inappropriate for our publicly newspapers, as well significance or problems it faces. funded national broadcaster to advantage any as being a significant player in pay-TV. commercial operation in the marketplace, let alone Murdoch’s pay-TV is a competitor Further reading on Murdoch’s Boyer an international media conglomerate with ownership for local ABC audiences. News Ltd is Lectures: ‘Against the Current Thoughts so extensive that it undermines media diversity and pressuring the government to outsource of Murdoch on the ABC’ by Simon Cooper, threatens our democracy. Australia’s international television published in Arena Magazine, No. 99, service which is presently provided February–March 2009 and available With the ABC now outsourcing all of its television by the ABC. Editorials of The Australian at www.fabc.org.au drama production, one wonders how long it will be before we start seeing Murdoch’s Fox films on ABC TV.

Further reading: Murdoch’s Flagship – Twenty-five Years Two Women Heads at the ABC of The Australian Newspaper by Denis Cryle, published by Melbourne University The recent appointment of two at the ABC, replacing John Cameron. Publishing. women as heads of key areas in the Torney has worked as a journalist for two ABC is another example of the decades and, until recently, managed the significance of the ABC to Australian ABC’s Asia Pacific News. She is the first women. The public broadcaster is woman to head up the news and current important for the manner in which it affairs division of a major broadcaster. portrays women and carries issues of Kate Dundas succeeds Sue Howard, importance to them, but also for the who was the first woman director of the standard it sets in the media industry by ABC’s radio division. Dundas was head appointing women to senior positions. of ABC Radio’s national networks prior Melbourne journalist Kate Torney to spending 18 months as head of human has been appointed director of news resources at the ABC.

issue 29 / Autumn 2009 Page 7 Beginnings of a New ABC Board Arts administrator Michael Lynch and publisher are the Labor Government’s first appointments to the ABC Board under its new merit-based selection process for directors of the ABC and SBS boards.

They take up two positions which, having fallen – and has just returned to Australia after seven years vacant since Labor was elected, were advertised last running the Southbank Centre, London’s impressive year. A private recruitment agency whittled down arts precinct. Schultz is founding editor of the Griffith 221 applications to 25 which were assessed by the Review and a professor at the Centre for Public Culture government-appointed Nomination Panel for ABC and Ideas at Griffith University. She has a long career in and SBS appointments, which in turn submitted academia, journalism and publishing and spent time at to the Government a short list of seven. (The the ABC as Corporate Strategy Manager in the time of appointment process, in which former politicians Managing Director Brian Johns. and senior political staff are ineligible, is outlined in Friends looks forward to the Government restoring the Autumn 2008 edition of FABC’s News & Views, the staff-elected position to the Board and enshrining available at www.fabc.org.au.) the new appointment process in legislation. We are Members of the Nomination Panel established also keen to see a change in the operation of the Board. last year are: Ric Smith AO PSM (formerly a Secretary It will take time for the new system to have a full of Defence and an Ambassador to Indonesia and effect. Labor has declined to dismiss the existing board. to the People’s Republic of China), Professor Allan The new appointees will sit on the ABC Board alongside Fels AO (Dean of the Australia and New Zealand appointees School of Government and former chairman of the (Chairman), , , Steven Australian Competition and Consumer Commission), Skala and , and Managing Director Leneen Forde AC (Chancellor of Griffith University and Mark Scott until their terms expire. Dr Julianne Schultz AM and Michael Lynch CBE AM – new former Governor of Queensland) and David Gonski In recent years the ABC has moved in an increasingly appointments to the ABC Board AC (Chancellor of the University of New South Wales, commercial direction. Much of the broadcaster’s chairman and director of a number of major companies television production capacity has been wound back and former Chairman of the Australia Council.) and outsourced to external production companies, Michael Lynch CBE AM and Dr Julianne Schultz with specialist program units, like the ABC’s acclaimed AM are well-qualified for appointment to the board Natural History Unit, having been closed. of the public broadcaster. Both are strong supporters FABC hopes that new Board appointees will of the body whose welfare they are charged with take seriously their responsibility as caretakers of a PRESIDENT: David Risstrom upholding. A welcome change to appointees of the great public institution which belongs to the entire VICE-PRESIDENT: Gael Barrett previous government! community. The community is entitled to expect secretary: Georgina Simmonds Lynch has a 25 year career heading arts greater transparency in the Board’s operations, treasurer: Peter Monie organisations – including the Australia Council, the consultation and engagement about the nature Sydney Opera House and Sydney Theatre Company of public broadcaster envisaged. campaign manager/ executive officer: Glenys Stradijot admin officer: Elizabeth Paull

editor: Glenys Stradijot design & typesetting: Dan Milne printing: Posh Printing Friends Needs Under an Issued three times a year. Letters from members are welcome. a Digital Camera Eastern Moon Send to the Editor, News & Views, gpo Box 4065, Melbourne, vic 3001 FABC is keen to hear from anyone who A free ABC Music Deli Concert or email: [email protected] may like to donate a digital camera. Hosted by ABC Music Deli’s Paul Petran, Letters may be edited for length. Photos provide an important record of a concert of exquisite music for voices Unattributed items are by the editor. FABC’s history. And the benefit toNews and strings. Featuring Dya Singh (India), & Views readers and our website will Khalil Gudaz (Afghanistan), Noriko be more pictures of FABC activities. Tadano & George Kamikawa (Japan) website manager: Peter Monie and Huzzam (Turkey). News & Views and more is available. Renew Membership Now 24th June Subscribe to receive free email FABC membership renewals are due on updates at www.fabc.org.au 6.30pm for a 7pm start 1 July 09. If you can, please help FABC by Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank, renewing early – phone, fax or post. Our cnr Southbank Boulevard & Sturt Street membership fees remain the same, and The Hon Kevin Rudd MP, No bookings – arrive early to ensure Prime Minister, Parliament we greatly appreciate donations. Single your seat. House, Canberra 2600 $30, Concession/Low income earners ABC– phone: (03) 9626 1500 $15, Households & Organisations $50. This concert is part of Multicultural Arts GPO Box 4999, Sydney 2001 Maurice Newman – Chairman, Victoria’s ‘Emerge Festival’ which will ABC Board; Mark Scott – ABC feature music from Africa to the Far East. Managing Director www.multiculturalarts.com.au

Page 8 News & Views