Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. quarterly newsletter August-September 2008 Vol 16, No.7 update friends of the abc Travails with my Aunty David Salter (keynote speaker at FABC State Conference) satisfy the latest PC obsession or to poach a few rating points from the commercial networks. t is with no pride “good old days” nostalgia. I’ve been in, I whatsoever that I or around, the Commission or Content is what the ABC has always claim the individual Corporation for more than half its 76 done best. It has been at its strongest record for total years and can assure you that many of when it concentrates on the primary number of those ‘old’ days were deplorable. Aunty job of making and broadcasting resignations and/or endured ultra-conservative programs for its established outlets. sackings from the management and timorous boards; Everything else – the doomed Pay TV ABC. Since 1967 I’ve had to clean my ultra-cautious program heads; ultra- venture, Australia Television, its desk out six times (and that’s not Anglophile cultural attitudes; many recurring multi-channel ambitions, counting all those silly relocations ultra-wasteful, negative or just plain occasional secret plots to engulf SBS, caused by the Corporation’s lazy permanent staff. even the highly successful Internet unrelenting mania for ‘structural presence – all of these are potentially Dig out the tapes of ABC radio’s so- review’). So much for civil service job dangerous distractions. called Golden Era in the early 1950s security. and you’d be aghast at the smug Dangerous, because they inevitably Why then do I remain such an ABC mediocrity they broadcast. The involve seeking additional funding loyalist and Defender of the Public prevailing value-systems came directly from governments quick to impose Broadcasting Faith? Because the from the prefect’s rooms of second-rate conditions on that extra cash. alternatives are too horrible to private boys’ schools. Literature was Distracting, because the diversion of people and resources into these contemplate. anything published by Angus & adventurist excursions always weakens Somehow, in the peculiar Robertson’s. broadcasting landscape of Australia, the Yet despite all this tenured self- (Continued on Page 3) ABC has managed to maintain its indulgence, the ABC’s most valued asset genuinely independent national voice. – it’s core notion of independence – was Somehow, despite the best efforts of defended with vigour. sour politicians and incompetent Charles Moses rightly treated inside managers, it has found the courage to politicians with disdain and usually The President’s Report 2 provide a platform for discomfiting ignored their attempts at pressure. ideas and disconcerting tastes. The Electronic Generation Gap 4 Richard Boyer understood that Branch News 5 At its best, the ABC is the gristle protecting the editorial integrity of the amongst all the pre-masticated pap that ABC’s output was the Board’s primary A Conversation with Henri Szeps 8 passes for ‘content’ in this country’s function. News is good for ABC 10 electronic media. After a few years tied to radio’s apron Summer Heights High Success Story 10 But let’s not waste time celebrating strings, the new and uniquely powerful Logie Awards 11 that achievement. The more mass medium of television was allowed Map of the future for Australia and constructive approach is to pause and to find its own feet. By the early 1970s the ABC 11 consider the positive lessons of history: Channel 2 was setting the local what can we extract from the ABC’s information and entertainment agendas The Gruen Transfer. How it all ads up 12 past to help us secure and enhance its for the nation. The ABC made programs Letter from Senator Conroy 13 future? because producers felt there was an New Teeth for Aunty - Reinvigorating This should not be an exercise in obligation – or need – to do so, not to the National Broadcaster. Part 1 14 Update Publication Information A word from the

Update is published four times a year by NSW President Friends of the ABC (NSW) Inc. (FABC), PO Box 1391 NORTH SYDNEY 2059.

Printpost approved PP245059/00002 t is now over six months since the 2008 STATE CONFERENCE of To become a member phone I election of the Rudd Labor FRIENDS of the ABC. (02) 9990 0600 or email to government, and many are asking [email protected] High on the agenda of this year’s what the change of government has or access our website NSW FABC State Conference, to be www.fabcnsw.org.au. meant for the ABC. Disappointment held in Wollongong on 9th and 10th Extracts from newspapers and other has been expressed that there were August, will be discussion and a publications appearing in Update do not not immediate changes to the sharing of ideas and strategies to necessarily reflect the views of the board, reinstatement of the staff- members of FABC. convince the government and local elected director and increases in Update is distributed to all members of members of the absolute necessity to FABC, as part of the membership fee. funding. 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Mark President - Mal Hewitt Scott will talk about the ABC’s Phone: 9637 2900 ABC funding, as were suffered by Email: [email protected] most other government-funded obligation as a public institution to instrumentalities. The critical budget reach more Australians, in more ways, Secretary & Treasurer - James Buchanan for the ABC will be the triennium more often. Phone: 9371 5621 commencing in 2009. 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Page 2 REPORTED CLOSURE OR SALE current ABC programming exudes a OF ABC SHOPS Travails with bland, respectable sameness and I am assured by the ABC that there timidity. It’s pitched at the middle of are no plans either to close or the sell my Aunty the statistical bell curve – the area ABC Shops. Apparently the press that contains the greatest number of reports, including the rumoured sale (Continued from Page 1) ears and eyeballs. Those of us whose to Dymocks, are totally erroneous. interests and tastes stray to the five percent fringes must settle for Radio the corporation’s commitment to A spokesperson for the ABC National. responded “Why would we dispose of mainstream broadcasting. Who’s to blame for this something that brings in so much So, always be wary of hucksters capitulation to populism? To my revenue, and provides such good proclaiming the ABC will be fatally mind the real villains are to be publicity for ABC programs?” Why marginalised unless it ‘migrates its found in the neo-con commentariat. indeed! content’ to broadband and embraces All our most prominent cultural every new wave of technology. warriors of the right took their turn Remember that each step towards peddling the specious argument that DIGITAL RADIO BROADCAST the holy grail of multi-platform because the ABC is funded from communications is also a step away The ABC will commence digital taxation revenue then it should from the fundamentals of radio services in the first half of broadcast material that appeals to independent public broadcasting. 2009. Initially the digital services the widest possible audience. will be for capital cities only, and How else should we interpret the That position has more logical will include the four existing Corporation’s recent decision to holes than a slice of Swiss cheese, establish a mega-division titled “ABC national networks (Radio National, but it grips the simple minds of Commercial”? How’s that for an Newsradio, Classic FM and Triple J) politicians. Weak-kneed senior ABC aggressive challenge to the central as well as local radio services. managers who would do anything to principle that a genuinely avoid a fight with Canberra then Extension of the digital network independent media outlet cannot, adopt this false doctrine of audience will depend on funds becoming by definition, operate commercially accountability and use it as their available in future budgets. – that is, for profit? justification for seeking popularity There is no plan for digital radio to The astonishing thing, at least to first, and quality second. replace analogue radio (AM and FM) – me, is that these massive changes What they cannot – or refuse – to broadcasting will continue in both – were allowed to happen virtually understand is that there is no point but you will need to purchase a digital without demur. Australia has been so in the ABC trying to attract a broad radio to receive the digital signal. de-sensitized by the strident private mainstream audience. The enterprise culture of our previous commercial networks are already Federal government that we seem THE GRUEN TRANSFER doing that very well. The national quite unconcerned that “our” ABC – broadcaster should, of course, be Promotional advertisements for this one of the world’s last great public happy to welcome anyone to its new satirical program on ABC TV broadcasters – is swiftly being turned services, but it must never feel were so convincing that they created into a merchandising business. a flood of complaints to the ABC that under an obligation to go out and Today, the ABC is run by a breed chase them. advertising of commercial products of executive who openly demand had, by some means, been suddenly more bang for their buck – a sly way introduced to the public broadcaster! of saying they’re chasing ratings, DAVID SALTER first joined the ABC as The program itself has been the part of the original This Day Tonight team. without actually saying it. He has been a senior producer in Current subject of criticism that it The inevitable result is that Affairs, Head of TV Sport, Executive unnecessarily promotes or provides popularity becomes more highly Producer of Media Watch and produced, exposure to advertising. It has proved valued than intrinsic quality. written and directed a number of very successful in terms of ratings for significant ABC-TV documentaries. As an Production values are traded away the ABC, but, as is suggested by David independent he made the This Fabulous for quick effect. Intellectually Century historical series for the Seven Salter elsewhere in this edition of difficult or confronting content now Network, was General Manager of the Update, it may be treading a fine line tends to be avoided in favour of easy Hanna-Barbera studios and ran TV sport between satire and providing entertainment. For example, The for both Nine and Seven. Two of his advertising professionals with an recent books are Breaking Ranks Gruen Transfer is not, as it pretends opportunity to promote their (Random House), an investigation of the to be, a program about advertising – HMAS Voyager disaster, and The Media products. You make your own it’s a panel show for advertising We Deserve (Melbourne University judgement, but let the ABC know wankers to parade their cleverness. Publishing), a critical review of the what you think. Australian media. For two years Salter To me, this is not so much a wrote the ‘Beyond Spin’ column for The “dumbing down” as an “evening Australian and is now Editor-in-Chief of a Mal Hewitt out”. The search for broader soon-to-be-launched national news President, NSW FABC audiences means that the bulk of magazine, The Week.

Page 3 and immediacy, and being discriminatory about what information we want to draw from the media. This is why the internet has become the medium of choice for young people when it comes to research and entertainment. At times it feels like it has eclipsed the more traditional forms of the media, specifically the television and radio with regard to the ABC. The However, these old fashioned media formats do continue to be relevant and enjoyed by all generations although they are increasingly accessed through Electronic the newest addition to the modern media, the internet. This does beg the question of whether future Generation Gap development of the ABC should be Jess Harwood focused in the virtual arena, especially for the benefit of younger audiences. Recent changes to the ABC including the introduction of ABC 2 (and e are always maddening. I want to cut to the chase therefore of the digital age), and told that us and find the sought-after hyperlink W upgrading of the website have young people have which I guessed would be in the expanded the ABC’s scope, and also short attention footnotes. A couple of clicks later and made it more interactive by providing a spans. But maybe with much grumbling (about me going larger range of choice and new online the reality is that too fast) we arrive at our cyber services. Many popular ABC TV shows old people’s destination. These intergenerational attention spans are web-lessons are a source of confusion are downloadable, as are podcasts of way too long? I wonder as I teach my and frustration for all, but they do radio programmes which can be parents to use the internet, who is show a marked difference in the way in listened to on our mp3’s and more attuned to the modern media which we interact with the media. computers, and if they aren’t available age? Sitting at the computer, showing then transcripts are posted on the radio It’s the years of chatting on msn, my old man how to navigate around station’s website. The new ABC NOW an internet site, we may as well be watching television, listening to the service condenses this, allowing viewers looking at two different screens. Dad radio, writing school or uni essays, to select their favourite programmes, reads logically from the top as one reading textbooks, texting and taking news items and updates to be would a newspaper, unassumingly phone-calls simultaneously that have downloaded to their desktop daily. making his way down the screen in an fine-tuned youthful brains to Clearly the ABC cannot be accused of exasperatingly slow manner which is multitasking, expecting rapid change being outdated and technologically

Venue: Cellos Restaurant in the To book: Ring Ireen (Ph: 9745 Dinner with beautiful, heritage-listed Castlereagh 4487) or Joy (Ph:9502 2335) or Robyn Williams Boutique Hotel. Opened in 1927, Paul (Ph: 9888 3797) Cello’s Restaurant is now one of the Please provide information as last grand dining rooms in Sydney. It Friday 15 August follows: can hold up to 130 people. at Cellos Restaurant • how many seats you need in the Castlereagh Date: 15 August • name + credit card details (only Boutique Hotel Time: 7pm Visa and Mastercard please) • vegetarian or gluten free (you Dinner: 2 courses + glass of wine will need to identify yourself to After last year’s wonderful (or soft drink). Set menu with ONE staff & FABC staff members on free drink included (either wine or dinner with Monica Attard, the night) join us again for a special soft drink) evening. Cost: $55 We need to pay well in advance to hold such a large and popular We expect this will be very popular Address: 169 – 171 Castlereagh St, dining room. so ring in early to book. There are Sydney – see a max. of 130 seats available. www.thecastlereagh.com.au

Page 4 irrelevant- in fact it should be applauded for throwing itself into the cyber age. However the development in Branch News this new arena does bring potential problems and possibilities in capturing and the scope of programming widened the younger age group. Blue Mountains and standards maintained. During the election in 2007, ABC It was indeed a joy and an privilege to Online’s Unleashed ran a competition Activity hear such a talented and informative called ‘Sledge’ which encouraged ABC journalist and we were very encouraged viewers to create their own Chaser-style On Saturday, 17th video or animated commentary on the May 2008, the by her address. election. This was overwhelmingly Friends of the ABC The next meeting of the FABC (Blue popular with young ABC audiences as (Blue Mountains Mountains) will be held at The Grand it encouraged creativity, was interactive Branch) hosted a View Hotel on June 14th as we will be and provided a much yearned for wonderful morning manning a stall at the Winter Magic the platform for voters to voice their where the renowned following Saturday. opinions. To do this, the ABC sought to Radio National Fran Kelly Please feel free to join us at 10.00 a.m. create and use its own YouTube Breakfast presenter, Pam Fitzpatrick (Publicity Officer ) Channel. This was a slightly Fran Kelly, addressed more than 150 47392450 controversial move (although the people and talked for two hours about controversy went largely undiscussed) her experiences at the ABC because of YouTube’s reliance on Fran talked of the daunting advertisements, therefore the ABC difficulties involved in getting a BLUE MOUNTAINS providing a tenuous link to commercial programme to air twenty years ago and FRIENDS OF THE ABC content by using such a channel. This how technology had certainly controversy notwithstanding, young simplified the physical demands on Are hosting a FORUM people’s addiction to YouTube only reporters. No more moving heavy served to increase the popularity of this equipment from one studio to another WATCHING competition. The use of the ABC’s now. with mobile phones and computer YouTube channel has dwindled since THE MEDIA communication. this competition and while we don’t want, under any circumstances, Fran feels that the main purpose of A CRITICAL VIEW advertisements creeping into the ABC the FABC groups must be to keep or commercial content being linked pressure on governments to maintain With with ABC websites, the YouTube the quality content of ABC MONICA channel should be discussed as a programming; drama, documentaries ATTARD and and news. powerful medium of broadcasting to JONATHAN younger audiences. Of course we would She spoke in a very balanced manner HOLMES have to weigh up whether this would about working with both Parties in be a risk worth taking. government, and admitted the Rudd SUNDAY 27th JULY at 2pm The ABC has to face many tough crew were still very new to the pressure CARRINGTON HOTEL, KATOOMBA decisions about where the future lies in and it was more difficult to get cyber land and needs to avoid confirmation of interviews with the $20 – includes Afternoon Tea accidentally dabbling in the internet’s new Prime Minister compared to John Inquiries – ubiquitous commercial culture. More Howard who was always happy to come Pam Fitzpatrick 4739 2450 emphasis and focus on ABC online on the programme. would be appreciated by younger She was very optimistic about the media consumers, however we should calibre of the new journalists coming also understand that this is not a through and spoke of her team as very general rule: more internet, more Central Coast talented and enthusiastic. young people. While my Dad and I may view websites differently, She stressed that the ABC was a Activity information provided, the ultimate leaner/meaner organisation now than secret lies in the content and not in the when she started but she felt very proud The Central Coast Branch of Friends of format. You could make the Reader’s to work there and feels it offers some the ABC remains active and great quality journalism. She also gave Digest History of Accountancy enthusiastic. colourful, funky and interactive and it us a glimpse of working in a war zone, would still be just as uninteresting to a and mentioned if you are caught in Meetings are held every 2 months teenager as volume ten of the leather crossfire try to get behind the engine with coffee sessions on alternative bound edition. There are no block of a car as it is the strongest months. Included are “meet the prescriptive quick fixes to the problem section and offers the most protection. members” sessions as well as open of catering for teenage and young adult She was also very hopeful that the discussions. audiences- we’re a discerning and present funding of the ABC will be All committee meetings are open to complicated lot! increased under the new government the full membership.

Page 5 Branch News

Following in our However, it was thought worthwhile successful to mention this (delayed) event as an tradition of public example of the Armidale FABC meetings with group’s cooperation with other local ABC personalities, bodies like the Festival committee and A lunch will be the Friends of the Library, because held with TIM such collaboration is mutually PALMER. As the rewarding, not least in gaining ABC’s Indonesian Tim Palmer publicity and new members. correspondent, Tim was the first western Cake made by our host, Dr Mary White. correspondent to enter Aceh after the thoughts about future technology Boxing Day tsunami. Mid North Coast challenges to broadcasting. Also 3 He also covered the Bali bombings, Activity members of Mid North Coast branch and is now executive producer of had invites to an ABC feedback Lateline. Mini-Conference agrees - It’s as session on 27th May (see below) so an simple as ABC ideas search was held around priorities Where? Central Coast Leagues Club, for the ABC, what it does well and Gosford. Seventeen members of the Friends of what it can do better. the ABC (FABC) gathered at the Falls When? Friday July 26, 11am to 2pm. Forest Retreat south of Port Macquarie The Falls Forest Retreat is a Gondwana How? Entry by ticket only, $10 to map out a campaign for 2008. rainforest sanctuary with beautiful (includes light lunch) Hosted by the Mid North Coast walks and renowned country branch, participants included a hospitality. Laid back entertainment Enquiries – Phone 4333 8107 delegation from the Cowper branch was provided in the evening by local centred near Nambucca. They were musicians, duo DNA. joined by members of the NSW The ABC Feedback Session was one of committee from Sydney. Armidale Activity many being run by the ABC. It was The main issues arising from the fantastic to sit in a room of about 50 In early April the Armidale group of week-end were how to get people local people, a spectrum of the Friends ran its annual film evening, involved, take FABC forward and community, all passionate about the which proved to be a social and campaign for the holy grail - ABC. Every 5 minutes someone would financial success. This was not increased funding for the next period say “Stay commercial free!” so I think surprising as the chosen movie, The (2009-2012), adoption of a that message was broadcast Kiterunner, had been well received by transparent process for board sufficiently. FABC ideas stood out in most critics and was warmly appointments, and legislation to ban only one respect, our members are anticipated by readers of the original advertising on ABC web sites. aware of problems of access with the novel. current transmission to Asia – the A letter from the Minister, Senator signal doesn’t go as far as short wave. Armidale’s cinema, “The Belgrave”, Stephen Conroy, was received with Vive la ABC! Can someone translate generously supports charity nights by great interest and hopes that the that into Mandarin please. giving 25% of the takings to the Minister intends to revitalise the ABC. organisation concerned. So it is in the A contribution was made by Professor Drusi Megget President interests of both to ensure a full Alan Knight which stimulated FABC mid north coast house, which was achieved. This year’s profits were to be used to pay for a visit to Armidale in July by Radio National’s film critic, Julie Rigg, as part of a lead-up to the locally organised International Film Festival in early August. This weekend festival is a highlight of the regional cultural calendar. Julie had planned to speak about her experiences of festivals, including as a juror, and to critique a French movie scheduled to follow her talk. Unfortunately, Julie has been assailed by ill health and is currently on sick leave from the ABC. So her visit has Members of Mid North Coast, Cowper and NSW Committee at Falls Retreat. been postponed.

Page 6 Northern Rivers and the post election lull has abated Illawarra Activity we are beginning to stir into action Activity once again, with our bi monthly committee meeting members Friends Tour of ABC Ultimo Centre East Timor Seminar - Lismore examining the issues and making 15August arrangements for our next function. In June 2008 around thirty members We wish to congratulate all branches of the Illawarra branch of Friends of On Friday 15 August at 7 pm the for their pre election efforts and look the ABC participated in a tour of the Northern Rivers branch of the Friends forward to seeing familiar faces at the ABC studios in Harris Street Sydney. of the ABC will host a seminar on forthcoming state conference in In two groups we were shown around East Timor at the Lismore Workers' Wollongong. I hope to join the NSW by two very informative and friendly Club in Kean Street, Lismore. committee after observing Mal Hewitt volunteers. They told us that There will be a panel of people and his hard working team as a visitor approximately 2,500 people are discussing the recent events in East at their June 2nd meeting. employed in Harris St in a variety Timor and looking at Australia's Peter Brandscheid President of jobs. future role in the development of East Hunter Branch FABC We saw the two main TV recording Timor. A key panelist will be local studios. The larger one, where big Page MP Janelle Saffin who acted as a shows with reasonably large legal and political adviser to Hose audiences and/or sets are filmed, was Ramos Horta prior to his elevation to Sunday Afternoon occupied by rehearsals for “The the Presidency. Also on the panel will Gruen Transfer” which was screened be a number of local people who have with that night so we had only a brief been involved with community glimpse inside. We had a more development projects in East Timor. Quentin Dempster thorough look at the smaller studio ABC Foreign Correspondent Eric The Hunter where shows such as “At The Campbell hopes to attend, depending Branch together Movies” is filmed and we met on his overseas commitments. with the Margaret Pomerantz and David Newcastle Politics Participants will be asked to provide a Stratton as they prepared to be in the Pub $10 donation to cover costs and recorded. organisation will anyone hoping to attend should be hosting a fund contact Neville Jennings on We were shown makeup, wigs and raising and 0405244903 or [email protected] prosthetics rooms and received information interesting information about these, to reserve a seat. There is only space session in August and more technical information from for 80 participants so bookings are with Quentin highly advisable. Dempster as keynote speaker. the various staff members who took time out of very busy schedules to A short AGM will be held at 5 pm prior Quentin, as the ABC’s regular speak with us. to the seminar at the same venue. Stateline presenter and former ABC Board staff representative, is bound We saw the TV and radio news rooms Branch members are looking forward to provide an interesting way to and recording studios and learned to the Byron Bay Writers Festival to spend a winter Sunday afternoon. how technology is so essential to be held on 25-27 July. Our branch is We invite branch members and the bring us all the various programmes an official supporter of the festival. general public to hear Quentin give most of us take for granted. This was ABC identities figure strongly in the us his views and the benefit of his also very evident when we were program and the local ABC North experience in the ABC on political shown how Classic FM recordings are Coast station has an outside broadcast issues, current affairs and other broadcast with maximum quality. from the site. matters. This is also a good opportunity to meet fellow members All staff that we encountered were Neville Jennings (President) and like-minded people in a social pleasant, informative and atmosphere. accommodating. The ABC head FUNCTION- A Sunday Afternoon office is obviously a busy, efficient Hunter Activity with Quentin Dempster, and technologically impressive centre VENUE – Level 2 Devonshire House of excellence. 406 King Street NEWCASTLE WEST Our branch was very active in It was interesting to realise that most located opposite Newcastle supporting the election of a more people we encountered were unaware Panthers Club. ABC friendly Rudd Government. We of the existence and roles of the are already seeing some DATE – Sunday, 17 August. Friends of the ABC, so we, too, may improvements with a proposed review TIME – 2PM have educated a few people along of the ABC Board appointment the way. system and restoration of the Board Afternoon tea will be provided. staff representative position. Now Kay Ryan that the federal election is behind us FABC Illawarra Branch

Page 7 A CONVERSATION WITH HENRI SZEPS Mal Hewitt

ustralian Drama on ABC A Television is a pale imitation of the glory days of the first twenty years of television broadcasting, and commercial television meets its local content requirement with a wasteland of cheap-to-produce quiz shows and so-called “reality television” in which the bottom line commercial imperative militates against any possibility of quality creeping through. It is in this context that I sought out one of Australia’s living national treasures of the theatre, Henri Szeps OAM, veteran of such ABC classics as ‘Mother and Son’ and ‘Palace of Dreams’, who took time out from his current season of QED at the Ensemble for a conversation with me in a coffee shop in Leichhardt. Henri Szeps, even after almost fifty years on stage and screen, is a very passionate man. He is passionate about the theatre, he is passionate about the need to affirm our culture (having joined us as a European migrant at the age of eight), tell our stories, play our music – “There can be no cohesion in society unless it speaks to itself through its music, its painting, its literature, its live performance.” He is passionate about the need for Australians to continue to hold up the mirror to our society – “It is Above: Henri Szeps and Ron Haddrick in fundamental to the health of our great speed, the brain must always “Codgers”. Below: Henri Szeps society that we have the capacity to be in control question and challenge society’s • every audience is different, every values. The Arts are all about asking performance is different, you must questions and searching for the truth. adapt Unfortunately, commercialism gets in the way of that search for truth.” • emotions are so malleable, but Henri’s observations about his craft thoughts must be so alert are fascinating: • if the performance is right, people • the only people who find acting say you love your job, but it must easy aim for mediocrity always look as though it is done with love. • if you are a perfectionist you are doomed to failure Henri considers his time in ‘Mother and Son’ (1983 – 1993) as a high • never blame the audience for not point in a long and distinguished reacting – it simply means you’ve career, and working with Ruth justification – we hated him but we got it wrong Cracknell and Gary McDonald both a identified with him too. ‘Mother and • acting is like the giant slalom – you constant joy and an inspiration. Son’ hit all the right buttons in the take a deep breath and launch Henri’s character Robert, the dreadful Australian ethos, dealing sensitively yourself into the performance, and brother, is “like all of us – never with family relationships and the in the helter-skelter downhill run at wrong, full of excuses and self- issue of ageing.” Another ABC series,

Page 8 ‘Palace of Dreams’, set in a good drama, ‘Codgers’ asks questions, Aug 19th – 20th Depression-era Sydney pub run by a but the answers are up to us, the Regional Theatre, Griffith Russian-Jewish migrant family also audience. (02) 6961 8388 resonated with Henri as it told an In the words of Henri Szeps, “that’s Aug 26th important story of our history, our the function of theatre. At the end of Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree culture and our national the show, people leave, saying “Yes, (02) 6552 5699 characteristics. another day is worth living!” His blunt advice to those young I left that Leichhardt coffee shop Aug 28th – 30th ones considering acting as a career: thankful that I had spent an hour in Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour • keep right away from it unless the company of a passionate man (02) 6652 8088 you’d die if you didn’t who lives life to the full. Sept 2nd – 3rd • you can’t be a mediocre artist or You can see Henri and friends in NORPA, Starcourt Theatre you will starve – there’s no safety “Codgers” at the following regional 1300 066 772 net theatres: Sept 9th – 20th • you must have the ability to July 30th – Aug 9th Glen Street Theatre, Belrose connect with the imagination of Riverside Theatre, Parramatta (02) 9975 1455 the audience (02) 8839 3399 Sept. 22nd – 23rd • be prepared to try anything- Aug 12th – 16th Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford versatility is essential Hothouse Theatre, Albury-Wodonga (02) 4323 3233 (02) 6021 7433 • go overseas – Australia has the small pond problem Henri went to U.K. from 1971 to 1974 to “learn from the big names”, working with such greats as Derek Jacobi. His first training was as an acrobat, he is fluent in French, he has done stand-up comedy, cabaret, singing, dancing, musicals, the club circuit… The future for Henri Szeps? Retirement?? – “When I die!” was his emphatic response. Henri seems to have taken to heart three words of wisdom from a father he hardly knew (he did not come to Australia with Henri and his mum) – “Live for today!” – and he does. He shares the concern of many artists for the state of the world – oil, water, food, population – “we are going to have to make a gearchange of huge proportions.” He believes passionately in the importance of the arts and artists in helping society to make the changes necessary if the world is to survive. In his next venture on stage, ‘Codgers,’ in which he appears with a distinguished cast of senior Australian actors – Ron Haddrick, Ronald Falk, Edwin Hodgeman, John Lam, Graham Rouse – we meet a bunch of old mates at the gym each morning. They chew the fat, laugh, tease and sing. They agree to disagree; secrets and a loss of trust threaten to destroy long- established friendships, BUT they wouldn’t be dead for quids! Like all

Page 9 unhappy with the ABC's overall News is good for ABC exoneration of the program, appealed to the Australian Broadcasting Authority with only marginal success. Matthew Ricketson method to review a sample of 150 Mr Howard appointed three noted The Age 26 May 08 current affairs items from last October. "There is a very high standard of public critics of the ABC to its board, accuracy in the material broadcast by anthropologist Ron Brunton, News HE ABC's flagship radio current AM, The World Today and PM," he Limited columnist Janet Albrechtsen Taffairs programs — often the concluded. and historian Keith Windschuttle. source of tension and controversy in Inaccuracies stemmed less from After Mr Scott began as managing the Howard years — have won recklessness or incompetence than director in mid-2006, he moved swiftly overwhelming endorsement from a from deadline pressure and "the to lower the temperature of landmark report by an external competitiveness that drives journalists `government-ABC relations, making expert. An audit of AM, PM and The to make the most - sometimes too his first major speech at the Sydney World Today found they were almost much - out of their material". Institute, which is headed by long- 96% accurate. time critic of the ABC Gerard In an appendix to the report, the Henderson, and in late 2006 appointed ABC managing director Mark Scott head of the ABC's news division, John respected former journalist and lawyer said the report supported the ABC's Cameron, contested the findings of Paul Chadwick as the first director of goal of continually improving inaccuracy in some instances, saying editorial policies. editorial standards. He emphasised the the journalists' news-gathering report was not initiated at the behest inquiries had found information that Mr Scott said yesterday he was not of Mr Howard's government. clarified or superseded the original providing specific briefings to the The review, by an expert who documents. Rudd Labor Government on the continuing reviews of programs, reported to the ABC's director of The review comes against a backdrop policies and procedures. editorial policies, Paul Chadwick, of 11 years of tension and sometimes found 95.3% of items sampled from open hostility between the ABC and "We are doing this ourselves as part the three programs were either wholly Mr Howard's government. Former of our self-regulation, and making the or substantially accurate for plain facts communications minister Richard results available to all online. and were 97.3% accurate on the Alston complained unrelentingly "The ABC holds itself to the highest context of the facts. about the Iraq war coverage in 2003 by editorial standards of independence, Denis Muller, an independent the morning radio current affairs fairness, accuracy and impartiality media research specialist and a former program AM, exhausting all the ABC's under the framework of our editorial associate editor of The Age, devised a internal complaints mechanisms and, policies," he said.

Summer Heights High Success Story

Free downloads don't ABC shops. However he argued that average 5 city metro audience of 1.3 such was the quality of the million. The program captured a erode audiences production that it attracted large viewing share of 47% among high audiences for the initial broadcast on school aged students, and 45% of 13- n a speech to the CCI International Channel 2, high usage of a special 24 year-olds. The Summer Heights I Conference the ABC’s Director of Summer Heights High website, more High website was one of the most Television, Kim Dalton, has claimed than a million downloads over the popular ABC TV program sites. 1.2 that the ABC’s decision to make internet plus record sales of the DVD. million downloads were recorded for Summer Heights High available for Mr Dalton said, “We worked very the program in 2007 and interactive free download over the internet, has closely with the co-producers to games were available. And how did not only led to a huge audience for ensure that we could deliver free, full this affect the viability of the DVD? the broadcasts on Channel 2, but has downloads of the program after each After two months in release, Summer also resulted in record sales of DVDs week's broadcast. We knew this was Heights High had the highest sales of of the series. highly commercially desirably any individual Australian title in the Mr Dalton admitted that the content, but we went with a counter- last four years. decision to make downloads intuitive strategy to the standard Clearly, the paradigm is shifting. available for free might seem counter restrictive distribution policy.” Our online on-demand offering does intuitive, given the prospect of And what happened? The Summer not erode our audiences; it strengthens profitable sales of the DVD through Heights High broadcast achieve an their engagement and enjoyment.

Page 10 John Clarke Logie Awards inducted into for the ABC Logie Awards While Chris Lilley, the creator and star of Summer Heights High, won the Silver Logie for Most Popular Actor, Hall of Fame The ABC dominated the peer-voted outstanding awards - winning five: John Clarke is being recognised for his Curtin won Most Outstanding Drama esteemed contribution to the Series, Miniseries or Telemovie; Lilley's Australian television industry, through John Clarke Summer Heights High was named Most work as performer, writer and director. Outstanding Comedy and the Choir John was in fine comic form when including Graham Kennedy, Max Of Hard Knocks claimed the Most informed of his win, saying, "I'm Gillies, Geoffrey Rush, Andrew Outstanding Factual Series Logie. "It's inclined to regard this as a youth Denton, Sam Neill and Gina Riley – indeed a great honour to stand here encouragement award. I'm deeply have produced comedy gold, while his tonight and represent the choir," grateful and will do what I can." prolific writing career has spanned creator Jonathan Welsh said. He said the group still meets weekly to Since arriving here in 1977, the New drama series ANZACs to acclaimed sing."This belongs to them. They truly Zealand-born comic has wooed the mockumentary The Games. are the stars of this show and deserve Australian public. He began with his It’s his unique ability to make us trademark political satire “interviews” laugh at ourselves that’s made John this more than anybody." alongside comedian Bryan Dawe on Clarke’s talent such a valuable treasure. Australian Story's program about ABC radio, then moved to A Current From his genesis as Fred Dagg to all his Belinda Emmett picked up the Most Affair, where they were a part of the current guises, he is a truly worthy Outstanding Public Affairs Report. The program for many years. recipient of this prestigious award. ABC also won Most Outstanding John’s collaborations over the years (with thanks to Joan Laing, editor of Documentary for Constructing Australia: with Australia’s leading performers – Background Briefing) The Bridge.

Map of the future for Australia and the ABC

Alan Knight neighbourhoods as they contribute to younger audiences are located. This the national debates. As an Emeritus trend places even more responsibility ur future will be Professor from a regional university, I on the ABC, our largest Australian O mapped on the know that remote learners must engage owned media institution. Internet. Before and with metropolitan libraries and data The ABC needs open and responsive beyond 2020, Australians will demand bases to form and fire the imaginations governance, and untied and adequate equitable access to enhanced digital which will invent our futures. As budgeting to bring its old information to underpin our National Spokesperson for Friends of communications skills to this new democracy, to develop our self- the ABC, I understand the critical role market of ideas. As broadband awareness and to re-create the cultures the national broadcaster already plays develops, more citizens can be which will bind national unity. in this process by creating Australian expected to download radio and intellectual products which enlighten television programs rather than relying Many will become producers as well and entertain and which, when on terrestrial broadcasters. The ABC's as consumers, but to do so effectively, distributed, unify Australians from the growing online archive should become they will need the support of existing suburbs to the bush. an unfolding resource not just for intellectual drivers such as the historians and the politically interested universities and the ABC. The ABC stands as a national alternative to locally focused but for anyone, anywhere, who wants Broadband promises individuals in commercial radio and television to advance their knowledge of the outback as well as the cities stations which entertain and perhaps Australia. opportunities to consider and inform but which do not necessarily Graded, certified and marketed contribute to the national polity. This educate. The ABC produces quality uniquely Australian conversation need knowledge - education - is already one journalism throughout Australia in of Australia's major export earners. But not be overwhelmed by a flood of contrast to in-depth newspapers which to remain internationally competitive, globalised and perhaps sanitised news are largely centred in the major cities. our educators must think beyond and entertainment. Newspaper advertising revenue which As a former journalist, I know that underpins such quality journalism is (Continued on Page 12) Australians want news about their already shifting to the net where

Page 11 Map of the future for The internet threads through many industries are to be realised, all of the questions before the 2020 Australians need access to net Australia and the ABC conference. It can be expected to delivered information, education (Continued from Page 11) drive education, the economy, the and culture. A strong and healthy arts and even environmental projects ABC, working with more disparate institutions and deploy as Australians to pursue sea changes. conventional educators could lead professional communications to build As Bill Gates said, knowledge workers the way to this prosperous and new, open, intelligence networks. can operate anywhere there is a innovative future. And it's not enough to supply computer and a modem. This could educators with modern mean high quality jobs in clean and Professor Alan Knight, President of communications technology. They ordered regional environments. Queensland Friends of the ABC, also need professional However, if Richard Florida's submitted this statement with his communications skills. intelligence intensive, creative nomination for the 2020 conference. The Gruen Transfer. How it all ads up

Sacha Molitorisz SMH 26 May 08 "I can't say we haven't enjoyed the US's first shopping malls. ‘The putting the Gruen ads on," says Jon Gruen Transfer’ refers to the moment 'We've had 200 complaints," says Casimir, who created the show with a person in a shopping mall becomes Wil Anderson, host of the The Andrew Denton. "I heard of people disoriented by lighting, music, Gruen Transfer. "We're the most having a sense of disconnection, of mirrors and so on and becomes more complained-about show on TV turning to their partner and saying, likely to make impulse purchases. even before being on-air." 'Did I actually see what I thought I On the show, Anderson leads saw or am I going mad?"' The Gruen Transfer is a show about experts from the ad industry through advertising - the very thing viewers As with many effective ads, the a series of exercises, games and turn to the ABC to avoid. The Gruen promos are subversive, discussions. Regular panelists include complaints have been about the mock provocative and funny. Still attracting advertisers Todd Sampson (of Leo ads aired on the ABC to promote the attention on YouTube, they Burnett) and Russel Howcroft (of show. One was for an anti-ageing skin encapsulate the spirit of the show, George Patterson Y&R), who tackle cream, which ends with the slogan, which amounts to a withering satire issues such as the objectification of "If you buy this you'll have been born and expose of the advertising women or the marketing of unethical yesterday." And another for Gruen industry. products. Bank: "We know you hate us and we The show's name derives from If the show does its job properly, hate you, too, [but] you need us and Victor Gruen, an architect born in you may find yourself responding to we know it." Vienna in 1903 who designed one of ads differently. You may suddenly notice that almost every beer ad has four blokes, that men in underwear ads are ‘double-bagged’ (male models wear two pairs of undies) and that there are differences between chocolate pitched at men and women. Similarly, The Gruen Transfer tries to reveal the humanity of advertisers. It's a witty, nuanced account of an industry often dismissed as voracious and destructive. And despite the complaints, the ABC is the perfect home for the show. "I don't think there's anywhere else the show could be," Casimir says. "No commercial network or entity would pick up a show that questions the commerce that drives the network. Can you imagine us getting stuck into four-wheel-drives when the next ad is for a 4WD?"

Page 12 Office of Senator. The Hon Stephen Conroy Minister for broadband, communications and the digital economy Deputy leader of the government in the senate

2 May 2008 Ms Drusi Megget President Friends of the ABC Mid North Coast PO Box 1752 PORT MACQUARIE NSW 2444

Dear Ms Megget,

The ABC Thank you for your letter dated 14 February 2008 to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, on behalf of the Mid North Coast Branch of the Friends of the ABC, concerning the ABC. The Minister has asked me to respond on his behalf and I apologise for the delay in replying. The Minister has asked me to thank you for your invitation to speak at the proposed forum. Unfortunately, he is not available to meet with your members at this time. I have recently had an opportunity to meet with representatives from the NSW, Queensland and ACT branches of the Friends of the ABC, and had some very informative discussions concerning ABC funding, board appointments and advertising. The Australian Government is committed to ensuring adequate funding to the ABC on a triennial basis to enable it to provide Australians with high-quality broadcasting services, free from political and commercial interference. Over the three years to 2008-09, Government funding to the ABC will total more than $2.5 billion. Any new funding proposals for the ABC would be considered in the context of the Federal Budget. The Government is also committed to the independence of the ABC, recognising that it is critical to ensuring unbiased programming and editorial decisions and restoring public confidence in our national broadcaster. In line with its election commitment, the Government plans to introduce a new ABC Board appointment process. The new ABC Board appointment process will ensure that board members are appointed on the basis of merit. Candidates will be considered by a panel established independently from the Minister who will select Board members from a shortlist prepared by the panel. SBS Board appointments will be dealt with in the same way. This method would be similar to the 'Nolan rules' system of board appointments which is used by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). Further, under the new Board Appointment process, the Chairmanship of the ABC will be held by a person nominated by the Prime Minister and endorsed by the Leader of the Opposition. The Government will also restore the staff-elected Director position on the ABC Board, which was abolished by the previous Government. The Australian Broadcasting Act J983 provides that a person shall not be appointed as a non-executive Director of the ABC Board unless the person appears to the Governor-General to be suitable for appointment because of having: o experience in connection with the provision of broadcasting services or in communications or management; o expertise in financial or technical matters; or o cultural or other interests relevant to the oversight of a public organisation engaged in the provision of broadcasting and television services. This will not change under the new ABC Board appointment process. The Government is moving quickly to implement these arrangements to ensure greater transparency, accountability and public confidence in the ABC. Thank you for writing to the Minister concerning these issues. I trust this information will be of assistance.

Yours sincerely, Sophie Mitchell Adviser

Page 13 pad for cultural revolution. As part of this cultural revolution, the ABC for a New Teeth for Aunty long time had supposedly pushed the agenda of the Left on issues like refugees, the republic, Reinvigorating the multiculturalism, reconciliation, radical feminism, extreme environmentalism, anti-Americanism, gay rights and so on. Because it was National Broadcaster supposedly still influenced by Marxism, it was anti-capitalist, showing little interest in or Part One. By Robert Manne ever in my car at 4.00 in the afternoon or at 10.00 in the evening I listen to understanding of real-world am a creature of habit. In the Phillip Adams, perhaps the most economics. The ABC had long been, it I mornings, like the former prime remarkable broadcaster in the history of was claimed, dominated by so-called minister, I rely on Radio National’s this country. elites, who tried to force their so- Breakfast, although I am less impressed This outline of my daily routine called politically correct views down with it in its current incarnation than I should at least make one thing clear: the throats of ‘ordinary people’. was when it was presented by Peter the ABC plays a very important part Because there was believed to be a Thompson and Richard Ackland. With in my life. As it does for very many disconnect between the ABC the former there used to be outstanding program-makers, who were said to be intellectual discussions between 7.30 Australians. There is almost no left-wing ideologues, and their and 8.00, often involving key thinkers institution in Australia that is more from around the globe. With the latter generally trusted, valued and loved viewers and listeners, who on balance what I admired was the mordant wit. than the ABC, as survey after survey were liberal or conservative, the short Almost my favourite moment on radio, shows. There is probably no other description of the ABC most favoured ever, came during an Ackland interview that has so loyal and attentive and by John Howard in 1996 was the one with the redoubtable but garrulous possessive a society of Friends. supplied by his adviser Grahame Geoffrey Robertson. There was a Morris: “our enemy talking to our moment when it appeared likely that a friends”. Robertson answer would never end. Although almost every element of Ackland had sufficient mastery of the this case was either exaggerated or technology to inform his listeners, The Howard entirely fanciful, at the time the without interrupting Robertson, by now in full flight, that he was going out for a years saw the Howard government came into office quick smoke. Every morning I listen to both it and its supporters believed AM. On the way to work I try to take in rise and rise of something needed to be done. one of the Radio National morning Let me outline the most important magazine programs on media, religion an aggressive elements of the strategy that and the law, although I avoid sport gradually unfolded. The Howard years because the program doesn’t interest right-wing saw the rise and rise of an aggressive me much, and health on hypochondriac right-wing commentariat: Andrew grounds. If I work at home I often listen commentariat Bolt, Piers Akerman, Alan Jones, to Classic FM, although never to Miranda Devine, Janet Albrechtsen, Margaret Throsby, for the paradoxical Christopher Pearson, Gerard reason that her interviews are so Henderson, Paul Sheehan and so on. absorbing that I cannot concentrate on It is uncontroversial that the period of For the past 11 and three-quarter the task at hand. I almost never listen the Howard government was the most any longer to ABC Local Radio. I am years they maintained a consistent difficult era in the history of the ABC. simply not interested in the kind of rhetorical attack on the supposed left- There were two main interrelated middlebrow market at which it aims. wing bias of the ABC and on the Melbourne’s Jon Faine is an exception. reasons for this, one ideological and apparent failure of its chairman or its Local ABC becomes important to me the other financial. Let me deal first board or even the government to only at 6.00, with PM, which I try never with the one I understand best. recapture it. Of course, all this had to miss. In the evenings, whenever As soon as the Howard government its effect. possible, I watch mainly ABC Television: was elected, it decided to make the The attack-dogs in the media had the news and the 7.30 Report, often ABC one of the main fronts of the the support of the neo-liberal think- what is on offer after that, and if I am culture war it was determined to tanks, like the IPA in Melbourne, not exhausted, Lateline. If I am in the which at critical moments during the garden on weekends, I like to listen to prosecute. The justification can be football in the winter and cricket in the summarised like this. At some time in past decade conducted pseudo- summer. During Test matches the gentle the past, so it was alleged, the ABC academic studies into bias during patter of the commentary, punctuated had been “captured” by its staff, who election campaigns or during political occasionally by Kerry O’Keefe’s insane sought to use the broadcaster, in a crises such as the 1998 waterfront laughter, replaces Classic FM. If I am Gramscian manner, as a launching dispute. Even though these studies

Page 14 generally did not show what they set Liberal Party culture-war combatant, ensure that the problem of bias, both out to show, they too had their effect. Michael Kroger. According to the perceived and real, would be seriously The anti-ABC campaign had the historian of the ABC, Ken Inglis, addressed. He also made it clear that support of Coalition senators, like Kroger was the first board member to one of the television programs Santo Santoro and Concetta Anna try to intervene directly with a frequently accused of bias, Media Fierravanti-Wells, who were fed program: Chris Masters’ Four Corners Watch, would be reviewed, and that a new, conspicuously unbiased material on supposed ABC bias by portrait of Alan Jones. When he could program, Difference of Opinion, interested lobby groups and used it not get his way on this and many would be launched, as a sign of the for a remorseless biannual assault on other issues, largely because of the resistance of the conservative chair, kind of improved cultural balance he ABC executives during estimates Donald McDonald, Kroger decided to sought to create. hearings of the Senate. Such attacks quit. He was soon followed onto the ...to be continued. by themselves would not have had as board, though, by three of the most much impact if they had not been strident anti-ABC cultural warriors in The second part of this article will supported by Howard government the country: Ron Brunton, Janet appear in the next issue of Update. ministers, most importantly Richard Albrechtsen and Keith Windschuttle. Alston. At first Alston demanded Even now there was still, for the Or alternatively, the whole piece can be more elaborate complaints government, a problem with the found on the FABC website at mechanisms be established. He then board: the staff-elected director. www.fabc.org.au News and Views used these new mechanisms to pursue Issue 26. Ramona Koval was first accused of the ABC for many, many months, and leaking board material to a journalist, in no less than three separate David Marr. She was then criticised inquiries, over the supposed bias in for her unwillingness to accept a AM’s coverage of the early stages of Do you wish protocol which required all board the invasion of Iraq. According to the members to keep their proceedings to contribute Howard government and its confidential, something Koval supporters’ set of values, Linda thought inconsistent with her role as to Update? Mottram’s or John Shovelan’s the elected representative of the ABC occasional sarcasms at America’s staff. Because of her refusal to accept expense were of greater moral the confidentiality protocol, one of If so, please observe the following significance than the fact that the members of the board, the Guidelines: Australia was involved in an invasion stockbroker and close friend of the • All material should be submitted to the of a country on the basis of false prime minister Maurice Newman, editor Mal Hewitt email: intelligence concerning non-existent resigned. When Koval’s term was [email protected] weapons of mass destruction, which finished, the position of staff-elected • Articles submitted can only be led to the death of tens and then board member was abolished. And accepted in Microsoft Word format, sent in as attachments to an email. If hundreds of thousands of people, the when Donald McDonald’s second you don't normally use Microsoft Word, flight of millions of others, the term expired, Newman made a return, you will find you can 'Save As' into that likelihood of full-scale civil war and this time as chair. Finally the board format. the destruction of a nation. could conduct its affairs in • Please do not attempt to "format" or confidence. One decision now made indent or otherwise shape the word was not to publish Chris Masters’ document, and in particular do not type biography of Alan Jones. Another was, a "return" after any sentence, except at In my opinion or so it was reported, to require the the end of a paragraph. the long campaign ABC to televise a denialist • Do not use double spacing. The text documentary on climate change, should just flow normally. against left-wing The Great Global Warming Swindle. • Pictures should submitted in .JPG bias at the ABC, The board appointed a new format as attachments to an email. managing director, Mark Scott, who • If possible crop your photos before however, did began his administration by making a submission. critical admission at the Sydney salon • To maintain the quality of images far more harm of one of the most persistent of the inserted into Update, pictures should ABC’s right-wing critics, Gerard not be reduced in "file size" (the than good. number of kilobytes). Just submit them Henderson: even if the enemies of the in their original file size, after cropping. ABC frequently exaggerated their case • Ideally, pics should be greater than 300 (A snippet from next issue’s instalment.) about left-wing bias, this did not kilobytes, and depending on your mean that what they alleged was camera setup they may be several entirely without foundation. He was megabytes. For the Howard government all the first managing director to make a • Picture captions are essential - add this, however, was not enough. To concession of this kind. Scott made it them to the MS Word document reform the ABC it first appointed to clear that, under his administration, submitted. Refer the caption to the the board a key extra-parliamentary mechanisms would be created to picture file name.

Page 15 STATE AND REGIONAL BRANCHES

National Web Portal Central Coast Illawarra Queensland – FABC links to all State Branches. John Hale Jan Kent (Secretary) Professor Alan Knight 21 Stephenson Rd Friends of the ABC Illawarra Creative Industries Faculty QUT Go to: Bateau Bay NSW 2261 PO Box 336, Unanderra 2526 GPO Box 2434 Brisbane 4001 www.friendsoftheabc.org.au Phone: 4333 8107 Phone/Fax: 4271 3531 [email protected] [email protected] New South Wales [email protected] [email protected] Mal Hewitt (President) FABC NSW Cowper Northern Rivers ACT – FABC Joyce Gardner (Secretary) PO Box 1391 North Sydney 2059 Neville Jennings Jill Greenwell FABC Cowper PO Box 1169 Phone: 9637 2900 PO Box 1484 Kingscliff 2487 GPO Box 2625 [email protected] Coffs Harbour NSW 2450 Phone: 6568 7532 Phone/Fax: 6674 3830 (H) Canberra ACT 2601 Albury [email protected] [email protected] Phone: 6253 3531 Jim Saleeba [email protected] Eastern Suburbs Orange 621 Lindsay Ave. Nizza Siano (Secretary) Bev Holland South Australia – FABC Albury NSW 2640 16 Holland Rd 26 Sunny South Crescent Joan Laing Phone: 6021 5690 Bellevue Hill NSW 2023 Orange NSW 2800 PO Box 7158 Hutt St [email protected] Phone/Fax: 9327 3423 Phone: 6362 4744 Adelaide SA 5000 [email protected] Armidale [email protected] Phone/FAX (08) 8271 0751 [email protected] Priscilla Connor Eurobodalla Parramatta 41 Judith Street Keith Simmons Mal Hewitt Western Australia – FABC Armidale NSW 2350 117 Beach Road 31 Queen St Granville 2142 Harry Cohen Phone: 6772 3454 or 6772 2217 Batehaven 2536 Phone: 9637 2900 PO Box 179 Phone: 4472 9898 [email protected] [email protected] Darlington WA 6070 [email protected] [email protected] Bathurst Mid North Coast Tracey Carpenter Great Lakes Drusi Megget [email protected] Marty Morrison (VP) 76 Havannah St PO Box 1752 PO Box 871 Tasmania – FABC Bathurst NSW 2795 Port Macquarie NSW 2444 Forster 2428 Melissa Sharpe Phone: 6331 8305 Phone: 6555 2442 Phone: 6583 8798 PO Box 301 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] North Hobart TAS 7002 Phone: 0427 041 161 Blue Mountains Hunter Victoria – FABC [email protected] Bob Macadam Peter Brandscheid Friends of the ABC (Vic) 34 Lee Road c/o PO Box 265 GPO Box 4065 Winmalee NSW 2777 Merewether 2291 Melbourne VIC 3001 FABC RESOURCE CENTRE Phone: 4754 1620 Phone: 4943 8076 Phone: (03) 9682 0073 Darce Cassidy [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.friendsoftheabc.org

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