OCT / NOV / DEC 2016 Volume 39 No 4
Australian Broadcasting Corporation Reunion Club – Victoria – Inc.
PATRON: Stephen Murray
Manager TV Operations
W HAT is there to say about our usual July function
at the RACV that we haven’t said before? Mem-
bers keep asking us to make it a permanent event and that
apparently is what it has become. We’ve actually forgot-
ten how may times we’ve attended this delightful seafood
buffet luncheon.
As usual we had a good turn-up—seventy two mem-
bers which is two more than our allowed quota. (Because
we shared the venue with RACV social members we were
limited to 70 but we sneaked in an extra couple.)
As usual there was the most amazing selection of sea-
food and antipasto to cope with every taste. We believe
some only go there for the oysters judging by the number
of return visits to the Oyster bar.
As our members are now well aware there was an
abundance of delicious dishes besides the seafood, a se-
lection that included soup, prime roast beef and turkey
from the carvery, various hot vegetables, pasta dishes, and
some other interesting creations. A choice of wine and
other drinks was available from the waiter service and
much socialising took place.
Again, the selection of desserts was to die for, with
brandy snaps, plum pudding, egg custard, and rich cakes
and tarts of every description. There were also cheeses
and crackers. The banquet finished with tea and coffee
after a really enjoyable day. The only regret was that no-
body had the capacity to sample every one of the wonder-
ful dishes.
* * * *
In August, a group of 24 members attended the Hamer
Hall tour which turned out to be a most interesting
event. Our tour guide, Jeanne, was most informative as
she guided us through the various sections of the
Hamer Hall complex, concentrating on the recently re-
furbished, redesigned and newly constructed areas.
Particularly interesting was the John Truscott room
which housed his Academy Awards for motion picture
design. (John Truscott was the man behind the Hamer
Hall design.)
We were also fortunate enough to hear the Mel-
bourne Symphony Orchestra in rehearsal while seated
in the plush new seats in the Dress Circle. The re-
hearsal was conducted by none other than the famous
international conductor Sir Andrew Davis who is cur-
rently attached to the MSO.
The new interior design of the auditorium is most
attractive, especially the remarkable orange coloured
hanging lights. The hall has also been completely re-
designed for optimum sound quality. The acoustic proper-
ties of the hall can be varied to an even greater degree
than before to suit the particular type of performance.
At the conclusion of the tour we all adjourned to
the nearby “La Camera” restaurant at Southbank where
a delicious lunch was enjoyed. Altogether a most
pleasurable day.
Holiday in Tasmania
SPACE and time does not allow us to give an account of our
very successful September trip to Tasmania, however we
hope to provide a full report in the next Newsletter along
with some photos.
Doug Sharp and John Goldrich sit beside the impressive
bronze sculpture “The Tuning Fork” at Hamer Hall.
Some of our members in the “John Truscott Room” observing
John Truscott’s academy awards which can be just seen at the centre of the photograph.
John Truscott’s Academy Awards
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� � � � COMCOMCOMCOMIIIINGNGNGNG EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS ����
HERRING ISLAND HERRING ISLAND HERRING ISLAND HERRING ISLAND CRUISECRUISECRUISECRUISE (HIC)
Thursday Thursday Thursday Thursday 13 October13 October13 October13 October
You may just have time to book for this two-
hour cruise from
Princes Walk on the Melba Star Ferry to
Herring Island in the Yarra and return via
the Docklands. The ferry has a
Captain and Deck Hands. There will be
tea and coffee included and there is a bar on
board. There is inside
and outside seating on the boat and there are
toilets. It is allowable to
bring your own food (but not drink) and
there are tables. An interesting des-
criptive commentary
will be given along the way.
We meet at 10.15 am at 11 Princes
Walk, Federation Square Riverfront,
Berth 4.
There is lift access to the river, or a ramp
and stairs.
COST: Members $25.
Guests $30.
HOW TO BOOK:
Booking details are on Booking details are on Booking details are on Booking details are on page 4.page 4.page 4.page 4.
BBQ AT VIEWBANK BBQ AT VIEWBANK BBQ AT VIEWBANK BBQ AT VIEWBANK Code (BBQ) Sunday 13 NovemberSunday 13 NovemberSunday 13 NovemberSunday 13 November
Linton and Tiffany Bryant have very kindly again offered to hold this fabulous event at their property in Viewbank.
As in the past, sausages, salads, and bread will be provided plus desserts, but please bring your own drinks including tea and coffee
and drinking vessels. Vegetarians will need to contact Carol or
otherwise bring their own special BBQ food. To ensure seating, please bring a portable table and chairs.
We will again have a live six-piece jazz band to entertain us and we graciously thank our Chairman, Johnnie, who has kindly donated $200
for the hire of the band. The address is: 2 Bannockburn Road, Viewbank (Melways ref. 20,
J 10). Enter off Lower Plenty Road and drive to the end of Bannock-burn Road. The entrance is on the left and we’ll put up some balloons
to mark the spot. There is plenty of parking inside. We meet at
12.00 noon.
COST FOR LUNCH: Members $15 Guests $20COST FOR LUNCH: Members $15 Guests $20COST FOR LUNCH: Members $15 Guests $20COST FOR LUNCH: Members $15 Guests $20 HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEONANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEONANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEONANNUAL CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON (ACL) Friday 2nd DecemberFriday 2nd DecemberFriday 2nd DecemberFriday 2nd December
BY popular request we return to the RACV, 501 Bourke Street. We will have our own private room on the second floor.
This is a not-to-be-missed Christmas event which usually attracts more than 100 members. Pre-luncheon drinks and hot savouries will be provided at
12.00 noon in the reception area on the 2nd floor. A two-course meal of high quality will then be served in our own private room. Wine, beer
and soft drinks to accompany the main meal can be purchased at your
own expense. The meal will finish with coffee and chocolates.
COST: Members $60 COST: Members $60 COST: Members $60 COST: Members $60 (subsidised). (subsidised). (subsidised). (subsidised). Guests $80 Guests $80 Guests $80 Guests $80 (actual price) (actual price) (actual price) (actual price)
HOW TO BOOK: HOW TO BOOK: HOW TO BOOK: HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.Please see page 4.Please see page 4.Please see page 4.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) Friday 17th February, 2017 Friday 17th February, 2017 Friday 17th February, 2017 Friday 17th February, 2017
We are returning to the (now newly renovated) Elms Function Room at the Caulfield Race course.
Champagne and soft drinks along with hot and cold savouries will be served on arrival at 11.00 am followed by the official meeting at 12.00
noon. At around 1.00 pm a gourmet main course will be served at each
table. Drinks to accompany lunch can be purchased at bar prices. Delicious desserts, tea, coffee and mints will follow.
The entrance is in Station Street (near the Caulfield railway station) almost opposite Smith Street (Melways p.68, E 1). Enter at the ‘Glass
House Tabaret’ and proceed to the Elms Function Room. A Car park is available (opposite) on the corner of Smith and Station
Streets and is marked ‘Glass House Parking’.
COST:COST:COST:COST: Members $45 Members $45 Members $45 Members $45 (subsidised)(subsidised)(subsidised)(subsidised). Guests $58 (actual price) . Guests $58 (actual price) . Guests $58 (actual price) . Guests $58 (actual price) HOW TO BOOK: HOW TO BOOK: HOW TO BOOK: HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.Please see page 4.Please see page 4.Please see page 4.
3
Our Our Our Our
YESTERDAYSYESTERDAYSYESTERDAYSYESTERDAYS
RADIO AUSTRALIA
Annual Get-together THIS regular yearly function for former RA staff
will be held in a new location! It’s at the
Caulfield Glass House. The entrance is in Station Street (near the Caulfield railway
station) almost opposite Smith Street (Melways p.68, E 1). Enter at the ‘Glass House Tabaret’.
A free Car park is available (opposite) on the corner of Smith and Station Streets and is
marked ‘Glass House Parking’. The date is Sunday 27th November, at 12.00 noon. A choice of Seniors’ or a la carte meals is
available. For further details and booking, ring Yvonne Stent on 9802 4378.
YVONNE Stent has sent us an article about her
years at the ABC as a Switchboard Operator.
The item is a little too long to be printed here in
full so we have selected a few highlights:
Yvonne worked on the ABC Switchboard at
Ripponlea from 1978. “This ‘Cords and Plugs’
Switchboard was the last one used in Melbourne
and is now in the archives at the Telecom Museum
in Hawthorn," Yvonne said.
“During the Federal elections many people
would ring in after a broadcast in order to air their
opinions, and many of them were quite abusive. I
had to record all calls—it was chaotic. One time I
happened to ring the girl at Ripponlea to see how
she was coping and heard her voice, somewhat
deeper, pretending to be a recorded message with
this is a recorded message. Please ring back after 8am tomorrow.”
“In 1983 I moved to Radio Australia into their
new headquarters at Burwood East. [Radio
Australia had previously been scattered in various
locations.] This was now the first multi-cultural
organisation in Australia. I was the first person
international callers would speak to in Australia and
learned the word for hello in many languages. Our
overseas reporters were always pleased to hear my
voice and I became their ‘mother hen’ figure.”
“We had a great social life out at Burwood
Eas t—Saturday night dinners featuring
international foods, each one outdoing the other.
We were a tightly knit group, all the more
significant because we came from many different
countries. After thirty years about forty of us still
meet for lunch.”
Ed: For several years the ABC Reunion Club
held their Annual General Meetings at Burwood
East. In addition, the Newsletter (which was
monthly then) was often printed there.
Radio Australia at Burwood East in the 1980s
More about Radio Australia
THE Burwood East building was completed in the
early 1980s and consisted of three levels with a total
floor area of 6,800 square metres also housing a 650
KVA emergency power generator to ensure non-stop
operation. At the time, the staff numbered 170 with
virtually self contained program departments and
(then) modern studio facilities.
A much reduced Radio Australia now shares the
Southbank Radio and Television premises with all
other ABC entities. Most technical facilities are now
almost entirely digital.
Former Club Chairman Allan Hiscock, and Gary Jones
at work in RA’s Master Control in the early 1980s.
Open-Office planning at Radio Australia in the 1980s.
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HOW TO BOOK FOR AN EVENT
For those members sending cheques or Money Orders by post, the procedure is this:
1. Make cheques payable to the ABC Reunion Club
2. On the back of your cheque (or on a slip of paper attached to your cheque) please write the following:
Your member number (or your name), the event code, and the number of people attending.
E.g. 153AGM2 means Member No 153, Annual General Meeting, 2 people attending.
If you are paying for two or more events, repeat the coded information for each event.
If you propose to bring a guest please let us know their name for insurance purposes.
3. Post the cheque to PO Box 272, Glen Waverley, Vic. 3150 (Put your return address on the envelope)
Members making bank transfers must initially contact the Secretary for procedure details. Reminder: In the Transaction Description: 999AGM2 means your Member Number, Event Code, 2 people attending.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Write, telephone the appropriate Committee Member, or email: [email protected]
Postal Address: ABC Reunion Club, PO Box 272, Glen Waverley, Vic. 3150 (Please put your return address on the back of any mail)
For Telephone numbers refer to “The Committee” listing.
THE COMMITTEETHE COMMITTEETHE COMMITTEETHE COMMITTEE Chairman: Chairman: Chairman: Chairman: Johnnie Walker
mobile 0418 323 051
Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: Vice Chairman: John Backman Secretary:Secretary:Secretary:Secretary: Carol Simpson-Bull 9561 4124
or mobile 0403 393 746
Treasurer: Treasurer: Treasurer: Treasurer: Barbara Mathiesen mobile 0413 892 877
Newsletter Editor: Newsletter Editor: Newsletter Editor: Newsletter Editor: Ken Simpson-Bull Auditor: Auditor: Auditor: Auditor: Warren Edwards
General Committee: General Committee: General Committee: General Committee: Syah Goldrich, Allan and Helen Hiscock, Lyn Innes-Irons, David Rolfe, Jo Maxian
Committee Meetings
THE Committee meets on the first
Friday of each month except for
December, January and February at
Ripponlea. Members are invited to
join them for lunch at 12.30 at the
(now refurbished) Caulfield Race
course Glass House Restaurant. Seniors’
meals are available.
Bereavement
WE were saddened to hear of the passing of Michael
Shrimpton, former Executive Producer of Light Entertainment.
Michael, who moved to Sydney
quite some time ago, died there
from cancer in September.
His tour de force was the
creation of the long running
program, Countdown. Molly
Meldrum has said, “There would
not have been a Countdown without Michael Shrimpton.”
Michael is survived by his wife
Jude and two daughters.
Free Photography Exhibition
IVAN GAAL has asked us to give him a plug for his
forthcoming exhibition entitled “People, Stories and Dance”
at the Arts Centre, 3409 Warburton Highway, Warburton
from Friday 11th November till Tuesday 31st January. The
Official Opening is on Saturday 12th November at 2.00 pm.
After arriving in Australia as a Hungarian refugee in 1957,
Ivan soon commenced a journey into the world of
photography and filmmaking. The photos in this exhibition
span over forty years of taking these photographs.
Our Chairman not well
OUR Chairman, Johnnie Walker
has been in hospital for some
surgery but which is expected to be
fully successful. We wish him a speedy recovery.