ABC TV Operations Opening Night

ABC TV at GH in the Fifties

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THE FIRST DAY OF TRANSMISSION (5 November 1956)

How it all began. First the "Opener Run Down".

Then click on the appropriate Player to see the first transmisssion from ABC TV.

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If you do not have the Player click here to download.

The first face on ABC television was that of Michael Charlton who was the presenter on the opening night. The official speakers were Sir Richard Boyer, Robert Menzies the Prime Minister, C.W. Davidson the Postmaster General and Senator N.J. McKenna, representing Dr. H.V. Evatt Leader of the Opposition.

The opening night programs were linked to Gore Hill from ABC Studios in Kellet Street, Kings Cross where Michael Charlton and the Official Party were assembled.


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The program crossed to Gore Hill Telecine for the first musical item on ABN2 (a Bach gavotte with the violinist Christian Ferras). This was transmitted without sound! During the start of the first newsreel the film broke! Then it was back to the Kings Cross studios for a number of variety segments featuring artists already known on ABC Radio.

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The first drama (J.M. Barrie's The Twelve Pound Look) produced in the Arcon Studio at GH was transmitted without any serious problems! The news of the opening night spread across the nation. Here's what the Townsville Daily Bulletin had to say.

During Michael Charlton's introduction to the opening night a panoramic scan of the Sydney skyline was replayed from Telecine. The tallest features on the skyline were the AWA and Radio Station 2UW's Radio Towers. A short video of the segment can be viewed by clicking the appropriate Player below.

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Behind the Scenes on Opening Night

Official appreciation for individuals contributions to Opening Night came from the General Manager, Charles Moses. (Click on images to enlage)

The tale of Opening Night is also covered in Doug Grant's book "Alright Leaving Here - 50 Years of ABC Technical Services"

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