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N a simple phrase, the long-awaited Ripponlea Closure function “The Dream

Factory Revisited” celebrating 60 years of wonderful television was an unqualified success.

Well over 400 former Ripponlea staff attended the event

on Friday, 13th October, several from interstate,

followed by a further 100-plus family and friends on the

Saturday afternoon.

Apart from the wonderful socialising opportunity

and the catching up with old work colleagues, the

highlight was the sound and light display in Studio 31.

The photo on page 3 doesn’t do justice but provides a

glimpse of the all-enveloping laser presentation.

On arrival, a corridor of coloured chaser lights led us

to Studio 32 which was full of nostalgic displays of

equipment and memorabilia from days gone by—the old

camera crane, a microphone boom, wardrobe displays,

and an Emitron camera, now one of only three remaining

in the entire world.

The bar ran smoothly to offer a variety of appropriate

liquid refreshment and the two food trucks in the old OB

courtyard provided plenty to eat. The night just went too

quickly as old friends met, and although the event was

scheduled to end at eleven, many were reluctant to leave

even by midnight. Truly a happy-sad night.

There are so many people to thank for the function

it’s hard to know where to start, but Johnnie Walker was

responsible for the initial conception. He and many

others had a massive input to event. Without singling out

each individual’s achievements they include Carol

Simpson-Bull, Rick Hunter, June Williams, Mike

Bramley, Stephen Murray, Denise Potter, Kate Jarvis,

Rob Pemberton, Trevor Ling, Jayne Russell, Lyn

Peucker, the John Fish installation team, and the entire

Committee of the Reunion Club.

The Annual BBQ

PERFECT weather—a sunny 27 degrees with a slight

breeze—was an ideal setting for our annual BBQ at

Linton and Tiffany Bryant’s attractive property at View-

bank in November. More than 40 members attended.

As usual, a six-piece jazz band provided the

entertainment and everyone had a great time. The

sizzling sausages and shasliks were well prepared by our

hot-plate operators and there were plenty of various

salads and other accompaniments. Helen Hiscock’s

delightful slices made for delicious desserts.

Most guests departed around five o-clock but a few

diehards stayed on to finish the left-over food as an

evening meal before finally leaving at around nine.

The Annual Christmas Luncheon

ALTHOUGH 128 Members booked for the RACV

Christmas Luncheon, a few were unable to attend due to

illness and other reasons. Nevertheless, it was a great

turnout, some coming from interstate.

After the best part of an hour of socialising in the

foyer with drinks and canapes, Chairman Johnnie

Walker opened the function by welcoming everyone,

mentioning a few names of Members deserving special

praise for their various efforts during the year and also

the new members who were attending for the first time.

The main course was then served—alternatively

tender roast pork or turkey breast all attractively

accompanied with vegetables.

After the sale of raffle tickets by Committee Mem-

bers, the always-popular raffle was drawn. The first

prize of one night’s accommodation at the RACV in the

city with full breakfast was won by Angela and Arie

Schellaars, while second prize of Concert tickets valued

at $298 were won by Helen and Allan Hiscock.

Other prizes included Christmas cakes, two hampers,

dining vouchers from Kotaraya restaurant, Caulfield

Glashouse and the Wheelers Hill Hotel, bottles of

vintage port, and several other well received items.

Desserts consisted of a delicious brandy-snap with

fruit which was followed by tea and coffee accompanied

by fruit mince tarts.

Although the function was supposed to finish at 3.00,

there were still a few lingering on for a final drink or

chat at 4.00. We heard of no complaints and we’re sure

that everyone had a wonderful time.

The AGM in February at the Albert Park Yachting &

Angling Club should prove to be just as enjoyable so

don’t forget to book.

I

Australian Broadcasting Corporation Reunion Club – Victoria – Inc.

JAN / FEB / MAR 2018 Volume 41 No 1

PATRON: Stephen Murray Manager TV Operations

New Members

WE have recruited no fewer than 28 new members to the club.

LAST issue we unwittingly ascribed Joan Patrick to

the wrong department; Joan was from Make-up, the

second person to have been appointed there.

We also welcome Mem Alexander, Peter and

Anne Sparnon, Peter Carnell and Jean Clarke, Leslie

and Peter Falkner-Rose, Julie Kruger, Renzo and Kim

Beltrame, Terry Mutch, Kate Maher, George and

Elizabeth Mavroyeni, Tony Stanyer, Bob and Julia Grieve, Mike Ridley, Merryn and Andrew Millikin,

Peter Redman, June Armstrong, Ken and Suzanna

Greenhill, Belinda Hawkins, Suzanne Nicols and

John Clift, Christine White, and Andre Switzer.

COMING EVENTS

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

Wednesday 14th February

THIS year we will be at the newly renovated Albert Park Yachting & Angling Club, 129B Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park (opposite Kerford Rd.)

Champagne and soft drinks along with 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 and coffee will follow.

Car parking in the area is scarce and can be expensive. It’s best to catch the No 1 tram in Swanston Street (heading south) and alighting at the terminus. Walk towards the beach, turn left at Beaconsfield Parade, and it’s a five-minute walk.

COST: Members $45 (subsidised). Guests $55 (actual price)

HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.

Please refer to “Notice of Meeting” which includes a Nomination Form. There will be vacancies on the Committee if you wish to nominate. (You may nominate yourself.)

OTHER COMING EVENTS FOR 2018

Thursday 21 June

Puffing Billy Dining Car for an event known as “the Steam and Cuisine Luncheon Natter Platter”.

Sunday 22 July

Mid-Year Sea Food Buffet Luncheon at the RACV.

Friday 7 December

Annual Christmas Luncheon at the RACV.

Watch out for the date of other possible events.

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NAGAMBIE WINERY VISIT (NWV)

Thursday 19th April

WE have arranged a coach trip to visit wineries in the Nagambie area with lunch at the Royal Mail Hotel in Nagambie.

Our coach leaves Caulfield Railway station (north side) at 8.00am sharp and from the Glen Waverley RSL in Coleman Parade (opposite the station) at 8.45am sharp. Note: all-day parking in this area is only available quite some distance away so allow time.

We have morning tea (at your own expense) plus a wine tasting (at $5 per head) at Fowles Winery in Avenel. Then a short drive to Mitchelton’s for another wine tasting ($5 a head). The $5’s are deducted if you buy wine.

Lunch will be at the Royal Mail Hotel which offers $10 Seniors’ meals. We will have time for one more wine tasting (free) at Chateau Tahbilk where we will be able to visit their historic underground cellar.

We should arrive back at Glen Waverley by 5.45pm and Caulfield by 6.30.

COST: Members $55 (subsidised).

Guests $65

HOW TO BOOK: Please see page 4.

Committee Members in Studio 32: L to R: David Rolfe, Tiffany Bryant, John Backman, Lynn Innes-Irons, Ken and Carol Simpson-Bull, Johnnie Walker, Barbie Mathiesen, and Helen and Allen Hiscock.

FOLLOWING the announcement of John Friend’s

passing we present this condensed version of a resumé

of his varied career which he sent us some years ago.

John arrived in Australia from Hungary in 1949 with his

wife Eva. They had one suitcase and were unable to speak

English. Because of his knowledge of photography, he

got work with Kodak, then with the Argus where he

modernised their ancient photocopying equipment.

In 1956 John joined the ABC, first working in

Telerecord where he managed to solve some difficult

film processing problems. He then became a cameraman

in Studio 33, and later on OBs often working from high

towers without any safety harness.

John finally became a Technical Producer and

Lighting director, working on many iconic shows. On his

retirement he and his wife Eva became active members

of the Reunion Club and John seriously resumed his

photographic hobby. We will miss him.

Visit the Reunion Club On-line

RICK HUNTER, who runs the ABV2 website, has

recently put some interesting items on-line.

For instance, there is a great video of the Ripponlea

Closure Function produced by Graham Fettling and

Gerry McKechnie plus 150 still photos of the event taken

by Ivan Gaal.

There are another two videos produced by Graham

and Gerry: The 2014 Annual Xmas Party (with Molly

Meldrum) and the 50th Anniversary Ball. If you haven’t

seen them before, there are also hundreds of ABC related

photos as well as a large number of audio recordings.

Simply Google “ABC Reunion Club” and follow the

links on the left-hand side of the Club’s home page and

the ABV2 home page. The current (and past) Newsletters

are also available for viewing or downloading.

OUR

YESTERDAYS

3

“The Dream Factory Revisited” featured a wonderful Sound and Light display in Studio 31. Photo: Ivan Gaal

Bereavement

WE sadly report the passing of John Friend, former

Studio Supervisor and Lighting director, who passed

away last October. (You can read of some of John’s

achievements opposite on this page.)

Sadly, Frank Westaway also passed away in

October. Frank, a former city cinema projectionist,

first joined ABC Radio in the late 1950s before

moving to Television where he became best known in

Master Control. He later left to join the Village

Cinemas Management team. He regularly attended

Reunion Club functions and, over the years, donated

many cinema tickets for our raffles.

In November we lost Alan Ireson at age 87. Alan

joined ABC Radio around 1950 as a Technical

Operator and later became a Training Officer. He

retired in 1995. At Southbank, level 4 Terrace was

named for Alan.

In December we lost Bill Passick, former long-

time announcer at Broadcast House and Radio

Australia and member of the Reunion Club.

All will be sadly missed.

Tours of Southbank Studios

NOW that Ripponlea has closed, as you would

know the new very modern TV studios are now

located at Southbank along with the Radio studios.

We have organised group tours of the whole of the

Southbank Studio Complex on the following dates:

Wednesday 21st February from 11.00am – 1.00pm

Wednesday 7th March from 11.00am – 1.00pm

Wednesday 21st March from 11.00am – 1.00pm

To book: please ring Carol on 9561 4124

THE COMMITTEE Chairman: Johnnie Walker

mobile 0418 323 051

Vice Chairman: John Backman Secretary: Carol Simpson-Bull 9561 4124

or mobile 0403 393 746

Assistant Secretary: Helen Hiscock 9758 7205

Treasurer: Barbara Mathiesen mobile 0413 892 877

Assistant Treasurer: David Rolfe Newsletter Editor: Ken Simpson-Bull

Auditor: Tiffany Bryant General Committee:

Allan Hiscock, Syah Goldrich, Jo Maxian, Lyn Innes-Irons

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.

We do not automatically confirm payment but we have not had related problems.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Write, telephone the appropriate Committee Member, or email: abcreunionclub@outlook.com

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.

4

We need Raffle Prizes IF you have a favourite Restaurant, we

would really appreciate it if you could

ask them to donate a Dining Voucher

as a raffle prize for our AGM. Other

appropriate donations would be

gratefully accepted. Proceeds from our

raffles help us to subsidise some

functions so everyone can benefit.

Ring Carol on 9561 4124.

Annual Subscription Due! (Code SUB)

IMPORTANT! Your membership fee for 2018 was due at

the end of December 2017. If you forgot to pay please

forward your subscription ASAP. If you are attending the

AGM you may pay then. Fees are $20 (single) or $25

(double). Please refer below for the method of payment.

Members who joined after 1st August 2017 do not have to

pay again for 2018.

Just consider, if you attend just one of our few subsidised

functions you could effectively get most of your membership

fee refunded!

Wanted Jim Oastler would still like to borrow a Betacam Unit to copy

some Betacam tapes to DVD. If you can help, contact him at:

jao1938@westnet.com.au (unfortunately we gave the wrong

email address last issue!)

Closure Posters

The Club has a number of

attractive glossy posters

for sale celebrating the

Ripponlea Closure Func-

tion. At $10 they will be

available at the AGM or

you can contact us to have

one posted or for pick-up.