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This
month we continue our memoir/saga on John's early days in Television. If
you missed last month's episode,
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Episode 2
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HSV7 in 1959 (arrow shows
Mr Fishers office)
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I leave
school
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| Dec. 1959, I left school after just
passing Intermediate. I was not a good student, I was too busy with my
other study agenda. |
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| I had no idea what I would do for
a job, but I dreamt of working in a radio station or the wildest dream
a Tv station. One day while pouring over the job adds there was an add
in the Sun newspaper. HSV Channel 7, Melbourne was advertising for cadets,
to train and work in television. We sent off an application, but after
a week or so no reply. So mum rang Mr Fisher, God knows what she
said to him, but I was to have an interview next week. The following day
we did get a mail reply from HSV 7, to say I was not excepted. But clever
Mum had got me an interview. |
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The
Interview
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| Mum and Dad drove me to Melbourne,
to the Channel 7 studios in South Melbourne. After a nervous wait I finally
met Mr Fisher. He talked to me for more than ½ an hour, then sent
me off to a new office area, to complete an exam. I was not shown around
the studios, but I felt at home there, I liked the smell of the excitement.
We returned home to Leongatha for the long wait of acceptance or refusal.
Finally the call came I was to start work on Tuesday February 2, 1960.
The wait was terrible. |
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To Melbourne
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| Finally I moved to Melbourne and
stayed with my Godfather Colin Campbell and his wife Nancy in Oakleigh,
while I found accommodation. My starting salary was £5.13.06 ($11.35)
per
week, after tax, hardly enough to find salubrious accommodation. Mr. Fisher
suggested I try the YMCA on the corner of City Road and Sturt Street, about
20 minutes walk from the studios. A shared room with public bathroom, cost
£3.13.06 per week, including breakfast. So I had $4.00 a week left
to pay for my food and other expenses. I was to work in the audio department
and train to be an audio operator. |
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The
First Day
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| Tues. Feb 2, 1960, I arrived at the
studios at 9 am. I was introduced to staff chief Graham Foster, who took
me to studio 2 where they were presenting "Cooking with Gas" with Jean
Ford. Jean was a well know Herald food journalist. I was introduced to
audio operator, Lyle Hughes and boom operator, John Brennan. I was told
to stay by the boom, not speak, not make any noise and just watch. It was
fascinating, I couldn't believe it. |
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YMCA
Melbourne
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| Arrow shows my room on the 3rd floor.
I lived there for 2 years. In the foreground the Trocadero Ball Room and
Wirth's permanent circus. Now the site of the Victorian arts centre. The
YMCA was demolished a few years ago. |
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The cooking set in studio
2
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