Remember This? Sunday Afternoon Football (2005)

I recently came across this feature from The Daily Telegraph that was published in its Monday sport section Final Score on July 25, 2005. In the middle of the liftout (and the newspaper itself) is a two-page photo spread and article on the AFL and NRL fixtures played the previous day, which attracted large crowds

The main photo is from the Round 20 NRL match between Wests Tigers and South Sydney that was played at Leichhardt oval. The photo features the hill at full capacity with the match proceeding under shade in the foreground. A ground record was set that day - 22,877, which still remains in 2025. Wests Tigers won 42-20 and would go on to become the NRL premiers that year

Source: Hooper, J. 2005. "Sydney's day in the sun". The Daily Telegraph, July 24: 36-37. 

On the top right is a photo of Sydney Swans fans cheering their team onto victory against the West Coast Eagles at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Round 17 of the AFL Premiership. Sydney won (13.10 ) 88 to West Coast (9.13) 67. Just over 37,000 were in attendance, and for the West Coast Eagles, it was just their second loss of the 2005 AFL Season. 

The Sydney Swans would also go on to become AFL Premiers in 2005, their first in Sydney and their first in 72 years since they were known as South Melbourne. Coincidentally, they defeated the West Coast Eagles in the 2005 Grand Final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. 

Below that photo, there are two photos from the St George Illawarra vs Cronulla NRL match at Kogarah Oval. Another "full house" with 17,000 attending the local derby and grudge match between the two southern suburbs sides. St George prevailed 16-10. 

On the left are two photos from the Wests Tigers vs South Sydney match. At top left are fans sitting on the roof of a home backing onto the stadium, and below a group of youngsters captured by a photographer in the crowd. 

Remember This? Sydney Street-Eaters City (1960)

The Sunday Mirror published a two-page feature and photospread in 1960 focusing on the lunch hour in central Sydney, which in its view was between noon and 1 pm.

A reporter (name unknown) spent the week observing the habits of city workers during the daily lunch hour. They try to claim that Sydneysiders ate on the pavements more than anywhere else in the world, even though al-fresco dining was yet to appear on the scene in Sydney. 

It even went down as far as what people preferred to eat and the task of finding something suitable for lunch.

 

Source: Anon. 1960. "Sydney Street-Eaters City". The Sunday Mirror,  April 24: 18 & 31.

Remember This? Easter Show street parade (1963)

As part of the Royal Easter Show, there used to be a street parade to promote the event. Some of the exhibits and animals featured in the show would be showcased to the public.

Below is a feature and photo from 1963.

Source: Anon. 1963. "Something you don't see every day". The Daily Telegraph, April 5: 3.   

VISIONS OF SYDNEY: Welcome to Sydney sign (2001)

This is the last entry in our current series. Balmain Artist Michael Snape created a sign in 1999 using a 30-metre prototype electricity cable carrier imported from Germany which the word "Sydney" running down its sign. South Sydney Council rejected a proposal to erect it at Sydney Park in St Peters, but Campbelltown Council voted to investigate buying and erecting the sign on a hill near the Mt Annan Botanic Garden. 

It was never built and represents a lost opportunity to have an artwork or structure to greet those driving into Sydney from the Hume Motorway. Do you think it should have been built?

Source: Skelsey, M. "Towering icon will show the way to Sydney". The Daily Telegraph, March 27:11.

Remember This? Crowded House Concert at the Sydney Opera House (1996)

Full citation below.

Remember This? is back for a short three-week mid-year series. 

This year marks the Golden Jubilee of the Sydney Opera House as it celebrates fifty years since opening, and I thought I'd select one highlight from its fifty-year history. 

The biggest event at the Opera House occurred in its forecourt on 24 November1996 when 150 000 people attended the last-ever concert by Crowded House, literally making it a crowded house. The concert was televised on television and raised $1 million for Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick.

Thousands were turned away, and the final figure, I believe, includes those who failed to land a spot on the forecourt and were forced to watch (or listen) from nearby foreshore areas.

The concert began at 8pm, lasted around two and a half hours and concluded with a fireworks display on Sydney Harbour. The final piece played was Don't Dream It's Over, which is still played widely on the radio to this day and even used in a New Zealand tourism commercial in the 2000s

Crowded House reunited for a one-off concert at the same venue in 2016 to mark the twentieth anniversary of that concert, performing to a crowd a fraction of the size. 

Such a crowd will never be matched due to safety restrictions that restrict the capacity of any major concert or event held in the Sydney Opera Forecourt.

Finally, it would rate as one of the most highly attended concerts in Australia but falls short of the 200 000 that attended the 1967 concert by The Seekers at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne. 

Source: Rumble, T. & Hilferty, T. 1996. "It's a full House". The Daily Telegraph, November 25: 3.

1988: The Sydney Football Stadium is offically opened

It has been hoped that the rebuilt Sydney Football Stadium will open its doors to the sporting public during this year.

Our first regular entry for 2022 goes back to the previous Sydney Football Stadium and its first event, held on January 24, 1988. This was the same week that the nation held its Bicentennial celebrations. It was not a sporting event, but a concert headlined by American singer John Denver. The stadium was officially opened by NSW Premier Barrie Unsworth as part of the festivities. 

Tickets ranged from $15 to $25 dollars. 17 000 attended the concert which also included Air Supply, Eurogliders, Dragon and Sharon O'Neill backed by Tommy Tycho and The Sydney International Orchestra. This was down from the projected 30 000 that were expected to.

There was also criticism of the sound system along with an echo that could be heard by attendees.

John Denver also presented a special song that he wrote to mark the Bicentennary but also one for his girlfriend - Cassie Delaney who was also Australian. 

Source: Cameron, M. 1988. "'This is for you, my Aussie girl'". The Daily Mirror, January 25: page unknown.

The first sporting event was on March 4 1988, when Eastern Suburbs played St George in the first game of the 1988 NSWRL season. Click Here to view an entry that I wrote in 2015. 

1971: Art on Construction Hoardings

In recent times, hoardings on city streets at construction sites feature historical images of central Sydney which have been provided by Sydney City Council. It has given pedestrians something of interest to look at as they walk past, learning about the city's past and how it looked at different points in history.

Fifty years ago, it was not photos that were on hoardings, but rather artworks as this article below shows. 

Source: Ford, R. 1971. "Gay hoardings brighten the scene". The Sun Herald, March 21: 13. 

1989: Museum of Contemporary Art Plans Unveiled

This year is 30 years since the Museum of Contemporary Art opened its doors to Sydney art lovers. It was interesting to find articles relating to the announcement that Sydney was to get one.

The NSW State Government had vacated the Maritime Services Board (MSB) Building at West Circular Quay. In 1989 it leased the building to Sydney University for just $10 a week, allowing the museum to be created.

Source: Clifton, B. 1989. "Modern Art's Harbor Home". The Daily Mirror, March 22: 39.

Source: Grimshaw, P. 1989. "$100m gift for art". The Daily Telegraph, March 17: 9. 

This fulfilled the vision of former NSW Premier Neville Wran who announced in 1984 that a Museum of Contemporary Art would occupy the building.

Source: Anon. 1984. "Art gallery for Quay". The Daily Telegraph, November 24: 20. 

Through the creation of the Powerhouse Museum, it enabled the university to display the collection of Dr. John Power who bequeathed the university with his collection including artworks.

In 2001, the NSW Government became the main stakeholder for the museum. In 2012, a new five storey wing was completed that increased the size of the museum by 50%. 

2000: Sydney: The Cheap Manhattan

When I was younger, I remember reading a reference to Sydneys as "little Manhattan" which I believed referred to our skyline. Sydney streets can also easily resemble streets in New York, especially Lower Manhattan where narrow streets bend, surrounded by tall buildings.

Two decades ago, Sydney was not just attracting Hollywood blockbusters, but also American advertisers. With the Australian Dollar averaging around $US 0.58 cents, American advertising agencies could stretch their dollar further.

Access to local actors and props meant any part of Sydney could be turned into an American city with great ease.

Below is an article as published in The Daily Telegraph in June 2000.

Source: Skelsey, M. 2000. "The Cheap Apple: Budget Sydney lures ad makers". The Daily Telegraph, June 13: 5. 

Even in recent years, Sydney has been featured in American commercials, even if they feature in just  split second shots. One commercial by Opdivo in 2016 featured Sydney in its entirety, though cars drove on the right hand side of the road.

New Years Eve 25 Years ago: 1994

Today is New Years Eve and this entry will look at how Sydney marked the arrival of 1995.

How Sydney celebrated New Years Eve in the 1990's was big compared to the decades before it, but would pale in comparison to today. It has become an annual custom when looking at entries from the 1990's to highlight the "big changes" that have occurred since.

But each year represents a step in the evolution of New Years Eve Celebrations in Sydney.

In previous entries, the key developments in the modern evolution of New Years Eve Celebrations in Sydney have occurred:

1989 - Introduction of a major New Years Eve spectacular on Sydney synchronized to a musical soundtrack, simulcast on radio.
1990 -  First launch of fireworks from the Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of the New Years Eve Fireworks (First major launch for any fireworks show was Australia Day, 1988 which was the Bicentenary of Australia. At the 75th Anniversary of the Royal Australian Navy in 1986, fireworks were released only from underneath the road deck). Alcohol Free Zones were introduced.
1993 - Reintroduction of midnight fireworks displays in Central Sydney at Darling Harbour and Sydney Tower.

New Years Eve fell on a Saturday in 1994 which gave people an excuse to go out that Saturday evening.

What was new for New Years Eve in 1994?

The Skyshow (9pm fireworks) was telecast for the first time on Channel Seven. It was a delayed broadcast from 11:55pm to 12:30am. It also screened in Brisbane at 12:15am local time. 2DAY FM played the soundtrack live as the fireworks exploded above. Those attending were encouraged to bring a portable radio with them.

As with previous years, the fireworks were released near the Opera House and from The Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Above: Enlargement of the fireworks locations in central Sydney as published in The Sydney Morning Herald on December 31, 1994.

A midnight display was provided at Darling Harbour and fireworks were released from Sydney Tower to welcome in 1995.

The Sun Herald (January 1, 1995) featured the Sydney Harbour Bridge exploding in fireworks on Page One.

The Sunday Telegraph (January 1, 1995) decided not to feature the fireworks from Sydney Harbour on Page One, opting for a photo of the midnight fireworks show at Darling Harbour.

Attendances according to reports in both newspapers put the estimated crowd attending festivities at one million. The previous year reported either 1.5 million or 350 000 depending on what newspaper you read (either The Daily Telegraph Mirror or The Sydney Morning Herald ). We can say that New Years Eve 1994 was the first to crack the one million mark for attendance.

The newspapers didn't report on anything extraordinary on the festivities. Police were happy with behaviour and there was the usual crack down on drunks with "some arrests".

Public transport was encouraged. There were no delays compared to the year before but extra services were provided as per usual on all modes. There were diversions and changes to routes to accomodate road closures and congestion. Below is a State Transit advertisement as published in The Daily Telegraph Mirror on December 31, 1994.

On reflection, it appeared that Sydney now had begun to establish a New Years Eve tradition of a mid evening fireworks show on Sydney Harbour and Midnight fireworks at Darling Harbour and Sydney Tower. The people of Sydney had warmed up to a major celebration of the arrival of the New Year. It also had attracted visitors from regional areas, around the nation and around the world.

As the 1990's continued, it would remain the same until the move to midnight celebrations in 1998.

Tune in next year for New Years Eve 1995.

I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

1997: Royal Easter Show Fireworks show (rare footage)

With the Easter Show now underway at Sydney Olympic Park, I recently came across a video on YouTube from Pyrostar International, which contained footage from the very last fireworks spectacular at Moore Park at the 1997 Royal Easter Show.



I do miss the old main arena at Moore Park. The Member's Stand was retained largely as part of the Fox Studios development (minus the seating area).

I have noticed from watching various fireworks shows over the years at Olympic Park that many elements have been retained but technology has allowed for the experience to be enhanced especially the use of lighting effects and that works well with the smoke that is emitted from the exploding shells.

Remember This? - Luna Park $6.50 Unlimited Rides pass (1986)

In May 1986, Luna Park offered a special $6.50 day pass for everyone to enjoy unlimited rides. It cost the equivalent of $17 in today's money.

According to the Luna Park Website, day passes in 2019 start from $23 if purchased online and is based on your height. Many children would be charged the full price of $51 (online) or $55 (purchased at the gate).

Source: John Singleton Advertising. 1986. "Luna Park Kids Prices for All: Only $6.50 each" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, May 10: 6. 

New Years Eve 25 Years ago: 1993

Tonight is Sydney's biggest night of the year. The city will present another spectacular midnight fireworks show which envies the world.

As an annual custom, I take a look back at how the city marked New Year's Eve 25 years ago.

Sydney's fireworks were yet to be an event envied by the world. It was more provincial.
Even the timing was provincial - 9pm. Midnight fireworks were still several years away.

1993 was the fifth straight year of the "skyshow", which was a 30-minute firework spectacular presented by Coca-Cola and 2DAY FM. It had grown quickly in popularity. Reports suggested at least 500 000 were planning to attend as in previous years. It would act as the opener to the 1994 Sydney Festival. Below is a preview from The Daily Telegraph Mirror on December 30, 1993. Syd Howard was given the task of organising the fireworks spectacular. 5000 shells and effects were to be released, just a fraction of what is predicted for 2018 ( 13 000 shells, 35 000 comets and 100 000 effects). By numbers, tonight's show is at least 20 times larger than in 1993 and it will be done in less than half the time (12 minutes).

The cost of this year's celebrations is reported to be $7 million, compared with one million dollars in 1993. Police warned those attending to be on their best behaviour. Alcohol-Free zones would keep partygoers and families safe.

Source: Gee. S. 1993. "Police in New Year Warning". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 31: 3. 

Below is an advertisement from the State Transit Authority promoting extra bus and ferry services to ferry commuters. For bus commuters, some services were diverted and/or terminated at alternative destinations. Cityrail ran extra services throughout the evening, but did not publish a newspaper advertisement.

Below is a map of road closures and vantage points for the Skyshow. Note that a midnight fireworks show occured at Darling Harbour and fireworks also were released from Sydney Tower. No mention in the press of either show.

Sourced from:
Taylor, N. 1993. "It's party time as Sydney farewells '93". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 31: 2.

Crowds were estimated in the city at around 1.5 million which would have made it the largest crowd for an event in the city since the Bicentenary celebrations in 1988. The Sydney Morning Herald reported a conservative figure of 350 000 in its January 1 edition. Articles from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph Mirror appear below.

While initial media reports generally reported little problems. In the days afterwards, the night did not flow smoothly as it may have been seen.

There was chaos on the transport network. For motorists, city streets and major thoroughfares into the city were clogged. It was reported that some had to watch the fireworks from car bonnets.  Rail services were delayed after midnight as Cityrail reported higher than usual absentee numbers. Circular Quay, Wynyard, Town Hall, and Kings Cross stations were temporarily closed due to large crowds, with people also removed from Milsons Point railway station to avoid a crowd crush.

Source: Willis, R. & Tuss, R. 1994: "New Year rail chaos". The Sun Herald, January 2: 7.

Source: Wilkins, M. 1994. "Missing trains strand revellers". The Sunday Telegraph, January 2: 2. 

Source: Olsen, S. 1994. "Our night of shame, pain: Chaos as 80 train crew go sick". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, January 3: 5. 

The Sunday Telegraph reported on January 2 (below) that city hospitals were inundated with people injured during the night's celebrations.

I do not anticipate problems this evening, as the event's management has improved over the years. Cars will virtually be banned from the Sydney CBD, and everyone will be expected to travel on public transport. Several stations, including Circular Quay and Milsons Point, will be closed this evening.

As for transport workers taking the night off - It's possible. I recall that last year, I saw a similar staffing problem with transport workers calling in "sick" en masse.

I wish you all a very safe and happy new year.

January 1 2019 - I was wrong about the night being smooth. Nature put on its own fireworks show early in the evening. Lighting strikes caused delays on the rail network which flowed into New Years Day, with buses replacing trains in parts of the city. Nine News reported that paramedics and hospitals were also stretched. 

To cap it off, organisers wished us a Happy 2018 from the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons. Apparently, it was Groundhog Day. 

Remember This? Australia Day 1988

On Friday, our nation will mark Australia Day. While it marks the 230th anniversary of the First Fleet landing in Sydney Harbour and the commencement of the colonisation of the Australian continent. It is also the day that Sydney and NSW were founded.

Above: Selected front pages from newspapers dated January 26 and 27, 1988. 

The National Australia Day Council (NADC) wants Australian's to use the day what it means to be Australian, celebrate our history and our nation.

For the past few decades, celebrations on Australia Day have grown bigger each year as (most) Australians have valued the importance of the day; even as some call for the day to be moved to respect indigenous peoples who associate January 26, 1788, as the beginning of an invasion of the continent and centuries of suffering.

But what acted as a catalyst for the growth of Australia Day?

I believe it was Australia Day 1988.

As Barrie Humphries points out in Barry Humphries Flashbacks, Australia Day before 1988 involved up "colonial dress ups and low key speeches". There would be flag raising and citizenship ceremonies as part of the day, though more low key than today e.g. Citizenship ceremonies held in the local Town Hall as opposed to the public venue hosting Australia Day celebrations. Australia Day was not a true national holiday, with many parts of the nation opting to mark the day on the Monday closest to January 26.

In 1988, celebrations took the biggest leap forward as the nation marked 200 years of modern settlement. Organisers, inspired by the celebrations in New York Harbour for the Bicentenary of American Independence on July 4, 1976 (and similar events a decade later for the 100th Anniversary of the Statue of Liberty), wanted celebrations on Sydney Harbour to be modeled on that of New York.

Highlights from the day included:

• A Ceremony to commemorate the founding of the colony of NSW at Customs House. This included the unveiling of a plaque along the Loftus Street side. The early morning event launched the days celebrations. 
• John Farnham named as the Australian of the Year at Kirribilli House. 
• The ships participating in the reenactment of the First Fleet entering the harbour and pulling anchor at Farm Cove.
• The Celebration of a Nation Ceremony held in the Opera House Forecourt attended by dignitaries and 4000 people. This included: Prince Charles, Princess Diana, Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen, Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and NSW Premier Barrie Unsworth.
• Flyovers of military aircraft from the Army, Navy and Air force.
• Parade of Tall Ships involving 200 ships from around the world.  
• A twenty-minute fireworks display to conclude the day's celebrations including an 88 gun salute from the HMAS Canberra.

It was reported that as many 2.5 million people attended events on Sydney Harbour that day including those on thousands on spectator boats. The amount of traffic on that harbour that day is unlikely to ever be emulated. British TV Presenter Michael Parkinson pointed out in 1999 that you could walk across the harbour that day as there were so many boats.

Given the amount of material available, I have created a gallery for you to view newspaper clippings related to the day.

I have located the material on Youtube that provides you with the day's highlights and more!!!

TVQ Eyewitness News - Brisbane (26/1/1988)

This is the only footage of news reports that I have located.



Australia's Day (ABC)

Uploaded by Michael Wayne to Youtube, this was a VHS produced by the ABC with the days highlights.



Celebration of Australia Day

The Seven Network were involved in the production of this video documenting the reenactment of the First Fleet along with highlights from Australia Day, 1988.

Australia Daze

A documentary focusing on how different Australians marked Australia Day, 1988. 

Australia Day Fireworks (Full show)

For the first time, fireworks were released from the arches of the bridge, setting a precedent for any future fireworks show to be held on Sydney Harbour.

Remember This? Australia's Wonderland Daypass Special (1986)

Last year, I shared a preview feature from 1985 of Australia's Wonderland at Eastern Creek as published in The Daily Telegraph.

This week, I share an advertisement from its first season of operation where a day pass was available for just $10.95.  It is equivalent to $27.95 in today's money according to the RBA Inflation Calculator. Good value even though you could only visit on a Saturday or Sunday.

Source: Australia's Wonderland. 1986. "Hurry! Only 2 Weekends To Go." (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, May 29: 12. 

1997: Big Screens for central Sydney

Times Square in New York is famous for its array of advertising billboards and big screens screening television broadcasts and animations.

In the 1990s, Sydney City Council explored the idea of permitting big screens to show advertising but also broadcast major events like the Olympic Games.

Source: Skelsey, M. 1997. "Hole lot of sense to video", The Daily Telegraph, December 26: 15. 

But I recall the idea was ditched because motorists would be "too distracted" by the activity. Interesting though. In Times Square, the traffic flows smoothly and chances are people if distracted might stop their cars altogether.

Above: The Yellow M&M is unhappy with the lack of attention given by motorists at 1600 Broadway, New York (Times Square). Drivers are doing the right thing keeping their eyes on the road!!!

I've seen footage from September 11 taken at Times Square and cars did stop for a few seconds for people to see the graphic footage that was shown on the ABC (America) big screen.

But really the main audience is the pedestrians and keep in mind, that no street corner was destined to become like Times Square with billboards on every square inch of space. It was merely going to be one screen at each location.

With the corner of George and Park Street, it was assumed that the site was going to remain undeveloped by the Olympic Games in 2000 (2 Park Street was in fact almost finished). Whether or not they were going to incorporate it into the structure. Who knows?

Had they become reality, they might have been short term with the intention of dismantling them after the Olympic games. It had been proposed in a December 1998 article in The Daily Telegraph, that it would be there for 2001. The screen would be 7.5 metres by 4.5 metres.

Downtown Sydney has tended to be a billboard free zone on city buildings. Even today, it is like that. In Sydney, they are restricted to the motorways, major highways and around Sydney Airport.

MILESTONE: ATN7 begins Transmission (1956)

This Friday (December 2), Channel Seven will celebrate 60 years of broadcasting in Sydney, under the callsign ATN7.

It was the third TV station to commence operations in Sydney following the opening of TCN9 in September 1956, and ABN2 (ABC) just a month before. The studios were located at Mobbs Lane, Epping, with the TV transmitter based at Gore Hill. ATN7 would remain at Epping until 2010 when they moved production facilities to the Australian Technology Park at Eveleigh. The original studios is now a housing estate. Several years before in 2004, its news department relocated to purpose-built studios at Martin Place. Local and national news bulletins and programs are produced there.

Source: Anon. 1956. Untitled (photograph). The Sun Herald, December 2:39. 

ATN7 was owned by Amalgamated Television Services comprising of a consortium of various radio, electrical and media interests including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun. It was a subsidiary of Fairfax. The channel would eventually become the flagship of the Seven Network, even though HSV7 in Melbourne was the first channel in the network to go to air in November 1956. ATN7 and HSV7 formed the Australian Television Network (Seven Network) in 1963. It would eventually be joined by BTQ7 (Brisbane), SAS7 (Adelaide) & TVW7 (Perth).

Fairfax would have ownership of ATN7 until 1987 when Quintex owned by Christopher Skase bought out the Seven Network. This was due to changes in Commonwealth media laws which stipulated that Fairfax could only own either print publications or television stations. Fairfax opted for print publications. Today, the Seven Network is currently part of Seven West Media, owned by Kerry Stokes.

Source: Anon. 1956. "Television Station ATN Channel 7 Opened by P. M. G.". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 3:1.  

The transmission on opening night (December 2 ) commenced at 7:30pm with the official opening of the channel by the Postmaster General - Mr. C. W. Davidson. This was followed by A Shower of Stars, which was a live studio program at 7:45pm. The first feature film - It's Folly To Be Wise screened at 9pm. A news bulletin at 10:30pm would close the first night's transmission, closing at 10:45pm.

Source: ATN7. 1956. Untitled (advertisement). The Sun Herald, December 2, 39. 

A special supplement was provided in the December 3 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald to mark its opening. Selected extracts feature below.

Initially, TV broadcasts on ATN7 commenced at 4:30pm with transmission closing at around 10:30pm. On weekends, broadcast times were shorter.

Early shows included:

• Your Home featuring Del Cartwright
• At Seven on 7 with Howard Craven
• This I Believe with Eric Baume
• Sydney Tonight with Keith Walshe
• Caltex Theatre (Sunday Evening)

Below is a feature on its mobile broadcast unit (Click to enlarge).

Over the past sixty years, ATN7 has contributed significantly to the success of the Seven Network and bred stars of the small and eventually for some the big screen. Writing its achievements would need to be an essay. It has also been noted for pioneering programming formats on Australian television. For instance, Sydney Tonight was the first "tonight" show in Australia. Where would Graham Kennedy, Bert Newton and Don Lane be if it were not for this? At Seven on 7 was also the first current affairs show in Australia. ATN7 has also been an innovator. They were first with videotape equipment at Epping in the 1950s but also working with GTV9 in Melbourne to broadcast programs between Sydney and Melbourne with microwave links.

Seven Network Headquarters at Pyrmont. Photo was taken by the Author (2011).

1998: How Sydney Tower got its signage

Above: Signage atop Sydney Tower. Photo was taken by the Author (2012). 

AMP was one of the official sponsors of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. As part of the Olympic Games, AMP wanted to erect its logo along with an Olympic Sign.

 

Source: Skelsey, M. 1996. "The people say no to a giant sign in the sky". The Daily Telegraph, November 20:15.

This was not popular with some Sydneysiders given the iconic nature of the building. In 1998, the AMP signage went up. However, AMP went for Olympic Artworks designed by Dominique Sutton. I remember this well from the TV news reports at the time. I recall swimmer Ian Thorpe and Seven Nightly News Sports Presenter (and former Olympian) Neil Brooks standing at the top of the tower alongside the sculptures.

 

Source: Anon. 1998. "Games art reaches new heights". The Daily Telegraph, July 27:9.

The sculptures remained atop the tower until 2003 when they were relocated to Sydney Olympic Park. In the early 2000's Westfield purchased Centrepoint from AMP and this included Sydney Tower itself. In 2011, Westfield was given the approval to erect its logo in place of AMP atop the tower.

 

MILESTONE: TCN9 - Australia's first television channel (TCN9)

This week, television in Australia will turn 60 and this entry will focus on the channel which began it all - TCN9, which is part of the Nine Network.

In 1955, Television Corporation (owned by Sir Frank Packer) was one of two consortiums that were successfully awarded television licenses for Sydney. The other licencee Almagated Television Services would form ATN7 which began broadcasting in December 1956. The Packer family would own TCN9 until 2006 when as part of the Nine Network, it was sold to private equity firm CVC Asia.

After test transmissions from July 1956, TCN9 commenced regular programming on September 16, 1956. The first show "Welcome to Television" screened at 7pm and was hosted by Bruce Gyngell who uttered the lines "Good evening ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to television." It is believed that only 2000 homes had a television set at the time. Thousands, however, had to watch proceedings through shop windows that had TV Sets on display.

Reception stretched as far north as Newcastle and Cessnock, south to Wollongong and west to Katoomba. These days you would need a booster aerial in Newcastle to receive Sydney television stations.

During this early period, TV Broadcasts were generally in the evening. On opening night, transmission closed at around 9:15 pm. Here is a clipping from Page 8 of The Sunday Telegraph on September 16, 1956.

Below are some clippings from The Daily Telegraph dating to September 17 and 18 1956 which was also owned by Sir Frank Packer and took advantage to show off his new toy.