TVW7 celebrates 50 years in Perth

Channel Seven Perth will celebrate 50 years on air this week -the first to air in the west.

It was October 16, 1959, when it sprang to life, before the ABC in 1960, Nine in 1965, SBS in 1986 and TEN in 1988.

To commemorate the occasion a two-hour documentary hosted by news presenter Yvette Mooney and Weekend Sunrise sports presenter Simon Reeve will air at 8:30 on Friday night.

Reeve started at Seven in Perth in 1979 and is the longest employed person still on air.

Producer Sadie Purser describes the station as part of the Perth community.

“There will also be little flash-backs of news segments which are relevant to Perth and people who have worked at Seven,” she said.

“There is focus on the first news editor, Darcy Farrell, who built up the newsroom and Brian Treasure and Sir James who were the key players in the development of Seven to what it is today.”

Rolf Harris, Rick Ardon, John Worsfold and Johnny Young will also feature.

Meanwhile, a TVW Reunion in the orm of an Open Day will take place next Sunday in Dianella, with entertainment from Johnny Young and the Strangers, the Stargate Actors Academy and Perth opera singers, Justin and Katherine Friend. The event is for anyone who has worked for TVW or 6IX whether they worked on a contract, part-time, casual or full-time basis. Today is the last day to register your interest in attending at tvwreunion.com.

The Australian Museum of Motion Picture Technology’s exhibition commemorates 50 years of WA TV at the Fremantle Arts Centre building in Finnerty St. The free exhibition is open seven days a week until Friday, December 4.

Source: news.com.au