Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - Page 9
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Confidential Melbourne
Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless
PASSING OF TONY CHARLTON
Bitch Melbourne’s Secrets
That’s a shame, Shane
● Shane Healy ■ Sometimes the folk at Melbourne radio station 3AW get a tad self-important, and give the impression they are the only industry in town ... and its only player. Radio station General Manager Shane Healy went on air to say one-in-five people in Melbourne were listeningto the Ross Stevenson-John Burns ‘breakfast’ program. No, they’re not. One-in-five radio listeners might tune in for a slice, but not everyone is listening to radio between 5.30am-8.30am. People now have many choices of media other than radio: breakfast TV, press, social media, iTunes, and other electronic sources. In fact, only 54 per cent of the population listen to a bit of radio at breakfast-time, according to latest Roy Morgan research. Healy, who is nicknamed ‘The Monsignor’ by staff at 3AW, would do well to heed the growing dissatisfaction of listeners to his own station. One group, which conducts a Facebook page and has hundreds of members, includes criticisms of 3AW policies. Listener ‘Bett’ spoke of programs which are now relayed interstate, such as the Australian Overnight program hosted by Andrew McLaren: “I am disgusted. As a listener I am not interested in hearing about local NSW stuff, as I am sure the NSW listeners don’t want to hear about Melbs. So, two lots of listeners only get half of what they are listening for and to.” Jerome: “John Blackman is OK, but he talks over people too much. I also think eventually Mark (Petkovic) will be leaving overnights as he has now qualified as a personal trainer. As Andrew says, nothing stays the same. Grrrrrr.” Julie: “I think there are going to be massive changes in 2013 and not good ones. Sadly I think Management sees us (loyal listeners) as creatures of habit and think (the) majority of us will continue to listen as our radios have been stick on 3AW. They think it will stay that way.”
■ Melbourne media pioneer Tony Charlton passed away on Monday, after battling bowel cancer. He was 83. Tony Charlton first made his name in Mebourne media in 1952, at radio station 3AW, when he was chosen to work alongside Norman Banks who had crossed from 3KZ. They presented the station’s first football broadcast, an EssendonRichmond clash, played under sub-standard lighting at the Melbourne Showgrounds. “There I was, frightened out of my wits, and not knowing the great Norman Banks had difficulties with his vision,” Charlton told reporter Ben Collins. “When the players came close to the commentary point, he did the commentary; when they disappeared into the gloom of the showgrounds, it being a trotting track, not the inside area where the game was played, he handed over to me. Death by a thousand cuts, I nearly died that night.” Charlton had a media pedigree. His father Conrad was one of the original broadcasters on ABC Radio, and his mother Hazel was a talented opera singer. His elder brother Michael was the first announcer on ABC-TV, and created the Four Corners TV program in 1961. Tony Charlton was born in Sydney, and educated at Scotch College in Perth. Tony Charlton went on to host The Kia-Ora Sports Parade and The London Stores Football Show on 3AW, produced by the John Clemenger Advertising organisation. Charlton was at the forefront of the Melbourne Olympic Games coverage in 1956, working for Channel 9. The new TV stations raced heavy cameras and production equipment from location to location, rushing to have them returned to their studios for later broadcasts in the day. Tony Charlton was headhunted in the late 1950s by Channel 7 to front its first televised coverage of football in Melbourne. “It was happening now and you either came up with the right words at
PGA Championship and the Victorian Open. Tony Charlton’s CV includes coverage of the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, as well as 20 years of the Caltex Sports Star of the Year series. From 1998 to 2008, Tony Charlton was MC of the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner, an event for the athletes. He has remained close to the Olympic movement, compering special anniversaries of the 1956 Games and other events for many years. Tony compered the opening of the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame by then-Prime Minister John Howard in1996, and the MCG Media Hall of Fame induction dinners from 1999 to 2006. Apart from his Alfred Hospital community work, Tony also assists the Victorian Olympic Council, the Australian Commemorative Plaques group, taking in the military involvements of Australians around the world. As well as the AFL Hall of Fame honour, Tony Charlton was awarded an OAM in 1990, and an AM in 2003. In 2008 he received the Order of Merit from the Australian Olympic Committee. On top of all these decorations, Tony Charlton was a top bloke. We will miss him. - Ash Long
● Tony Charlton. Photo: Ash Long the right time or you failed a heart transplant some 20 the test,” he told Ben years ago at The Alfred. Collins. He organises and hosts In 1960, the AFL (then charity events to raise VFL) pioneering days took money for the hospital. a jump when Channel 9 Tony Charlton’s sports made him an offer to call connections also extend to their football coverage, and tennis and golf. present a three-hour sports In 1951, he called the show, 48 weeks of the year. Davis Cup Challenge He recalls the horror of Round in Sydney, and in those years when the VFL 1953 he was perched atop were asking £2000 for TV a swaying scaffolding rights to broadcast the tower to cover the Davis games. Cup at Kooyong. Tony Charlton called From 1970 to 1983, he 12 VFL grand finals, and was promoter and Tournahis AFL ‘Hall of Fame’ ment Director of the Aushonour sits alongside simi tralian Open Golf, the lar distinctions from the Sports Australia and MCG Halls of Fame. His football media career is probably best remembered by his exclusive interview with sacked Melbourne coach Norm Smith in 1965. Smith was the reigning VFL premiership coach, but was sacked by a letter sent by courier to his Pascoe Vale home. The Tony Charlton Football Show presented ‘electric’ coverage of the ● Tony Charlton hosts an early version of crisis, including appearthe Today TV program ances by players Hassa Mann, Brian Kennealy and John Townsend. Smith was soon reinstated on the Tuesday. Tony Charlton has been working five days a week as an unpaid volunteer, for The Alfred Hospital, to which he feels he owes “a personal debt”, according to an interview he gave the AFL BigPond Network. This followed his daugh● The Observer’s Kevin Trask with ter Cathy receiving Tony Charlton at ‘The Surviviors’ luncheon
E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au
Whispers
Can’t see his lips move
● Gerry Gee, Ron Blaskett ■ Our front-page photo-story shows Gerry Gee and Ron Blaskett are to make their final public appearance today (Wed.) at a Probus Club meeting at the Knox Club. The whisper is that a number of Ron’s Channel 9 workmates intended to go along to salute his showbiz career, but have been told it is a private club function. Gerry Gee isn’t talking, but is said to be furious. Perhaps Ron might be coaxed to do a ‘Melba’ and do an ‘extra’ finale for his TV mates.
Fined ■ Rebecca SmithThompson of Mornington has been fined $800 at Dromana Court after her dog bit a woman on the back and leg.
To close ■ There is speculation that Fairfield’s landmark Grandview Hotel will close permanently because it has been refused permission by Darebin Council to install 50 poker machines. Owner El Fakhri will take the proposal to VCAT.
Banned ■ Billy King, of Mildura, has been banned from driving for three years after being caught motoring dangerously at Boort. He has previously served two jail terms for placing people at risk.