Australian Walkabout (radio program): Difference between revisions
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'''''Australian Walkabout''''' was broadcast by the [[Australian Broadcasting Commission]] for three years beginning in 1947 on 'Interstate' stations [[Radio National|2FC]] and [[Radio National|2NA]]. |
'''''Australian Walkabout''''' was broadcast by the [[Australian Broadcasting Commission]] for three years beginning in 1947 on 'Interstate' stations [[Radio National|2FC]] and [[Radio National|2NA]]. |
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The Broadcasting Commission magazine and radio schedule ''ABC Weekly'' announced its debut in an article 'Recording History' by the editor in the 16 August 1947; <blockquote>"Actuality broadcasts during the war years developed a new technique in radio. Many vivid first-hand descriptions of the battle front in both Europe and the Pacific are remembered. These broadcasts of the fighting forces were supplemented by actuality broadcasts of the home front. We heard descriptions of their work by men and women at their benches; from shipyards, aircraft factories, and food-processing plants. This technique, in an improved form, is now being followed in the A.B.C. series "Australian Walkabout.” Instead of presentation being confined to a city studio, broadcasting equipment is taken to the country, where first-hand interviews are obtained and local history recorded. It is a matter for regret that much of the story of the early days of Australia died with the passing of the pioneers. "Australian Walkabout’’ is designed to record the past history as well as the present. In the identical setting in which events took place, scenes are re- enacted with fidelity to detail. One week we journey over the air to Geraldton; the following week we are in Hobart or Townsville, or Wagga. City dwellers thus come to know districts which to many have only been a place on the map; country people are taken by radio into the cities. All this should bring about a better understanding between the widely separated people of Australia, and a better appreciation of each other’s problems."<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 1947 |title=Recording History |pages=2 |work=ABC Weekly |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1351683883 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref></blockquote>The program used [[Wire recording|wire recorders]] to capture sections of real life and its "authoritative" documentaries were recorded all over Australia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=David |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/dream-and-disillusion-a-search-for-australian-cultural-identity/oclc/782001803 |title=Dream and disillusion: a search for Australian cultural identity |date=1986 |publisher=A.N.U.P. |location=Canberra |pages=257 |language=English |oclc=782001803}}</ref> Among them were some created by the journalist [[Colin Simpson (journalist and author)|Colin Simpson]], which he taped in [[Arnhem Land]] and the [[Tiwi Islands]], recording "Aboriginal rituals and songs never before heard on Australian radio... along with Australian birdlife."<ref>Virginia Madsen, [https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/9579753 Radio Documentary], austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 24 March 2022.</ref> For "Death Rite for Mabalung," broadcast on the interstate network on 15 March 1949, Simpson recorded a mourning ceremony at [[Belyuen Shire|Delissaville]], in the [[Northern Territory]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 March 1949 |title=Aboriginal Death Rites In Unique Radio Walkabout |pages=14 |work=ABC Weekly |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1299451153 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref> |
The Broadcasting Commission magazine and radio schedule ''ABC Weekly'' announced its debut in an article 'Recording History' by the editor in the 16 August 1947; <blockquote>"Actuality broadcasts during the war years developed a new technique in radio. Many vivid first-hand descriptions of the battle front in both Europe and the Pacific are remembered. These broadcasts of the fighting forces were supplemented by actuality broadcasts of the home front. We heard descriptions of their work by men and women at their benches; from shipyards, aircraft factories, and food-processing plants. This technique, in an improved form, is now being followed in the A.B.C. series "Australian Walkabout.” Instead of presentation being confined to a city studio, broadcasting equipment is taken to the country, where first-hand interviews are obtained and local history recorded. It is a matter for regret that much of the story of the early days of Australia died with the passing of the pioneers. "Australian Walkabout’’ is designed to record the past history as well as the present. In the identical setting in which events took place, scenes are re- enacted with fidelity to detail. One week we journey over the air to Geraldton; the following week we are in Hobart or Townsville, or Wagga. City dwellers thus come to know districts which to many have only been a place on the map; country people are taken by radio into the cities. All this should bring about a better understanding between the widely separated people of Australia, and a better appreciation of each other’s problems."<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 1947 |title=Recording History |pages=2 |work=ABC Weekly |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1351683883 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref></blockquote>The program used [[Wire recording|wire recorders]] to capture sections of real life and its "authoritative" documentaries were recorded all over Australia.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Walker |first=David |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/dream-and-disillusion-a-search-for-australian-cultural-identity/oclc/782001803 |title=Dream and disillusion: a search for Australian cultural identity |date=1986 |publisher=A.N.U.P. |location=Canberra |pages=257 |language=English |oclc=782001803}}</ref> Among them were some created by the journalist [[Colin Simpson (journalist and author)|Colin Simpson]], which he taped in [[Arnhem Land]] and the [[Tiwi Islands]], recording "Aboriginal rituals and songs never before heard on Australian radio... along with Australian birdlife."<ref>Virginia Madsen, [https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/9579753 Radio Documentary], austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 24 March 2022.</ref> For "Death Rite for Mabalung," broadcast on the interstate network on 15 March 1949, Simpson recorded a mourning ceremony at [[Belyuen Shire|Delissaville]], in the [[Northern Territory]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 March 1949 |title=Aboriginal Death Rites In Unique Radio Walkabout |pages=14 |work=ABC Weekly |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1299451153 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref> Contributors included [[Dymphna Cusack]] who wrote and presented ''[[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]] : Blood on Coal.'' |
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== Episodes == |
== Episodes == |
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A sample of the broadcast subjects include; |
A sample of the broadcast subjects include; |
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* 1947, 21 August, 9:15 pm: [[Lismore, New South Wales|''Lismore'']], pres. Colin Simpson<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 August 1947 |title=Recording History |pages=28 |work=ABC Weekly |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1351683883 |access-date=18 June 2022}}</ref> |
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* 1947, 30 August 9:15 pm: Newcastle Blood on Coal, pres. [[Dymphna Cusack]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 August 1947 |title=Thursday September 4 : 2FC - 2NA |volume=9 |pages=15 |work=ABC weekly |issue=35}}</ref> |
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* 1947, 21 August, 9:15 pm: [[Lismore, New South Wales|''Lismore'']], pres. Colin Simpson |
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* |
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== Response == |
== Response == |
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Revision as of 07:19, 18 June 2022
Australian Walkabout was broadcast by the Australian Broadcasting Commission for three years beginning in 1947 on 'Interstate' stations 2FC and 2NA.
The Broadcasting Commission magazine and radio schedule ABC Weekly announced its debut in an article 'Recording History' by the editor in the 16 August 1947;
"Actuality broadcasts during the war years developed a new technique in radio. Many vivid first-hand descriptions of the battle front in both Europe and the Pacific are remembered. These broadcasts of the fighting forces were supplemented by actuality broadcasts of the home front. We heard descriptions of their work by men and women at their benches; from shipyards, aircraft factories, and food-processing plants. This technique, in an improved form, is now being followed in the A.B.C. series "Australian Walkabout.” Instead of presentation being confined to a city studio, broadcasting equipment is taken to the country, where first-hand interviews are obtained and local history recorded. It is a matter for regret that much of the story of the early days of Australia died with the passing of the pioneers. "Australian Walkabout’’ is designed to record the past history as well as the present. In the identical setting in which events took place, scenes are re- enacted with fidelity to detail. One week we journey over the air to Geraldton; the following week we are in Hobart or Townsville, or Wagga. City dwellers thus come to know districts which to many have only been a place on the map; country people are taken by radio into the cities. All this should bring about a better understanding between the widely separated people of Australia, and a better appreciation of each other’s problems."[1]
The program used wire recorders to capture sections of real life and its "authoritative" documentaries were recorded all over Australia.[2] Among them were some created by the journalist Colin Simpson, which he taped in Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands, recording "Aboriginal rituals and songs never before heard on Australian radio... along with Australian birdlife."[3] For "Death Rite for Mabalung," broadcast on the interstate network on 15 March 1949, Simpson recorded a mourning ceremony at Delissaville, in the Northern Territory.[4] Contributors included Dymphna Cusack who wrote and presented Newcastle : Blood on Coal.
Episodes
A sample of the broadcast subjects include;
- 1947, 21 August, 9:15 pm: Lismore, pres. Colin Simpson[5]
- 1947, 30 August 9:15 pm: Newcastle Blood on Coal, pres. Dymphna Cusack[6]
Response
Australian Walkabout was frequently the subject of letters in the ABC Weekly, some remarking on the educational value of the program. The ABC responded in 1948 by bring the broadcast forward an hour to 8pm so that children could listen.[7]
References
- ^ "Recording History". ABC Weekly. 16 August 1947. p. 2. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ Walker, David (1986). Dream and disillusion: a search for Australian cultural identity. Canberra: A.N.U.P. p. 257. OCLC 782001803.
- ^ Virginia Madsen, Radio Documentary, austlit.edu.au. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ "Aboriginal Death Rites In Unique Radio Walkabout". ABC Weekly. 12 March 1949. p. 14. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ "Recording History". ABC Weekly. 16 August 1947. p. 28. Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ "Thursday September 4 : 2FC - 2NA". ABC weekly. Vol. 9, no. 35. 30 August 1947. p. 15.
- ^ Belford, D.C. (13 March 1948). "Letters to the Editor : Australian Walkabout". ABC Weekly. p. 28. Retrieved 18 June 2022.