The date was October 16, 1959 when television first arrived in Western Australia.
The first night was a Friday, considered the best time for families to gather around and switch to the new electronic era for a fee of 5 pound per licence, 10 pounds insurance and 30 bob a week to a local retailer for a 190 quid AWA Deep Image Radiola. Before TV, news came from Newspapers, suddenly we had to have a TV chair and we could then buy a TV cup, saucer and snackplate in one, so began TV dinners.
After Seven Perth was officially opened by the Governor of Western Australia, Sir Charles Gairdner at 7.30pm, Perth people settled back to watch Leave It To Beaver, Sea Hunt, Father Knows Best, Spotlight (a local variety show) Gunsmoke, Perry Mason, The Epilogue, and finally, the little white dot as it faded into oblivion.
Fifty year old Errol Flynn had just died (laughing, according to the report) while his 17 year old "blonde protégé" looked on. Since that night a lot of water has flowed under the bridge. Sea Hunt's Lloyd Bridges has hung up his swimming trunks, gone to Hollywood heaven and the spotlight has moved to his movie actor sons, Beau and Jeff. Rolf Harris, who appeared on the first Spotlight singing his new song, Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport, has become an international star. And thanks to huge advances in technology, the little white dot has gone forever.
The first live shows were children's shows. We were warned that because red registered the same grey as fleshtones, dancers may appear naked instead of wearing the tights they had on. News with pictures became an adventure and in 25 hours a week, Seven Perth went through almost 20 kilometres of film.
Since the opening in 1959 Seven Perth has certainly come along way. Seven Perth has become a major contributor to the cultural and entertainment life of the people of Western Australia, and is regarded by the community it serves as the leading television station in Western Australia.
Seven Perth fulfils an important role in charitable and community matters and actively promotes, supports and encourages charitable and community service organisations. Seven Perth organises popular public events such as Telethon - a 25 hour fundraising program with local & interstate guests from programs such as the very popular HOME AND AWAY, PACKED TO THE RAFTERS and SUNRISE and over the years international artists such as Cliff Richard, Celine Dion, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Julian Lennon along with many others took the long flight to Perth to join in the fun and fund raising for the children of Western Australia.
Another great event which the public participate in is the annual RAC Channel Seven Christmas Pageant with the City of Perth which is held in Perth. Thousands of spectators line the streets to watch the spectacular parade of floats . This also gives the public an opportunity to participate with Seven Perth by entering their dancing schools or groups who look forward to dressing up and parading through the streets of Perth.
Technology has certainly changed the way we see the world through our television sets as we beam the latest information from around the world via satellite directly into your living room. Television technology is ever changing with the launch of digital television, providing extra free-to-air channels. 3D Television is set to change our viewing habits in the coming years…
Seven Perth's strong Perth and Western Australian community sentiment is reflected in the diversity of community projects undertaken and underlines the station's premier position in this state.