Living History

The Introduction of Television to Australia, 1956 - 1971

The first words spoken on Australian television were on TCN (the communication network) Sydney, 16 September 1956, by Bruce Gyngell. The words he spoke were:

"Good evening and welcome to television"

Back in England,1926, John Logie Baird first demonstrated a true television system by electrically transmitting moving pictures. (Source: The New Encyclopaedia Britannica: Ready Reference. 15th ed. 1989.). It was not until 1956 that television was first introduced to Australia. New South Wales and Victoria were the first two states to have televisions in the home. Television was introduced lastly to the Northern Territory in 1971. Of course, at this stage television was shown only in black and white and in March 1975 colour reached Australian television screens. Today, there are approximately 7.3 million television households with about 99 per cent of households having at least one television set. (Source: Paul Budde Communication, estimates)

In 1956, people from all over Australia were able to view one of the first sporting events to be broadcast: the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. With the passing of a well-known television personality Graham ‘the king of television’ Kennedy, we are reminded of the many shows that have graced our screens such as ‘In Melbourne Tonight’ (1957), ‘Division 4’ (1969) and ‘The Sullivans’ (1976).

For the months of November and December, Living History is exploring the Introduction of Television to Australia 1956 - 1971. You are invited to send in your memories, photos or family stories about the days during this time. How did everyday life for our Australian community change since this event? What do you remember of this time: the shows, the TV personalities, where you first watched television? If you have memories or family stories and photos about the introduction of television to Australia, then send in your contribution and help build Living History.

Go back to the current Living History topic.

More Information

Want more information on this topic? Check out the following links?

Screensound Australia (National screen and sound archive)

Australian Broadcasting Authority

The History of Australian Television

Contributions

Contribution Title		Date Posted
Contribution -Bob		23/07/2007
Memoirs of a television technician		6/12/2005
The Faulty TV		6/12/2005
Dad and TV		5/12/2005
Our first TV was an Admiral		22/11/2005
Television arrives early in Launceston		25/10/2005
Television comes to Hobart		25/10/2005