radio

[noelcauser]

this weeks homework

Radio

To the thin light of the morning sun
to the setting suns last glow.
The only contact that a bushman had
was the old box radio.
It was switched on in the morning
to hear what the weather man might say
Then again at lunchtime break
in the middle of the day.

Depending on the weather and location
would determine what you heard.
From the BBC in London
you would dwell on every word.
It was the only outside contact
that the bushman ever had.
And to listen to ABC Australia
was happy in his little pad.

After he had his meal at lunch time
there was the excuse to have a rest
Listen to real drama like “Blue Hills”
real life's stories was the very best.
At night the local news and weather
was something never missed.
Dad and Dave,then Biggles was
on the families “No miss” list.

Radio in early times
was a treasured part of life
If you made a noise at news time
you'd find yourself in strife
If the old girl blew a valve or two
right at peak viewing time.
Then it was prudent to retire real quick
it was considered the worst crime.

If you didn't keep the battery charged
or there was a lightning storm about.
It was best you go check the horses
or just exercise your gout.
The Ashes listening was a must
and to here Bradman score a ton.
Hear the ball hit willow
and sail off towards the sun.

Yes the old Radio was part of life
no resemblance to what we hear today
I'pods and gadgets shoved in every ear,
and too think one has too pay
Air waves full of useless information
that no one want too hear
Its enough to make an honest bushman
head for the local and a beer.
Ncauser © 2011

[Neville Briggs]

There was a time before radio, Noel, when they also had The Bulletin and the bush poets.




Neville

[noelcauser]

before my time, but I do remember the Bulletin

[Zondrae]

G'day Noel,
I see you got through. These computers can be cantankerous little beasties, specially when they have been out getting IT service of any kind.

Now, in the poem you have "viewing time". I believe, to remain true to the era, it shoud be "listening time".

I remember sitting by the radion listening to "Hop Harrigan" and "Smokey Dawson". As a teenager I would sit and do embroidery on things for my 'box' , like table cloths and doillies, while listening to Bob Dyer or Jack Davey. I liked the 'Amateur Hour'. We rarely missed the play on Saturday night in 'The Palmolive Theatre'. I faintly remember 'Roy Rene' and 'Life With Dexter'. Yes, there were kids serials when I was younger, like 'Biggles' and 'Superman' and I think 'The Lone Ranger'.

Can you imagine todays kids doing the same? I suppose it is only developement and the Ancient Greeks would have thought us rebellious and headed for ruin.

[Neville Briggs]

And Leonard Teale as Tarzan , and dramatic White Coolies , a true story.
My grandmother always listened to " Aye it's me, Doctor Mac "

And there was the Argonauts. A mate of mine was an argonaut and still has his argonaut number.

But best of all .... Yes What ?




Neville

[Jasper Brush]

Noel, Your poem brought back memories.

I used to work with a Noel Causer, Department of Transport, Wollongong.

Yeah, I was an Argonaut. The slogan was 'keep rowing'.

One of the presenters name was, Joe.

I listened to 'First Light Fraser' during the war years and there was 'Mrs Obbs' with Alfie, Dicky Bart and Mrs Jefferies .

Then there was 'Ada and Elsie'. I thought 'The Lux Radio Theatre' was the name of the producer of plays on Saturday nights.

We listened to 'World Famous Tenors'. And on a Sunday night 'The Quiz Kids' with John Deese as the compare.

Then there was 'The Amateur Hour.'

My sister worked for the Atlantic Union Oil Company (Esso) and she gave me two tickets to see 'The Atlantic Show' compared by Jack Davey. I was only 15 and singer on the show's name was Kathy Lloyd she wore a pale green satin dress and I fell in love; she was the most beautiful woman (my opinion) I had ever seen.

Regards,


John

[noelcauser]

Okay reveal your self. I am that Noel Causer From the RTA.I was the senior driver testing coordinator traveling up and down the coast. Tell me more. Now retired and in rotary where i have been overseas on many occasions doing volunteer work in PNG and East Timor. Thanks Zondrae for correcting my little mistake. I could have added Dad and Dave and you would remember "Yes What"!

[Jasper Brush]

G'day Noel.

Great to hear from you, mate.

John Macleod, Last position, Manager, School Student Transport Scheme, South, retired aged 55 ( 40 yrs service) in 1993.

I'm the Co-ordinator for the local Meals on Wheels Inc, and a Director (honorary) of North Shoalhaven Meals Co-operative Ltd which is responsible for implementing government policy and food regulations for eight meals on wheels services from Berry to Jervis Bay.
So I'm strictly a local boy.

I had an inkling you were the NC of old.

Jasper Brush is a short version of Jaspers Brush.

Small world.

John

[Zondrae]

Well,

some of us are of the same vintage. I do remember 'Yes, What!". Also remember 'Jason and the Argonauts' as well as 'Ada and Elsie' and the 'Quiz Kids'. It didn't take much to entertain us back then did it. 'Pick-A-Box' didn't quite make the cross over to TV. They tried but it died a natural death.

When we opened our first edition of 'Trivial Persuit' and started playing, I found an error in the answer to a question. (two in fact) I sent the question/answer cards back to them and in response, they sent us two new packs of questions. One of the answers they had wrong was, - "what was the name of the longest running radio serial in the world?" I knew the answer was 'Blue Hills". and they had something totally irrelivent like the name of a flower or tree. Their explaination was printers error. Was Blue Hills written by Gwen Merredeth? (spell?)

Can't recall what the other answer was.

[Neville Briggs]

G'day Zondrae, Gwen Meredith was the writer of Blue Hills, she died in 2006.

And the theme tune of Blue Hills started with a horn solo, played by Clarrie Miller who was for many years the principal french horn player in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

I think I have heard that there is a plan to revive Blue Hills and have a new series written. Not sure of that.



Neville