Channel 9 Perth celebrates 60 years

On Thursday, June 12, Channel 9 Perth will mark its diamond anniversary in Australian television, and the marvellous milestone will be recognised in a must-see prime-time special, Celebrating 60 Years, Channel 9 Perth, at 7.30pm on Nine and 9Now.

This 90-minute celebration, hosted by 9News Perth’s Michael Thomson and Tracy Vo, will take viewers on a nostalgic journey through the station’s rich and vibrant history, showcasing its steadfast commitment to entertaining, informing and supporting the WA community from 1965 until now.

Sit back and enjoy Nine’s six-decade evolution: from humble black and white programming, kids shows and mascots including Flapper the Elephant, advances in technology, the first Australian station to broadcast news in colour, their proud invention of Stump Cam, which revolutionised cricket broadcasting, to the Appealathon years and the transformation that has popularised digital broadcasting and streaming for TV audiences today.

An array of favourite personalities will take a fond look back at their time at Channel 9 Perth, some interviewed for the very first time, with candid insight and anecdotes from Jenny Seaton (pictured below with John Farnham), Jo Beth Taylor, Peter Harries, Jenny Dunstan, Chris Woodland, Pip O’Connell, Matt Di Costa, Trevor Cochrane, John Burgess and many more.

9News Perth presenters past and present will also take viewers behind the lens, offering special insight into news gathering and broadcasting across the years, with Louise Momber, Christina Morrissy, Tod Johnston, Terry Spence, media stalwart Terry Willesee (pictured below) and others recounting the big moments and unforgettable stories that have shaped the state.

Head of Marketing, Communications & TV Programming at Nine Perth, Peter Brennan, said this is a TV special not to be missed.

Brennan said: “We have unlocked the vault and delved deep into our archives to unearth some remarkable vision, and we will air some amazing clips for the first time since their original broadcast.

“To celebrate 60 years is a remarkable milestone for any business, and Channel 9 Perth is privileged to remain in the heart of so many West Aussies. The faces, programs, stories and iconic theme tunes will take you back to a nostalgic time and place, tug at your heart strings and conjure up emotion. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you.”

Furthermore, to commemorate the anniversary, Channel 9 Perth has partnered with the Perth Symphony Orchestra to deliver a marvellous medley of its theme tunes down through the years, from 9News, Wide World of Sports, The Garden Gurus, Postcards WA, Just Add Water and more, transformed into a one-track orchestral masterpiece.

With special thanks to PSO’s Creative Director Fiona Campbell OAM and conductor Greg Schultz (also Channel 9 Perth’s former Music Director), this is the first time the Perth Symphony Orchestra has collaborated with a media organisation to deliver a grand original medley of this calibre, and it will feature in a locally produced music video at the end of the TV special.

1983 news team.