RTQ Rules

This Saturday night there will be a few parties happening; at one an election victory will be celebrated. I’ll be attending a party this Saturday, not to sit in front of a television screen waiting for glimpses of the Capricornia or Flynn scoreboard, but to celebrate 50 years of television. At 7.00pm on Saturday September 7, 1963 RTQ7 began its first broadcast. Rockhampton viewers were treated to 28 hours a week of black and white programming. A major achievement at the time, one that revives many baby boomers fond memories of the Dean Street produced programs, including the legendary Holiday Fun and Games hosted by Les Hardman. Central Queensland had its own television station that was not just a broadcaster but content producer as well. Logie winning Wedmaier’s Walkabout, Claire’s Corner, The Morning Show, Feminine Touch as well as local news that used to be broadcast at 5.30pm week nights were some of the programs produced here in Rockhampton. ‘Progress’ has seen the demise of RTQ7 (evolved into WIN) and locally produced broadcast television programming. The Dean Street studio’s now only full of memories. However it serves as a reminder that you can start a public company in Rockhampton to make something happen. A group of local businessmen got together, took a punt on something relatively new at the time, even calculated they would lose money for 3 years but persisted to create a very successful company. Denham Brothers Limited, Rock Building Society were other examples of how a CQ Can Do spirit can lead to Board of Director’s meetings being held in Rockhampton; not Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. The National Broadband Network (NBN) will again change the media landscape just like with aggregation, the introduction of colour TV and on September 7, 1963; perhaps creating an opportunity that leads to the broadcast of locally produced programming. What content is more appealing than well produced local content? If one can find a way to produce and distribute it widely cost effectively, maybe the utilising the NBN, perhaps another successful company will hold their Board of Director’s meetings in Central Queensland. With change comes opportunity.