We had 47 bookings at our dinner at the Herdsman Tavern, the venue we used last year also. It’s a pleasant room which the staff decorate for the Christmas season. 

A packed crowd of ABC Friends WA members and supporters listen to guest speakers Sarah Knight and Michael Tetlow.

Sarah Knight and Michael Tetlow were our speakers for the evening, and they were professional and flexible. They began the evening by circulating and chatting to our guests. When the staff were slow to take orders and it seemed we would be waiting for some time, we changed the plan for the evening and they did their tag team talk before the entrées arrived. 

Sarah, after completing a degree in ag science, started at the ABC in 1988 as a Rural trainee in Geraldton, learning the ins and outs of journalism and radio craft using reel-to-reel tape recorders. Michael began his career as a reporter with GWN in Bunbury. They talked about how much effort went in to getting stories to the newsroom in those days. Michael told a story about a tragedy at Donnelly River, and how on his way in he was turned around by his boss and sent to interview a person in Manjimup who knew the family, and spent seven hours on the road that day. 

Sarah, who has been managing ABC Perth for a number of years, welcomed the new emphasis on improving audiences for local radio in the state capitals. She is now in a national audio planning role. Michael, who is now presenting Afternoons on Perth local radio, has spent many years in TV. He refutes the claim that TV news is on its way out – he says only one TV News bulletin was produced when he started but now the ABC in Perth produces five a day. 

Guest speakers Sarah Knight and Michael Tetlow addressing the audience.

Later in the meal Sarah and Michael took questions. Sarah showed her management skills in dealing firmly with some more awkward questions, and Michael was his charming self. A question was asked as to whether you know when it’s a big story. Michael said yes, he did, and gave two examples. One was the bombing of the London Underground in 2005, and the second was the death of Queen Elizabeth II, when it was noticed that MPs were passing notes around in the house, and looking serious. We are most grateful to Sarah and Michael, for an informative and entertaining evening.