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The best thing to happen in TV
sales in this part of the world was the
formation in 1969/70 of the Television
Programme Distributors Association
(TVPDA), which embraced all the US
networks and majors, independent
distributors and many Australian
producers. The association ‘rode herd’
on its members, presenting a united
front to program buyers.
The first President was Ron
Michaels of United Artists, and I was
the second, serving for about 16 years.
Social activity was big on the
agenda - entertaining overseas guests
and Australian clients at fabulous
Christmas parties. The one company
chairman who consistently accepted our
invitation was the charming James
Fairfax.
In the early days of my presidency
William McMahon, then Minister for
Foreign Affairs, called me to a meeting
in his Sydney office. He pointed out
that people such as me, in contact with
Ministers for Broadcasting, Directors
General for TV etc. could do Australia
a great service by promoting our
country’s policies.
Before becoming Prime Minister
Bill always occupied Table 12 at
Johnny Walker’s famous Bistro where
George Mooratoff and I had Table 13.
If ever the White Australia Policy came
up in conversation, most Asians would
say “Ah, but your William McMahon is
a fine gentleman”.
When he became PM his security
could no longer be guaranteed at the
Bistro, so Mooratoff and I took over Say It With Music. Top: Peter Broome conducts the Ku-Ring-Gai Chamber Orchestra.
table 12, which was never sold any Peter was Musical Director for 18 years.
weekday to anyone else before 1.30, in Above: Taking a bow after his second performance with the Taiwan TV Orchestra 1969.
case we swanned in. Our portraits hung
on the two posts beside our table, We won the day hands-down with Of Universal Pictures and an
which became known as the ‘Two our correct assertion that tape was Australian) came to Australia, I was
Pillars of Wisdom’. merely a technical progression. their first port of call. It was the same
One serious business matter was the That day I decided that if ever I was for the international chiefs of Fox’s
introduction of videotape and its tax on a serious charge I wanted Bob competitors.
implications. The Tax Commissioner Stevens as my lawyer. Graeme was I think it was Good Friday in 1976
Trevor Boucher asserted that our well known as one who would storm when my phone rang at home and Alan
preferred tax position of Division 14 into a Deputy Commissioner and shout Silverbach informed me that I had been
(tax on ten percent revenue) or Division abuse about the way a client was being appointed a Vice President of Fox
13A (ten percent tax) applied only to treated by the Gestapo! International TV, the first Australian to
film and not to tape. Presidency of the TVPDA involved hold the position at Fox. I asked Alan
I represented the industry at a me with the Motion Picture Export about the salary and got the standard
meeting in the Treasurer’s Office in Association of America (MPEAA). I response, “What! I’ve just given you a
Canberra. Present were Treasurer John attended many meetings in New York great promotion. How can you talk
Howard, Boucher, myself, and two and Los Angeles discussing policy all money at a time like this?”
trusted advocates - Bob Stevens of around the world.
Blake Dawson Waldron and Graeme Whenever Jack Valenti, head of the
Herring, Senior Tax Partner at Peat MPEAA or Al Daff (retired President
Marwick.

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