BTW3-GWN Television Studio Building

Statement of Significance

GWN Televison Studio has cultural heritage significance for the following reasons:
it is an important regional facility which boosts and promotes the local economy. GWN Network is a modern communication and television studio which outreaches throughout regional Western Australia. At the time of establishment, such a facility represented an important confidence booster and faith in Bunbury as a regional centre.

Physical Description

GWN Television Studio is a modern building with an expanse of reflective glass cladding forming truncated walls at the corner of Pickersgill Street and Simpson Avenue. The station logo/business sign is prominent on the truncated wall of the building.

History

BTW3 Studios were built in the mid-1960s at a cost of $500,000. The commercial studios were opened on 10 March 1967.

The studios were opened by Governor Sir Douglas Kendrew who warned people not to let television rule their lives. He also commented that the station had the youngest staff in the country and that great things were expected of them. In all there were 16 staff members who would televise for 30 hours a week until revenue improved.

H. R. Goldings, the Chairman of Directors said that BTW3 would relay station GSW9 and serve 126,000 people in 39,624 homes. The station planned to telecast high quality programs with an emphasis on district news.

The opening was the stations first live broadcast and in attendance was the Federal Shipping and Transport Minister G. Freeth, Australian Broadcaster Control Board representative J. Donovan and station manager B. Hopwood.

At this time, the BTW3 was the State's second regional broadcaster – ABC first broadcast to regional Western Australia in May 1965.

The decision for South West Telecasters to locate their headquarters and studios in Bunbury provided a substantial boost to the status and confidence of the town as a regional centre.

In 1979, BTW3 became the Golden West Network (GWN). As the centre of operations for this regional network that operates throughout a large portion of Western Australia, Bunbury continues to be promoted directly and indirectly through GWN. GWN was the only commercial regional broadcaster in Western Australia until 1991, when WIN Television arrived.

Local Radio West Broadcasting Studios have been located in the building since the 1990s.

Integrity/Authenticity

High degree of integrity (original intent clear, current use compatible, high long term sustainability).
High degree of authenticity with much original fabric remaining.
(These statements based on street survey only).

Condition

Condition assessed as good (assessed from streetscape survey only).

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.