If you are an unabashed fan of
Kerry O'Brien, the
Chaser, or just cannot get enough of
Catalyst, perhaps you should consider taking a free tour of the ABC's
Ultimo studios.
The
Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is Australia's national public broadcaster, with operations spanning television, radio, online and mobile services. Established on 1 July 1932, the ABC commenced radio operations in 1932, with Conrad Charlton's first words: "This is the Australian Broadcasting Commission, relaying throughout Australia the opening night of the newly constituted Australian Broadcasting Commission." Since this event, the ABC has achieved many milestones, including hiring the first woman newsreader, patronising the Arts through a variety of competitions, and breaking a number of stories in the national interest.
The ABC does not merely appeal to Australia's political vanguard. With television shows such as
Bananas in Pyjamas (aired for the first time in 1990) and the expansion of radio show
Triple J and television shows such as the
Gruen Transfer and the Chaser, the ABC attracts all ages through a combination of entertainment and information.
Because of the impressive cultural capital enjoyed by the ABC, tours of the studio attract young and old visitors. The Ultimo premises combines television, radio, news media, transmission and news and current affairs, and therefore covers the vast spectrum of the ABC's operations. Tours are held Monday to Friday at 9.50am and 12.20pm. According to the ABC
website, "no two tours are ever the same. Your tour is likely to include a visit to one of our two digital state-of-the-art television production studios, an on-air radio station, a news studio and control room, as well as an insight into a variety of other ABC services, including Archives and New Media."
A minimum of 6 people are required to book a tour and a maximum of 45 people can be booked at each tour time. All proceeds from the
tickets are contributed back to the maintenance and development of the tours program. Adults must pay $7.50 and children and students $5.50.
