gmv6_studio It is almost fifty years since the launch of Shepparton television station GMV6.  The channel made its official debut on Saturday, 23 December 1961 – only two weeks after the launch of Australia’s first regional television station, GLV10 Gippsland, and on the same day as another station, BCV8 Bendigo.

GMV6’s opening night kicked off at 6.00pm with Personalities Parade, a 15-minute segment featuring some of the channel’s new stars including local presenters Nancy Cato (who went on to national fame as the presenter of The Magic Circle Club and Adventure Island) and Jim Lilburne and national stars Bobby Limb and Dawn Lake.

gmv6_1960s US shows Robin Hood, Father Knows Best and Sea Hunt occupied the next couple of hours along with the channel’s first news bulletin before the station was officially opened just after 8.00pm by Deputy Prime Minister John McEwen.

The opening night entertainment continued with the BP Super Show, the movie Random Harvest and then a late news update before the epilogue and sign-off for the night.

gmv6_1980sAt the time of its launch GMV6 had a staff of 19 and broadcast for around 32 hours a week.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the launch of the station a staff reunion is being planned for any employees of the channel between 1961 and 1989 – when GMV6’s local call-sign, identity and production was being phased out to become part of the VIC TV network, based in Ballarat, in the lead up to the aggregation of regional television markets in Victoria in 1992.

victvIn October 1994, VIC TV was bought out by the NSW-based WIN television network.  Last year WIN vacated the building premises – in Wyndham Street, Shepparton – that had housed WIN and its predecessors since 1961.  A few months ago the building was demolished and a new digital broadcast facility for the network will be built on the site.

The reunion dinner will be held at the Shepparton RSL on Saturday, 5 November and will be compered by former GMV6 personalities Chris Eddy and Jan Deane.  The night will also include a display of memorabilia and video presentations.  There will also be lunch available at the same venue the following day, enabling attendees another chance to see the displays and to catch up with former colleagues.

Any former GMV employees interested in more information or to make bookings for the dinner event – cost is $40 per head which covers Registration, a two-course meal and tea/coffee – are invited to contact the GMV reunion organisers via [email protected]

Following is the WIN News story from 2010 when WIN moved out of the original GMV6 premises…

… and GMV6’s 25th anniversary special that went to air in December 1986:

YouTube videos: regionaltv

7 thoughts on “50 year reunion for GMV6

  1. Hi, my dad was a TV chef in 1960-1961 in shepparton his name was Tony ( ANTHONY ) Devenyns we are after a copy of hi sshows on french cooking i belive it was about , we have soem still ssome where but really want a copy of the original .couldyou assist.

    His son mark

    1. Hi mark your cousin Jan here. how are you. I didn’t know uncertain Tony was on TV Now I have to ask was he a Chef at The Skyhigh Restaurant back in the seventies.?

    2. Hi there. My name is Ian Taylor
      I was a guest chef in 1988/89 on the Jan Deane morning show. I worked at the Park Lake Motel. Just wondering if there are any copies or links to where I could access them.
      Thanks.

  2. Hi there
    Just found out my Nanna Leila Hulse(Sharkey) was on the very first live program broadcast demonstrating hula hoop. I would dearly love to see footage of the first program if it is available. Thanks for your help.
    Sue Dillon

  3. Hi,
    Radio Station 2QN is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2025.
    Both Geoff Vallance and Jim Lilburne worked at 2QN before moving to GMV6 Shepparton.
    I am keen to make contact with both of these people, are you able to pass on my requests?
    Ian Lea

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