George Negus changed Australian television forever in a very subtle way
As I sit here reminiscing about George Negus, a man whose impact on Australian broadcasting was nothing short of revolutionary, I can’t help but marvel at his audacity and foresight. A true trailblazer, he dared to challenge the status quo and brought the Australian accent into the limelight when it was as rare as a kangaroo in London.
Among many notable aspects of George Negus’ legacy, his role in empowering Australian journalists to express themselves confidently may stand as his most significant contribution.
After all, Negus introduced the Australian accent to Australian broadcasting.
Before him, we either spoke like the BBC or like Bob Menzies. Both were remarkably similar.
A wander through the sound archives of Australia is quite an ear opener.
In the 1980s, the rhythm of spoken English on the country’s radio stations was already quite similar to modern English.
It’s no wonder that we’re still a monarchy as we move into the final quarter of the 21st century, with plans to welcome our British monarch.
George might’ve spoken some strong, informal Australian phrases in response to that situation.
In the latter part of the 1960s, Negus initially caused surprise within the esteemed halls of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which was located then on the upper north shore at Gore Hill, where many spoke in a manner reminiscent of well-educated Britons.
‘Have you heard his appalling Australian accent. He should be taught to speak,’ I remember a senior executive still complaining when I arrived there a decade later.
‘If that’s considered acceptable then anyone can go on television.’
And of course that was George’s forte. He wasn’t anyone but he sounded like everyone.
For us young newcomers aiming to mimic the BBC’s style, it was evident that Negus was undeniably outshining everyone else.
When he shockingly departed from ABC to join the crass corporate realm, including 60 Minutes, our superiors predicted with confidence, “Trust us, that won’t endure.
In the old days, if you looked up 60 Minutes segments from as far back as the 90s, it would seem like everyone spoke very much like the British. Ray Martin was no exception.
16th September, 1956, marked the occasion when for the very first time, these friendly greetings echoed through Australian airwaves: “Good evening and welcome to our television broadcast.
By today’s standards, Bruce Gyngell sounded like he had just got off the boat.
However, since he hailed from Sydney Grammar School, I could say, borrowing from George’s words, that “Bruce wouldn’t have struggled to pull off an air of sophistication.
Revealing authentic Australian speech and speaking it in the common tongue brought about a significant advancement, and 60 Minutes became incredibly popular as a result.
Each Sunday evening at 7:30, I was glued to my TV, captivated by George Negus and his knack for bringing us closer to everyday Aussie families – truly a show that gave our nation common ground.
In retrospect, as I traversed various parts of the globe due to a venture I had initiated earlier, it often felt like we were positioning our camera in the very places where George had once used his tripod.
George’s death hasn’t come as a surprise.
He referred to it as “death” because, being an old-school journalist, he preferred straightforwardness. He wouldn’t make it. Instead, he would expire.
And it wasn’t a shock. With Alzheimer’s he had quietly slipped away from us some time ago.
In the tranquil silence surrounding him, it seemed as though George could replay his grand worldwide expeditions repeatedly, hearing them described again and again in the familiar tones and dialect of Australia.
The tone that was his great legacy.
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2024-10-15 10:49