ABC’s refurbished Ultimo building opened

Speaking at the opening of the refurbished ABC Ultimo Centre with Prime Minister John Howard, ABC Managing Director Russell Balding said:
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Prime Minister, Minister, other distinguished guests and colleagues…. Welcome to the ABC’s new digital media centre.

I am both honoured and proud to be with you on this occasion as Managing Director of one of Australia’s greatest cultural institutions.

On the 9th of December 1996 the ABC Board approved a recommendation, which in doing so, endorsed the broad strategic direction to consolidate at the Ultimo Centre and rationalise our Gore Hill properties.

Since then, we have been through six years of planning, consultation, enquiry, approval of the Parliament through the Standing Committee on Public Works and ultimately the construction of this marvellous facility.

We have now commenced the largest, most complex relocation and technical fitout of any broadcaster in the Southern Hemisphere. Such a relocation was never going to be easy, yet we were always confident that it was going to be worth the struggle…

Both the Dix Report of 1981 and the Mansfield Report of 1996 (we have never been short of enquiries either) spelled out the need for the ABC to examine its property and leasings with a view to rationalising them. That was how Radio came to Ultimo more than ten years ago.

And although property rationalisation may have been a starting point, there were three compelling opportunities coming together at the same time that lead to this new Ultimo centre – Australia’s transition to digital television;
the need for new accommodation and studios and the chance to bring both our staff and our immense and valuable archives together.

And while it is only a coincidence, it is fitting that we are here to celebrate the future of the ABC in the year that we celebrate its 70th birthday.

However it is not a coincidence I believe that we are also able to celebrate today an ABC which is currently experiencing the largest audiences in its history and across all three platforms, Radio, Television and our New Media sites.

This achievement has been made possible thanks to the ABC’s greatest asset – a professional and dedicated workforce of program makers and support staff…

[Here at Ultimo] ABC News and Current Affairs – Television, Radio and Online – will be working together in the most advanced, comprehensive newsfloor in the Southern Hemisphere. As such, we are at the beginning of a cultural change that will be felt down through the years, and we enter this new era with great goodwill and confidence…

I would like to pay tribute as well to one of my predecessors, Brian Johns. Day by day, from the beginning, Brian battled to persuade and convince our staff and stakeholders at that time towards this goal, his vision to ensure that the ABC was well prepared for the ascendent power of digital. And he was supported in this by members of the Board during that period from 1996-2000, at which time Parliament granted approval for the project.

Also my sincere thanks to you, the staff who have not only contributed your time and energy to the project, but also to many of you having to deal with constant change and new conditions which disrupted your work environment – your ability to keep programs on air is a clear demonstration of your professionalism.

Finally Prime Minister, I thank you for your time today in celebrating with us and opening our new centre.

It’s Jack High Bowls, your turn PM!…. oops

Caption should read PM John Howard inspects the new Ultimo facility with ABC Chairman Donald McDonald and CEO Russell Balding.