I received an interesting email from the National Library of Australia today, in it they requested permission to archive Samuel’s Blog in the PANDORA Archive, “a growing collection of Australian online publications, established initially by the National Library of Australia in 1996, and now built in collaboration with nine other Australian libraries and cultural collecting organisations.”
Whilst there is a section in PANDORA for blogs, there doesn’t appear to be a selection criteria for them, as far as I can tell the closest match is “personal sites”, which states:
Personal sites will usually only be selected if they provide information of outstanding research value unavailable elsewhere or if they are of exceptional quality or particular interest.
I must say that I am honoured by this request, and look forward to providing a resource for the future. PANDORA entries are maintained by the National Library Of Australia for future generations, which means that Samuel’s Blog will remain available to the public regardless of whether this site remains in existence or is made obsolete by changes in technology. PANDORA entries are also added to the National Library’s catalogue and the National Bibliographic Database (a database of catalogue records shared by over 1,100 Australian libraries).
The entire site will be archived on an annual basis, and will be made available through the PANDORA website. This includes all articles, photos, audio, video, and even Samuel’s Persiflage.
Needless to say I am excited about this, and have granted the National Library permission to archive.
Just in case you were wondering, PANDORA is an acronym for “Preserving and Accessing Networked Documentary Resources of Australia”.
If you are reading this in the year 2050 or some other far flung future year, welcome! I hope you find this useful in some way, I am proud to be part of documented Australian history. I wonder what I’ll be doing in 2050 (I’ll be 63 years old…will I still be running this site?).
Samuel
January 18th, 2006 at 07:49pm
It was rather nice to wake up to the rain this morning. A nice grey morning with the pleasing pitter patter of rain on the roof and a good drnching for the garden.
The Bureau Of Meteorology’s weather radar in Captains Flat near Canberra shows that there was quite a bit of rain, but it appears to be subsiding. With any luck we may see more, I wouldn’t mind a few days of light, steady rain.
Samuel
January 18th, 2006 at 10:27am
The long awaited book on the history and people of Australian radio, Don’t Touch That Dial, Hits ‘n’ Memories Of Australian Radio, has been released and is available exclusively through www.waynemac.com.
The best way to explain the book is to use the words of Wayne Mac:
Don’t Touch That Dial chronicles Australian radio from the days when teenagers were first seduced by the new sounds of Top 40 pop and DJs in the late 1950s.
It takes you on a journey where radio went from strength to strength on AM, then FM, introducing music, news, personalities, commentators and colourful characters several of whom became household names.
In Don’t Touch That Dial Wayne Mac takes account of an entertainment phenomenon which has touched the lives of generations of Australians.
A celebration of radio and its people in words and pictures.
The book format is A4 hard cover, 400 pages.
The foreword is written by legendary radio presenter Bob Rogers, in which he writes about Wayne
Wayne Mac was a keen young radio listener in the ’60s, who turned his passion for radio listening into a successful career as an announcer and program director in the ’70s and ’80s. Documenting this era of our radio history is long overdue. Wayne’s commitment to this task, through several years of meticulous research, has resulted in an authoritative and entertaining read. Few stones are left unturned. I have even been reminded of a few things about me, which I’d forgotten and I had a few laughs along the way.
The book is sorted into sections and chapters:
- PART ONE:
- 1. ‘From Wireless to Radio’…an introduction to the very early days
- 2. ‘A New Hit to Happen’…the Top 40 era begins
- 3. ‘Stacks of Wax and Platter Chatter’…introducing Australia’s pioneering Disc Jockeys
- 4. ‘The ’60s: and the Beat Goes On’…the next generation of DJs and new sounds in pop music
- 5. ‘A Bright Good Morning to You’…the sound of breakfast and morning shows
- 6. ‘Hello, You’re on the Air’…talkback radio begins
- 7. ‘Now a Word From Our Sponsor’…the business end of radio
- 8. ‘Goin’ Up the Country’…how did country radio compare with the city?
- 9. ‘Have You Heard the News?’…the establishment and role of radio news
- 10. ‘The Music Goes Round My Head’…the origins of music format styles and positioning
- 11. ‘Sound of the ’70s’…greater sophistication of format radio through audience segmentation
- 12. ‘Something Special’…the era of producing radio specials and ‘event’ programming
- 13. ‘Jingle Jangle’…the production of advertising, promo and station identification jingles
- 14. ‘Cunning Stunts’…a Top 10 of station promotions and publicity stunts…and then some!
- 15. ‘FM Arrives’…finally!
- 16. ‘The Power in Radio’…the radio hierarchy. Who called the shots?
- 17. ‘The Changing Tune of the ’80s’…New formats, music, technology and new players
- PART TWO:
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Stations: the Players
- POSTSCRIPT:
Wayne has put an awful lot of work, time and dedication into this book, and it shows. Don’t Touch That Dial is a quality book in a limited print run. It is expected that it will increase in value in the years to come.
If you would like more information about Wayne’s book, head on over to his website at www.waynemac.com, and keep your ear on the radio as Wayne will be interviewed countless times in the coming weeks.
I’ve ordered my copy!
Samuel
(Quotes and image © Wayne Mac 2006)
January 18th, 2006 at 01:57am