Media Man Australia - The Online Home of Greg Tingle

Channel 31 Community TV - More than just Joy's World,
by Greg Tingle & Yvette Moore - 8th March 2004

The entertainment and media business has been buzzing of late.

Everyone wants to know about what is happening at Channel 31 Community TV Sydney and Joy's World.

Well, the good news is that Channel 31 Community TV Sydney is more popular than ever, and Joy's World continues to be one of the most "feel good" programs on Australian TV.

Joy's World has seen some of Australia's most interesting and unique segments broadcast - of the calibre you won't see anywhere else. Music, dancing, personalities, the arts, body and soul, interviews and fun, reign supreme.

Having said that, Joy's World, and no doubt other Community TV programs in Sydney, need your help!

With the pressures of the commercial world, profitability and globalisation, the squeeze is on Community TV, and Joy has proclaimed a call of action to elevate "grass roots" television, that has been the training ground for so many of Australia's "big time" television entities; including Rove McManus and Andrew Denton. Who will be the next "break out" talents from Community TV? First we need to ensure that Community TV will survive.

I hear you asking yourself, who is Joy?

Joy Hruby is one of Australia's living treasures of the Australian entertainment business.

This icon of the industry has enjoyed a career spanning more than 5 decades. She has not only been an outstanding and familiar face on TV and theatre, but also behind the scenes in a myriad of roles including managing her own theatrical agency, a director, producer and writer for Sydney Children's Theatre, creator and producer of The Have A Go Show and producer and presenter of programs on CTV1.

Joy's outstanding film and TV credits include Return to Eden, Rafferty's Rules, A Fortunate Life, The Two Ronnies, The Chaser, Naked, Brides of Christ, The Jeannie Little Show, The Midday Show with Ray Martin, G.P. Home and Away, All Saints, Sons and Daughters, A Country Practice, Kingswood Country and more recently, Enough Rope with Andrew Denton.

This incredible talent also has an enormous theatrical portfolio to her credit, including musicals, comedies and straight plays appearing at many of Australia's top venues including The Sydney Opera House, Cell Block, The Comedy Theatre in Melbourne and too many more to list.

An excellent example of Joy's fostering of Australian talent, is when acting alongside the now international star, Bryan Brown, in Love Letters from Teralba Road, which was produced in 1977; she spotted his immense talent and encouraged Brown to take it further.

Joy continues her supporting of Australian talent in her current role at Channel 31 Community TV Sydney; but this time it's very much a case of role reversal, with the TV station requiring your support and encouragement. You want reality in TV? The assistance required is very real folks.

What can you do to assist? Many things. Contact the ABA (Australian Broadcasting Authority), and advise them of your support for Channel 31. ( e-mail: info@aba.gov.au )

You can also advertise your business on Community TV, make a donation or write letters to your local member of parliament. Many other community groups and organisations thrive in Australia, so why can't this be the case with Sydney's Channel 31? Take The Friends of the ABC and The Variety Club for instance. See, it can be done!

In the name of democracy, freedom of choice, fun and fair play, pick up your pen or telephone today, and tell the world that you love your Community TV, and want it to flourish.

*Support Channel 31 Community TV by contacting:

Australian Broadcasting Authority
e: info@aba.gov.au
cc: keep31alive@optusnet.com.au
t: (02) 9334 7700
f: (02) 9334 7799
a: ABA Licensing Section, Q500 QVB NSW 1230

*For those of you interested to see how it all began for Joy, we thoroughly recommend the very sought after title, The Dubbo Dazzlers, that documents Joy's life growing up and performing for the troops in the Second World War.