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Norman Banks | |
|---|---|
 Banks broadcasting on 3KZ in the 1930s | |
| Born | Norman Tyrell Banks 12 October 1905 Sandringham, Victoria, Australia |
| Died | 15 September 1985 (aged 79) Malvern, Victoria, Australia |
| Education | St Aidan's Theological College, Ballarat Ridley College (University of Melbourne) |
| Occupation(s) | Radio broadcaster, Television presenter |
| Years active | 1931-1980s |
| Known for | Early broadcaster ofAustralian rules football, establishing the annualCarols by Candlelight |
| Awards | MBE for broadcasting InducteeAustralian Football Hall of Fame Melbourne Cricket Ground (in-gallery) |
Norman Tyrell Banks,MBE (12 October 1905 – 15 September 1985) was an Australian radio announcer, sports broadcaster, and television presenter. He broadcast some of the first live reports ofAustralian Rules Football matches and founded the annual Melbourne Carols by Candlelight event. He later hostedconservativetalk radio programs.[1]
Banks was born inSandringham, Victoria, on 12 October 1905, the youngest of five children. His father, Charles Cecil Banks, died before he was born. His mother, Alice, worked as adraper to support the family after her husband's death.[2]
Banks studied atSt Aidan's Theological College, Ballarat and later atRidley College, inMelbourne, with the intention of becoming anAnglican priest. However, at the age of 24, he decided to abandon his training and pursue a career outside the clergy, though he remained a member of the church throughout his life.[2][3]
He worked as a car salesman for S.A. Cheney Motors and traveled to England and the United States as a company representative. After experiencing financial difficulties and returning to Australia, he worked on a farm inColac owned by Joseph Gilmore, before marrying Gilmore's daughter, Lorna May, atChrist Church on 6 May 1930.[2]
While in the United States, Banks developed an interest in the radio industry and gained some broadcasting experience. Soon after his marriage, Banks sought a position at3KZ, following the advice of his mother.[1] He began his career as a radio announcer, and his broadcasts reportedly attracted competitive offers from other stations to recruit him.[1][4] Over the next 20 years, Banks broadcast from Melbourne, including programs such asVoice of the Voyager, Voice of the People, Voice of the Business Girl, Voice of the Shopper, Husbands and Wives, Junior Information, Spelling Bee, Victoria Varieties, Myer Musicale and "OBs" (outside broadcasts) of football, tennis, athletics, swimming, and other events.[4]
Although not the first to broadcast theVictorian Football League (VFL) (Melbourne's3AR broadcast former Carlton playerRod McGregor's descriptions of play at least as early as 1927),[5] Banks was one of the early football radio broadcasters. Banks was not initially allowed to broadcast from the grounds but found ways of observing the games without being seen. AtPrinces Park, Carlton, in 1931, he broadcast his first football match while standing on a ladder at the end of the dressing room. On another occasion at Princes Park, he broadcast from a hardwood plank protruding from a ladies' toilet. AtLakeside Oval, he once broadcast from an 18-meter steel tower.[4][6]
OnVictory in Europe Day, 1945, Banks was assigned to report from the celebrations at the end ofWorld War II.[4] Despite having been recently injured in a car accident, he broadcast the victory celebrations from central Melbourne.[1][4]
On Christmas Eve, 1937, Banks reportedly saw a woman listening to carols alone by the light of a candle. This image inspired him to organize a community event to help those who were lonely at Christmas. Banks staged the first Carols by Candlelight in 1938. On that first night, 10,000 people gathered at midnight inAlexandra Gardens to sing carols with a 30-strong choir, two soloists, and the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Band.[7]
The event became an annual tradition and is now broadcast by3AW on radio andNine Network on television as a fundraiser forVision Australia.
Banks applied to 3KZ management in 1952 for leave to attend theHelsinki Olympics. Banks stated to the station manager that he would resign if not permitted to go. His resignation was accepted immediately.[4]
Within days, he had signed with rival station3AW and was able to attend the Helsinki Olympic Games, publishing his notes asThe World in my diary; from Melbourne to Helsinki for the Olympic Games in 1953.[8]
At 3AW, he covered the Olympics, football, current affairs, and outside broadcasts around Melbourne, as well as hosting in-studio programs. He served as the station's News Editor for a period. He worked at 3AW until 1978, a career spanning 26 years.[4]
Banks was known on radio in the 1960s and 1970s for expressing his conservative opinions, including defenses of apartheid in South Africa and the monarchy.[9] These views were often presented in on-air debates with journalistClaudia Wright[10] or broadcasterOrmsby Wilkins, who called him "a sanctimonious old hypocrite".[1]
An accident at a football event, followed by another in the 3AW corridors, severely impaired his vision. His final on-air words were "the humble people, the little people… for your trust, loyalty and support."[1]
In 1953, Banks was appointed an MBE for his services to broadcasting.[11]
He was inducted into theMelbourne Cricket Ground'sRogues Gallery in 1998, with his citation reading—
In 1996, Banks was an inaugural inductee into theAustralian Football Hall of Fame in the Media category. His citation read—
