Viddler

Max became a professional musician at the age of 15 in 1942. He played Piano and Vibes in many nightclubs, and in the late 1940’s created the big stage band that became well known on radio and stage shows in the major ballrooms in Melbourne and Sydney.

In the early 50’s he did a weekly national program on radio 3DB called ‘The Happy Gang’.

At the commencement of television in 1956, He did musical arrangements for many stage performers, and TV shows, including the LATE, LATE SHOW with Bert Newton on HSV7, and later for GTV9’s IN MELBOURNE TONIGHT with Graham Kennedy.

After visiting Perth in early 1960 to work in a show produced by Brian Williams, He accepted an offer from Brian Treasure to join the staff of TVW. He considered this a decision that shaped the rest of his working life. As TVW was a new station, in an isolated state, everyone was on a learning curve and it created a family atmosphere. Many of the formats that shaped TVW’s production direction into the future originated in this period.

After joining TVW in 1960, Max progressed from Musical Director, through Producer/Director, Production manager, Station Manager, General Manager, and in 1977 was appointed CEO of TVW Enterprises Ltd.

He was awarded the MBE in 1980 and was always a bit embarrassed by this. He considered production to be a team job, and this award should have included many of his skilled and dedicated staff.

He left TVW in 1981, and after producing the NATIONAL OLYMPATHON for the Olympic Federation and Network 10, he was sent to L.A. to produce the Australian opening program to the 1984 OLYMPIC GAMES from Los Angeles. However this was interrupted when he was sent an airline ticket and asked to attend a meeting with Rupert Murdoch on a flight between San Francisco and Boston.

He accepted Rupert’s offer of the position of Executive Director of Network 10.