Argonauts Club

Argonauts Club

Company type	Radio program segment
Industry	Broadcasting
Founded	1933
Founder	Nina Murdoch
Fate	Ended in 1972
Headquarters	Melbourne , Australia
Area served	Australia (national except Western Australia for some broadcasts)
Products	Children's radio programming

The Argonauts Club was a children's radio program originating in Australia, with its initial broadcast occurring in 1933 on ABC Radio Melbourne. The program was developed by Nina Murdoch, who also oversaw the station's Children's Hour under the pseudonym "Pat." The show concluded in 1934 when Murdoch relocated to Adelaide. It was later reinstated on 7 January 1941 as a segment of ABC's Children's Session, reaching a national audience except for Western Australia, where local scheduling due to time zone differences prevailed. On 6 September 1954, the program adopted the title Children's Hour and aired from 5 to 6 pm. Over its tenure, it became one of ABC's most beloved broadcasts, airing six days weekly for 28 years until October 1969, when it was reduced to Sunday broadcasts exclusively before concluding in 1972.

The Children's Session

Launched in 1939 under the direction of ABC General Manager (later Sir) Charles Moses, the Children's Session was expanded into a nationwide broadcast by Controller of Productions Frank Clewlow. The inaugural host was Ida Elizabeth Osbourne, known on-air as "Elizabeth." Upon her departure in 1952—mandated by Public Service regulations following her marriage—"Nan" (Margaret Dalton) assumed hosting duties.

From 1940 onward, London-born Scottish actor Atholl Fleming joined as co-host, adopting the characters "Mac" or "Tavish McTavish." Prominent co-presenters included artist Albert Collins ("Joe") and, after his passing, actor John Ewart who portrayed "Jimmy" or "Little Jimmy Hawkins." The program’s fourth member was consistently a female presenter using an on-air alias; a number of these are detailed below.

Theme music

The Children's Session commenced with a theme tune performed by the Jim Davidson Dance Band, featuring lyrics by Elizabeth Osbourne and composed by Wally Portingale:

Come, Old Mother Hubbard and Jack and Jill

And Tom the Piper's son
Leave your cupboard forget your spill
We're going to have some fun
The wireless says to hurry and run
To leave your games and toys;
The wireless says the time has come
For all the girls and boys.
So come with a hop, a skip and a run,

It's time for the Session, it's time for the fun."

The presenters would then introduce themselves through playful exchanges aligned with their broadcast personas, leading into entertainment segments designed to suit different age groups within the audience.

The Muddle-Headed Wombat

The initial feature of the program was a dramatized series penned by Ruth Park, originally called The Wideawake Bunyip, starring "Joe" (Albert Collins) in the main role. Following Collins’ death in 1951, Ruth Park renamed the series The Muddle-Headed Wombat, with Leonard Teale as its first actor. When Teale departed, John Ewart took over for two decades as "Jimmy." The character "Mouse," a companion to Jimmy, was portrayed by the female presenter on air. Upon John Appleton’s appointment as Supervisor of Children's Programs, he was introduced into the storyline as "Tabby Cat." The show's success inspired Ruth Park to author a collection of Muddle-Headed Wombat books throughout the 1960s.

Entertainment

The remainder of each session offered a variety of entertainment options that varied by day, including singalongs known as "singos," storytelling, or theatrical sketches penned by Atholl Fleming or G. K. Saunders. These often incorporated studio characters such as the supervisor nicknamed 'Stewed Soup' or secret passages within the studio.

On Tuesdays, baritone Harold Williams delivered performances featuring opera excerpts, ballads like The Golden Vanity and Up from Somerset, as well as humorous tunes such as "One Fish Ball" and "The Green-eyed Dragon with Thirteen Tails." His clear enunciation greatly enhanced listener involvement.

Typically, the program concluded with a serialized dramatization of books authored by Australians including Ivan Southall. Among the prominent titles were Southall's semi-autobiographical wartime novel Simon Black in Coastal Command, which portrayed RAAF crews tracking German U-boats, and its sequel Simon Black in Antarctica, which explored a futuristic journey through a geothermal valley inhabited by Neanderthals.

An early hit was Budge (later known as Budge's Gang), starring Ron Rousel as "Budge," Rodney Jacobs as "Tubby," Peter Dunstan or David Stout as "Snick," Patricia Crocker playing "Dolly," and Queenie Ashton portraying Budge's mother. The cast also included John Meillon and Morris Unicomb. Written by John MacLeod, this series inspired a collection of illustrated books published by ABC. Other significant productions included G K Saunders's The Moonflower and The Nomads, along with Coral Lansbury's first play, The Red Mountain.

The show ended with a theme song composed by Elizabeth and Wally Portingale:

A jolly good night to you and you and you and you and you

The time has come to greet the end, the session now is through

The thought is old, is old, is old but the wish tonight is new –

A jolly good night to every one

A jolly good night to every one

A jolly good night to all especially you :And you and you and you ... and you.

Culture

Specialists contributed to the Argonauts' broadcasts on designated days:

Monday featured Alan Colefax ("Tom the Naturalist"), who discussed topics related to nature and wildlife

Tuesday was dedicated to art and painting with contributions from Albert Collins followed by Jeffrey Smart performing as "Phidias"

Wednesday included literary discussions led by A. D. Hope ("Antony Inkwell"), Leslie Luscombe ("Argus"), or John Gunn ("Icarus")

Thursday highlighted music performance and composition with Lindley Evans ("Mr Melody Man"), introduced by Anatoly Lyadov's The Music Box.

Esteemed guests were often former Argonauts such as basso Alexander Kipnis, oboist Léon Goossens, vocalist Joan Hammond, pianist Geoffrey Parsons, conductor Richard Bonynge, horn player Barry Tuckwell, violinist Patricia Tuckwell, and conductor-composer Malcolm Williamson.

Friday showcased The Argosy, a program highlighting members' themed contributions.

Saturday featured Argonaut Charades, where professional actors performed skits based on three-syllable words.

The Argonauts

The Argonauts Club catered to Australian children aged between 7 and 17, boasting a membership exceeding 50,000 by 1950, with an influx of approximately 10,000 new members each year throughout the 1950s (national figures reached 43,000 in 1953). Prospective members applied via mail and were welcomed with an enamel badge and a certificate featuring the Pledge introduced in 1931:

Before the sun and night and the blue sea, I vow

To stand faithfully by all that is brave and beautiful;

To seek adventure and having discovered aught of wonder, delight, merriment or loveliness,

To share it freely with my comrades, the Band of Happy Rowers.

Each member was assigned a unique pseudonym consisting of a ship name and number, deliberately chosen without regard to age or gender to foster personal development over rivalry. The Club maintained a card system to document real names, submissions, and awards. It encouraged participation in creative pursuits such as writing, music, poetry, and visual arts.

Contributors earned Blue Certificates (valued at one point) or Purple Certificates (worth three points). Accumulating six points allowed members to claim book prizes. More prestigious distinctions included The Order of the Dragon's Tooth (150 points), The Order of the Golden Fleece (400 points), and eventually the Golden Fleece and Bar (600 points). The certificates were crafted by "Joe." Announcements celebrating these achievements were integral to Club broadcasts.

On air, only Club pseudonyms were used; for instance, Atholl Fleming was known as 'Jason,' while Elizabeth Osbourne was 'Argo 1.' The program began and ended with a theme composed by Osbourne and Cecil Fraser, performed by Harold Williams alongside the ABC Wireless Singers:

Fifty mighty Argonauts, bending to the oars,

Today will go adventuring to yet uncharted shores.

Fifty young adventurers today set forth and so

We cry with Jason "Man the boats, and Row! Row! Row!"

Row! Row! Merry oarsmen, Row!

That dangers lie ahead we know, we know.

But bend with all your might

As you sail into the night

And wrong will bow to right "Jason" cry,

Adventure know,

Argonauts Row! Row! Row!

The Club demonstrated care for ill members through "The Ship of Limping Men," with Atholl Fleming making visits whenever possible.

Saturday broadcasts featured the Argonauts Brains Trust segment.

Starting December 1944, the ABC Weekly included an Argonauts' Page that highlighted contributions from members; among these was Ithome 32—who later gained fame as Barry Humphries, creator of "Edna Everage."

From 1947 onwards, annual live performances of both the Children's Session and Argonauts Club took place at State Royal Shows within specially constructed ABC studios at each capital city’s showground.

Publications

Eight annual editions were released:

• A.B.C. Children's Hour Annual #1 (1956), Educational Press Pty Ltd., printed by Cumberland Newspapers, Parramatta
• A.B.C. Children's Hour Annual #2 (1957), Educational Press Pty Ltd., printed by Cumberland Newspapers, Parramatta
• A.B.C. Children's Hour Annual #3 (1958), Educational Press Pty Ltd., printed by Halstead Press, Sydney
• A.B.C. Children's Hour Annual #4 (1960), Educational Press Pty Ltd., printed by Halstead Press, Sydney
• A.B.C. Children's Hour Annual #5 (1961), Educational Press Pty Ltd., printed by Halstead Press, Sydney

Renamed as:

• The Australian Children's Annual #6–#8 edited by T. S. Hepworth (1963–1965), Angus and Robertson, Sydney.

The Introduction to Annual #6 (1963) acknowledges contributions from 'your friends from the A.B.C. Children's Hour and The Australian Children's Newspaper' and mentions that membership had surpassed 70,000 children in the Argonauts Club.

At least three collaborative children’s books were published:

• Dangerous Secret (ABC, 1960) edited by John Gunn ("Icarus")
• The Gold Smugglers (ABC, 1962) edited by John Gunn ("Icarus")
• The Gravity Stealers (ABC, 1965) edited by John Gunn ("Icarus")

These fiction works featured Australian themes and were overseen by Tom Stanley Hepworth, editor of The Australian Children's Newspaper, published by Educational Press Pty Ltd. Members contributed chapters and artwork; final selections were curated by Icarus under supervision from Phidias (Jeffrey Smart).

Contrary to the Club’s usual anonymity policy, contributors’ names appear in these volumes; notably, The Gold Smugglers includes photographs and biographies of contributors and indicates that nearly 100,000 children belonged to the Argonauts Club.

Staff and presenters

John E. C. Appleton, actor and producer

Bill Bearup, known as "Argo 12"

Barry Brown, philatelist

Alice Burgess served as co-presenter "Jane" and actress from 1949 to 1951

George Caiger, poetry presenter "Auceps" from 1946

Neville Cardus delivered weekly music talks during his time in Australia

Alan Colefax, naturalist presenter "Tom the Naturalist"

Albert Collins (1883–1951), "Joe" or "Argo 1A," curator of 'Joe's Art Gallery'

James Condon, actor based in Western Australia

Paddy Conroy, producer beginning in 1962

Douglas Cribb portrayed "Orpheus" from 1946 to 1953 during Harold Williams' absence

Gina Curtis known simply as "Gina" until 1959

Margaret Dalton called "Nan," record librarian and co-host; succeeded Elizabeth as Officer-in-Charge until 1952

Talbot Duckmanton nicknamed "Tal," future ABC General Manager who hosted weekly sports segments

Lindley Evans, pianist accompanist known as "Mr Melody Man" or "Argo 4"

John Ewart, co-host from 1954–72 known as "Jimmy" or "Argo 29"

John K. Ewers, pseudonym "Inky Wells"

Peter Finch, guest presenter

Atholl Fleming, compere from 1939–72 known as "Mac" or "Jason"

Cecil Fraser, composer of club anthem known as "Argo 9"

Barbara Frawley, presenter named "Barbara" starting in 1957

Dame Mary Gilmore, identified as "Argo 8"

John Gunn, writer under the name "Icarus," active from 1957–69

Wally Hanley, sound effects technician known as Walter

Frank Harvey, storyteller called "Nestor"

Marcia Hathaway portrayed character "Judy"; tragically died in a shark attack

Diana Heath presenter

A. D. Hope, poet recognized as "Antony Inkwell" or "Argo 3"

Diana Horn presenter

Diane Hosking, joined as "Robyn" in 1959

Frank Hurley, known as "Argo 7," delivered talks on photography and Antarctic exploration

Roy Kinghorn, naturalist dubbed "Linnaeus," active from 1962–1971

Billie Lean served as office manager

Faith Linton, co-host named "Susan," active from 1951–57

Dorothy Lober, behind-the-scenes sound effects officer identified as "Argo 13"

Patricia Lovell (then Parr), co-host called “Pat,” later film producer and host of Mr Squiggle

Leslie Luscombe, literature presenter known as “Argus” beginning in 1953

Garry Lyle, literature presenter “Archon” between 1946–53

Alan John Marshall, naturalist nicknamed “Jock the Backyard Naturalist” or “Argo 5”

Guy Manton, speaker on Greek myths under the name “Cheiron”

Captain McCarthy, honorary member designated “Argo 14,” commander of HMS Argonaut

John McGrath], sound effects technician also known as Walter

Frank McNeill], naturalist called “Sandy the Naturalist” who served during WWII replacing Jock Marshall

Bruce Miller], poetry and literature contributor under “Stephen”

Frank Mills], art presenter based in Western Australia

Sue Newton, presenter beginning in 1963 known simply as “Sue”

Ida Elizabeth Osbourne, founding member referred to as Elizabeth or “Argo 1” from 1941–49

Richard Parry, presenter until 1967 going by Richard

Enid Partridge, piano accompanist when Lindley Evans was unavailable

Patricia Pearson, co-host called Anne starting in 1957

Bill Salmon, art presenter succeeding Jeffrey Smart in 1963 known as Apelles

Mollie Shackleton, member identified as Argo 6

Isobel Ann Shead contributor

Jeffrey Smart, art commentator recognized as Phidias since 1951

Leonard Teale (formerly Leonard Thiele), co-host known as Chris until 1954

Wilfrid Thomas delivered talks accompanied by recordings

Alex Walker, ornithologist known affectionately as Alex the Birdman

Harold Williams, baritone singer and presenter recognized as Orpheus

Notable Members

Marian Arnold (broadcaster) (Achilles 31)

Thea Astley (author)

John Bannon (Premier of South Australia) (Golden Fleece Charops 37)

Richard Bonynge (orchestra conductor)

Mike Carlton (broadcaster)

Gaye Chapman (visual artist, painter, children's book author) (Epistolus 48)

Dennis Condon (broadcaster) (Bucephalus 8)

Robert Dessaix (author) (Illyria 42)

Ken Done (designer, advertising executive, painter) (Polymestor 11)

Michael Dransfield (poet) (Eumolpus 24)

David Ellyard (science journalist) (Golden Fleece & Bar Erato 42)

Nick Enright (playwright) (Alastor 35)

Jon Faine (broadcaster) (Pelleus 19)

Winsome Evans (director, Renaissance Players) (Golden Fleece & Bar Taras 3)

Tim Fischer (politician)

Kate Fitzpatrick (actress, cricket commentator)

William Fraser (editor, Australian Financial Review) (Acheaus 5)

Di Gribble (ABC deputy chair)

Rolf Harris (entertainer, painter) (Echo 32, Perth Club)

Allan Humphries (weather presenter) (Ampelus 38)

Barry Humphries (actor, writer) (Ithome 32)

Jacqueline Kent (author) (Dragon's Tooth Cadena 3)

Christopher Koch (author) (Gaza 16)

Coral Lansbury (academic and author)

Sir Charles Mackerras (conductor)

Donald McDonald

Arthur McIntyre (artist and art critic) (Atropos 30)

Hilary McPhee (chair, Australia Council ) (Leander 39)

Humphrey McQueen (author and critic)

Joanna Mendelssohn (art critic) (Roxana 38)

Tony Morphett (scriptwriter) (Antiphon 39)

Margot Oliver (filmmaker) (Herodotus 31)

Marion Ord (author) (Harmonia 1)

John Pickup (painter) (Maresa 37)

Clive Robertson

Maurice Alexander Robertson (critic) (Dragon's Tooth Archimedes 25)

Peter Sculthorpe (composer) (Jason 50)

Thomas Shapcott (author)(Psyche 28)

Wendy Simpson (transport CEO)(Erymanthus 30)

Russell Starke (arts figure in Adelaide)(Ornon 18)

Anne Summers (editor and author)(Dragon's Tooth Pytheus 41)

Dame Joan Sutherland (soprano)

Geoffrey A. Taylor (former professor, safety science and OHS author)(Tiplis 41)

Margaret Throsby (broadcaster)(Androcles 26)

Imants Tillers (artist)(Acropolis 14)

Mike Walsh (businessman and TV personality)(Pontos 7)

Malcolm Williamson (composer)(Demodocus 23)

Kate Wilson (actor and academic)(Scollis 49)

Fay Zwicky (poet and academic)(Hesperides 29)

External links

• Friends of the National Film and Sound Archive Argonauts archived on 17 February 2011
• Friends of the National Film and Sound Archive Argonauts Ship List
• Image of Dragon's Tooth certificate