Basil Kirke
Basil Everal Wharton Kirke | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Armidale, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | January 8, 1958 (aged 64) |
| Occupation(s) | Radio broadcaster, radio executive |
| Years active | 1924–1958 |
| Known for | Australian Broadcasting Commission executive; pioneering radio broadcasts including children's programs and race-calling; manager of ABC stations 6WF and Victoria; initiator of foreign-language short-wave service that became Radio Australia |
Basil Everal Wharton Kirke (29 March 1893 – 8 January 1958) was a prominent radio broadcaster and executive affiliated with the Australian Broadcasting Commission. His entry into broadcasting followed a varied professional background across New South Wales and the Pacific Islands.
History
Born in Armidale, New South Wales, Kirke was the son of draftsman Samuel Wharton Kirke (circa 1856 – 28 April 1942) and Ellen "Ellie" Wharton Kirke MBE (1866 – 10 October 1945), née Clements. The family commonly used "Wharton Kirke" as a compound surname and traced their ancestry to Colonel Percy Kirke. Mrs. Wharton Kirke received an MBE from King George V for her World War I contributions, notably founding the Australia Day Fund which amassed £870,000 in New South Wales to support the war effort. She designed the inaugural ANZAC medal and is credited with initiating Australia Day in 1915 to aid wounded servicemen.
By 1902, the family resided at "Arrandoon," Camera Street, Manly, Sydney. Kirke attended Fort Street School but did not distinguish himself academically or athletically. He was actively involved as a lifesaver at Manly Beach, taking part in a significant rescue operation in February 1914.
Kirke enlisted in the First AIF in November 1914, serving within the Australian Medical Corps. He sustained injuries at Gallipoli on 30 October 1915 and contracted dengue fever. After returning to Australia in December, he was discharged in February 1916. Subsequently, he accepted a role as sub-Inspector for the Imperial Constabulary in Fiji and later served in Tulagi, Solomon Islands. In October 1916, he became engaged to Amy Holloway of Manly.
Upon returning to Sydney, Kirke led the Investigation branch of the RSSILA, assisting veterans with their claims. In August 1918, he was appointed temporary patrol officer of the armed constabulary at Kokoda, Papua, where he also held the position of postmaster but resigned before assuming duties. He married Margaret Tunney from Young, New South Wales on 21 February 1920. The couple lived at "Jawarere," Mullumbimby for two years. Kirke later served as inspector of soldier settlements in Murwillumbah before resigning in June 1923 to engage in cane farming at Condong alongside partner Angus McKinnon.
Radio career
Kirke commenced employment with radio station 2BL in 1924 but made his first broadcast appearance in May 1927 through a twice-weekly physical fitness programme. By late June of that year, adopting the persona "Uncle Bas," he succeeded "Uncle George" (George A. Saunders) as host of the afternoon children's show; Saunders had departed to manage station 2GB. Kirke also delivered occasional talks, pioneered coursing race-calling on 2BL, and provided commentary for boxing matches, including bouts featuring Jack "Tiger" Payne and Charlie Chetwynd. In 1928, he was promoted to chief announcer and effectively became assistant manager, additionally handling publicity and advertising responsibilities. Collaborating closely with engineer Ray Allsop, Kirke facilitated several landmark outside broadcasts such as Charles Kingsford Smith's inaugural trans-Pacific flight.
Following the acquisition of Perth’s 6WF by the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) in July 1929, Kirke was appointed studio manager and chief announcer. The company constructed a dedicated studio for 6WF at Hay and Milligan streets, replacing its former shared premises. After the Australian Broadcasting Commission assumed control in 1932, Kirke continued as manager of 6WF; during his leadership, radio licences surged from 3,900 to 12,500 despite reliance on outdated transmission equipment.
In a significant ABC restructuring in 1936, Kirke relocated to Melbourne as acting/assistant manager for Victoria, succeeding composer-pianist William G. James. His tenure in Perth earned widespread acclaim from civic authorities and arts organizations. He was confirmed as Victoria’s manager following T. W. Bearup’s overseas assignment and appointed manager for New South Wales in November 1937; Robert Clark McCall succeeded him in Victoria. In 1939, Kirke initiated a foreign-language short-wave service that eventually developed into Radio Australia.
Kirke resigned from ABC in 1946 to assume the role of Controller of broadcasts for External Territories based in Port Moresby but departed in 1950 due to slow developments; subsequently, he was seconded to coordinate a re-enactment of Charles Sturt’s Murray River expedition. Returning to ABC’s Sydney headquarters as inspector, he served as acting assistant general manager during Charles Moses’ overseas absence in 1952.
At his own request, Kirke resumed management of ABC Western Australia in February 1953, temporarily replacing Ewart Chapple during his extended leave; Chapple later succeeded Conrad Charlton as Victoria’s manager. Kirke passed away in Perth from hypertensive heart disease.
In tribute to his legacy, ABC Perth’s new studio complex at 191 Adelaide Terrace was named in his honor in 1961; this building was vacated and later heritage-listed in 2005.
Family
Samuel Wharton Kirke (circa 1856 – 28 April 1942) wed Ellen F. de Salis "Ellie" Clements (1866 – 10 October 1945) on 18 June 1885. Their offspring comprised:
- Hazel Marie Wharton Kirke (1886–1953), who married Dr. Roland Mastai Lane of the AAMC; she was awarded the Order of Queen Elisabeth by King Albert of Belgium.
- Major Errol Wharton Kirke (1887–1916), born in Dubbo, united in marriage with Gwyneth Holland in April 1916; he enlisted in the First AIF and lost his life at Pozieres.
- Clement Wharton Kirke (1889–1965), who married Olga Constance Mary Mater in Singapore in 1914; their marriage ended in divorce in 1933. He worked as a surveyor for the Imperial Government in the Malay States.
- daughter (born 1922)
- Basil Everal Wharton Kirke (1893–1958), born in Armidale, enlisted at Liverpool, NSW; after sustaining injuries, he returned as an invalid. In 1920, he married Margaret Ann Tunney from Young, NSW; they had one son:
- Craig Peter Wharton Kirke (1921–1997), born in Mullumbimby, later appointed Honorary Consul of Finland in Port Moresby. He wed Jessie Craig Cahill in Fremantle, 1929; they had one son:
- Errol Kirke (born 1932)
- Hunter Wharton Kirke MC (circa June 1894 – 1978), born in Armidale, NSW, enlisted at Liverpool, NSW.