Walter Conder
Walter Tasman Conder | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Ringarooma, Tasmania, Australia |
| Died | November 3, 1974 (aged 86) |
| Occupation(s) | Broadcasting executive, military officer |
| Years active | 1920s–1950s |
| Known for | General manager of Australian Broadcasting Commission (1933–1935) |
Walter Tasman Conder (born 18 October 1888, deceased 3 November 1974), commonly referred to as Major Conder, held the position of general manager at the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) between 1933 and 1935.
History
Originating from Ringarooma, Tasmania, Conder was the son of J. H. Conder and received his education at Church Grammar School, Launceston. Prior to World War I, he served as an officer within the Cadet Corps and subsequently enlisted in Melbourne with the First AIF. He was deployed to the Dardanelles serving as an acting lieutenant in the 7th Battalion. After sustaining injuries at Gallipoli, he returned to Australia for a six-month leave period before his military appointment concluded in July 1916.
In the course of World War II, Conder re-enlisted under an altered birth date and spent nearly two years abroad fulfilling duties as an amenities officer with the rank of major, retiring from service in 1942. Following this, he oversaw army training facilities at Langwarrin and Broadmeadows, later receiving appointment as governor of Pentridge prison under the jurisdiction of the Victorian Prisons Department.
Conder’s career included involvement with J. C. Williamson, Ltd., where he acted as general manager for Melbourne’s radio station 3LO. By 1928, he advanced to managing director of Dominion Broadcasting Co., Ltd., which had acquired stations 3LO and 3AR. This broadcasting network grew to include stations 7ZL in Hobart and 5CL in Adelaide; these were eventually nationalized by the Australian Government and integrated into the ABC.
In 1932, Conder played a role as an organiser for Melbourne’s Centenary celebrations. Following the passing of ABC’s inaugural general manager H. P. Williams, Conder was appointed as his successor. His period in leadership was marked by disagreements with Commission chairman W. J. Cleary, who emphasized high-quality arts and drama programming, whereas Conder sought to attract a wider audience base. In June 1935, Conder resigned amid accusations from Cleary concerning improper use of ABC financial resources.
The role of general manager was then assumed by Charles Moses, who had been prepared for leadership by Cleary. Cleary himself stepped down from his position on the Commission in February 1945.
In 1952, Conder moved to Wellington, New Zealand and passed away in Nelson in 1974.