■ Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, September 18, 2002
Melbourne
Observer
TV - Radio - Showbiz
Funny Mal, perfect gent, sadly missed stalwart Bruce Ruxton, who rushed from Geelong to one of the many paying tribute. Mal Meikle worked in England for some years after the War, and honed his craft as a fine showman. So much so that he was invited to appear at THREE Royal Command performances.
By ASH LONG, Observer Editor
M
ELBOURNE has just lost one of its finest and unique showbiz characters. And I've lost a good mate. Hundreds gathered at the Diamond Valley Baptist Church late last month to farewell comedian Mal Meikle, who died at the age of 76. Malcolm Jeffrey Meikle made service the hallmark of his life, displaying it as a 50-year member of Rotary, and making it his calling card as a professional show business identity around the world.
Service Mal Meikle was at much at home with members of the Royal Family, as we was with the common man. Whilst in England, he joined the Rotary Club of Weymouth, and this was to start an association of more than 50 years with the international service organisation dedicated to helping others. Upon his return to Australia, Mal expanded his business interests, including running his own artists' management business. He was an accomplished writer, and for a while penned the popular 'Veritas' TV/radio/showbiz column. Mal's business talents also extended to being General Manager of the Age Suburban Publications group of local newspapers. He was also a Company Director.
Local
Mal was born in the Melbourne suburb of Brunswick in 1927, with his family soon moving to Footscray and, for a while, living in a tent! Mal completed his education at Footscray, joining the Royal Australian Air Force in 1943. If you do your arithmetic, it's easy to see that Mal fibbed about his age so he could serve Australia in the military conflicts of World War II. Mal's Air Force service took him to New Guinea, and he was 'demobbed' in 1946. His patriotism was legendary, exampled by the tribute paid by his fellow members of the Greensborough RSL sub-branch at his funeral service. Also paying tribute was Victorian RSL
Melbourne
Observer
Tribute ■ Melbourne showbiz man Mal Meikle will be missed by many friends
A number of speakers at the funeral service emphasised that Mal's work as an entertainer was often one of service to his fellow man. He often appeared at functions, without charge, in an endeavour to
assist the disadvantaged, underprivileged, as well as community groups. Roy Hampson, one of Melbourne television's best-known identities from the days of Channel 0 (now Network 10), paid tribute to our friend. Roy said many comedian were loathe to appear on TV as they were afraid of losing their 'material' to other artists, or it becoming familiar to the public. Not so Mal Meikle. He also lent a hand, often at his own personal cost.
Example
Many speakers remembered Mal Meikle as a man who willingly gave his time across Victoria to others. Leading Rotarians Alan Sartori and Terry Grant spoke of his motto of 'Service Above self'. Business colleagues recalled his fine ethics. A neighbour noted the fine partnership of more than 40 years between Mal and his wife Joan. Showbiz colleague Gordon McKenzie played an organ and accordion tribute; video expert Tony Ladgrove put together an audio-visual remembrance; soloist John Lidgerwood sang "How Great Thou Art". The Melbourne Observer joins with the community in extending its sympathy to Joan, son Wayne and the Meikle family on their loss. Melbourne has lost one of its finest sons. "Love ya, buddy!
7-DAY TV PROGRAM GUIDE
Saturday, September 21 ABC
6.00 Rage. 9.00 Saturd ay Morning Fly. Including 9.00 Fly Mix.10.30 Fly Toons:T h e Ripping Friends. 11.00 popsui 12.00 Stateline 1 . 0 0 B owls: Australian Indoor Championships. 2nd Semi-Final. 2.00 M ovie.TheYoung Lovers. 3.30 M ovie.The Card. 5.00 Frontier.1788-1830:They Must Alw ays Consider UsAs Enemies. 6.00 Landline. 6.30 Richard Morecroft GoesWild: N avy Seals. 7.00 ABC News. 7.30 BeingApril. 8.25 ABC News. 8.30 The Bill. 9.25 ABC News. 9.30 FabulousWomen:Marilyn.The Ultimate Investigation. 10.25 NightAnd Day 11.15 Spaced 11.40 Rage.
SEVEN 6.00 Scooby DooWhere A reYou? 6.30 Power Rangers:The Lost Galaxy.7.00 Saturd ay Disney.9.00 Short 10.00 Cuts.9.30 Disney’s Hercules.10.00 101 Dalmatians. 10.30 Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show. 11.00 Generation 7. 11.30 The Davis Cup - Live.Tie:Australia v India. 2.00 Sportswatch. 4.30 Sportswatch - Final Score. Live. With Bruce McAvaney. 5.00 TheWorldA round Us. 6.00 S even News. JenniferAdams. 6.30 Perfect Match. 7.30 M ovie. Honey, I Shrunk T h e Kids. 9 . 3 0 M ovie.The Silence Of T h e L a m b s . Jodie Foster, A n t h o ny Hopkins. 10.00 S even’s Match of the Round. 1.00 M ovie. Deuce Coupe.3.10 Victor Paul.5.10 Punky Brewster.5.35 Video Power.
NINE
TEN
SBS
C31
6.00 Thunderbirds.7.00 The Shapies. 7.30 Goodsports.8.00 Ketchup and theToothbrush Family.8.30 The Gift. 9.00 Outriders. 9.30 Detention. 10.00 Sheep InThe Big City.10.30 GiletteWorld Sport Special.11.00 Special: Life Beyond Earth. 1 2 . 0 0 Burke’s Backyard.1.00 Castaw ay. 2.00 Touched ByAnAngel.3.00 Premiere Special:MissTeen USA 2002. 5.00 EscapeWith ET.5.30 Postcards. 5.59 Keno.6.00 national Nine News. 6.30 australia’s Funniest HomeVideos. 7.00 Body + Soul. 7.30 JudgingA my. 8.30 M ovie.WildThings. 10.45 National Nine Newsbreak. 10.50 Special:Topless ButTasteful. 11.50 Rugby League Finals:Semi-Final No.1.1.50 Late Show With David Letterman.2.50 M ovie. Don’t Look N ow. 4.50 Nine Lives.5.00 Jesse Duplantis Ministeries.5.30 C refloA. Dollar Jr.
6.00 RobotWars 7.00 Horace andTina 7.30 The Big Cheez 9.00 TotallyWild 9.30 Video Hits 12.00 Bright Ideas 1.00 Harry andThe Hendersons 1.30 M ovie:The Swan Princess II 3.00 Totally Footy 3.30AFL Premeirship Season 2002 - Preliminary Finals. Collingwood v Adelaide. 7.00 Ten New s 7.30 AFL Premiership season 2002 P reliminary Finals. Brisbane v Po rt Adelaide. 11.25 SportsTonight. Coverage of all the day’s local,national and international sporting news. 11.55 Video Hits Uncut. 2.00 Home Shopping. 4.00 E Street.5.00 This IsYour Day With Benny Hinn.5.30 Christian CityT V.
5.00Weatherwatch.5.30 Japanese N ews.6.04 Cantonese News.6.25 Mandarin News.6.55 Telegiornale (Italian).7.30 DAS Journal.8.00 Ta NeaTon Ennea (Greek).9.00 Le Journal.9.30 S evodnia (Russian).10.00 Weatherwatch.10.10 Telediario. 11.00 Siaran Berita (Indonesian). 11.30 The Journal.12.00 Business Report.12.30 A rts On Saturd ay: Faust.2.25 A rts On Saturd ay:Australian Biograp hy: Jimmy Little.3.00 Sport:9th IAAFWorld Cup InAthletics.4.00 Sport:National Football League. 4.30 Speedweek.5.30 English Premier League Preview.6.00 The Movie Show.6.30 World News. 7.00 ToyotaWorld Sports.7.30 As It H appened:The Berlin Airlift. 8.30 Pizza. 9.00 South Park. 9.30 Jo h n Saffran’s Music Jambore e. 1 0 . 0 0 M ovie: Baby Cart In Peril.. 1 1 . 2 5 Fetching Shorts.11.58 Soccer. Live English Premier League. 2.00 Close.
12.00The Eastern Footy Show 1.00 G’d ay Maltaussies 2.00 Fishcam 4.30 Asian CommunityTleevision (Chinese) 5.30 Russ Kellet’s Melbourne (Music) 6.00 Melbourne Muso’s (Drum Lesson with Chris Quinlan) 6.30 Jaanz Live At Funkies.Talent Show. 7.00 Sports Page. 7.30 Public Hangings.A rts. 8.00 M Zone.Talent Show. 8.30 Chartbusting 80s. 80s music clips and cover bands hosted by Josie Perrelli. 9.30 Champagne Comedy. 10.00 A dd T V. 31 takes control of your remote control. 10.30 M ovie.The Perils of Pauline. 1947. Comedy/Bio. Betty Hutton. (Breakaw ay). 12.00 Fishcam.
6.00 Turn ‘Round Australia. 6.30 WorldView. 7.00 Primetime.8.00 Business Sunday.9.00 Sunday.11.00 The Sunday Footy Show. 1 2 . 0 0 Documentary: Island Sand, City Street.With Jamie Dunn.1.00 P aw s ‘n’All.1.30 M ovie.Tweety’s High Flying Adventure. 3.00 Rugby League Finals:Semi-Final No. 2.5.00 Documentary Special: Glenn Ridge Australia’s Lake Eyre.6.00 National Nine News. 6.30 Backyard Blitz. 7.00 Location, Location. 7.29 Keno. 7.30 60 Minutes. 8.30 M ovie. Drop Dead Gorgeous. 10.30 National Nine Newsbreak. 10.35 Dead Man’s Walk. Part 1. 1 . 1 0 L a t e S h ow w i t h D av i d Letterman. 2.10 British Open 2001 Official Film. 3.10 Nightman. 4.05 The Baron.5.00 Family & Friends. 5.30 Skippy -The Bush Kangaro o.
6.00 Mass ForYou At Home. 6.30 HillsongTelevision.7.00 The New A d ventures of Ocean Girl. 7 . 3 0 Thunderstone.8.00 TotallyWild.8.30 Video Hits.10.30 Pepsi Live - Music Show.11.00 Chilli Factor.11.30 Meet The Press.12.00 V8X.12.30 Xtreme 1.30 RPM.2.30 The 2002 Tri-State.1.30 Australian Safari.3.30 Trackside.5.00 Ten News.5.30 SportsTonight.6.00 Premiere.With Antonia Kidman. 6.30 The Simpsons 7.00 Everybody Loves Raymond. 7.30 AllAussieAdventures. 8.00 Becker. 8.30 M ovie. Mystery Men. 10.55 Ten Late Night News. 11.25 SportsTonight. 11.55 Moto GP. 2.55 Video Hits Filler. 3.00 H o m e Shopping.4.00 life InTheWo rd.4.30 Kenneth Copeland.5.00 Life Today with James Robison.5.30 This IsYour D ay with Benny Hinn.
5.00Weatherwatch.6.00Worldwatch. 6.01 L-ahbarijiet (Malta). 6.30 Pangunahing Balita (Manila). 7 . 0 0 Hungarian New s . 7 . 3 0 V i s ny k Ukrainy. 8.00Weatherwatch.8.55 Kalejdoskop (Polish). 9 . 3 0 Esta Semana (Chile).10.00 Italia news. 10.30 Documentary: Sydney 2000. 11.00 Sport: 9th IAAFWorld Cup Athletics.12.00 Sport:The World Game.2.00 Sport: FootballAsia.3.00 Soccer: European Champions League.4.00Western UnionWorld Football.4.30 Soccer: English Pre mier League Match of theWeek.6.00 The Business Show. 6 . 3 0 World N ews. 7.00 ToyotaWorld Sports. 7 . 3 0 Documentary:A History of Britain.8.35 Documentary:Promises. 9.05 Masterpiece:Two Thirds Sky. 10.05 Cinema Classics: Drama- Unholy Desire (in Japanese,English subtitles).1 . 4 0 Documentary Series: ReturnTo Wonderland.2.25 Close.
10.00 D avid Boske Ministeries.10.30 G’d ay Maltaussies.11.30 TV Sri Lanka. 12.00 Arab TV (Arabic). 1.00 A l Hadara (Arabic). 2.00 Insegna Media (Italian).2.30 Slovenian Magazine (Slovenian). 3.00 Waltzing Matila (Maltese).3.30 HungarianTelevision (Hungarian). 4.00 Tamil TV (Tamil).4.30 Tagata Polenisia (Samoan). 5.00 EntreTodos (Spanish). 5.30 Buone Notizie (Italian). 6 . 0 0 Good Evening Melbourne (Greek). 6.30 Zontas 100% (Greek). 7.00 Asian CommunityTV (Chinese). 8 . 0 0 G re e k C o m munity Affairs (Greek). 8.30 TV Hellas Sunday Greek Movie (Greek). 10.00 C roatian Program (Croatian). 10.30 Bizce Boyle (Turkish). 11.00 Wo rd of Life. 11.30 Fishcam
Sunday, September 22
ABC-TV Pr ograms for Programs Sunda Sundayy, September 22 not to hand, when we went to press.
Check programs at: w w w.abc.net/au/tv/guides/ guides.htm.
6.00 One.6.30 The Bishop,The Chef, andThe Fisherman. 7.00 Wipeout.7.30 L’il Horrors. 8.00 Sunday Sunrise. 9.30 Sportsworld. 10.30 Rex Hunt’s Footy Panel. 11.00 The Davis Cup - Live.Tie:Australia v India. 2.00 Sportswatch - Live. 4.30 Sportswatch -Final Score. 5.00 Rex Hunt FishingAdventures. 5.30 Discover. 6.00 S even News. JenniferAdams. 6.30 Harry’s Practice. 7.00 Surprise Chef. 7.30 Alw ays Greener. 8.30 M ovie. 11.25 M ovie.The Champ. 1.55 NBCToday. 2.55 NBC MeetThe Press. 3.55 Victor Paul. 5.05 Punky Brewster. 5.35 Video Power.