General news
14 March, 2025
The Colour Revolution: 50 Years of TV in West Wyalong
Sue Scriven reflects on 50 years since the first colour TV at her father Fred's shop in West Wyalong.
MARCH 1, 1975, marks a monumental milestone in Australian television history: the arrival of colour TV in the land down under. But for the folks in West Wyalong, this technological leap wasn’t just a date on a calendar – it was the culmination of years of local innovation, thanks to Fred Bleyer and his family-run business, Fred’s TVs.
In 1971, four years earlier, Fred was already ahead of the game and showcasing the first colour television in Australia. Fred’s TV in West Wyalong became the first local business to showcase the magic of colour television. With vibrant shades replacing the familiar black-and-white static, it was nothing short of a revelation for the residents of the small town.
Fred, who opened Fred's TVs in 1961 on Main Street, was a trailblazer. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to his community, Fred and his family worked tirelessly to keep the shop at the heart of the town. He continued running the business, offering the latest in-home entertainment, right up until he was 80 years old.
"Back in those days, when we got the first colour TV, you could see the excitement in the people's faces," said Fred’s daughter, Susan Scriven, who took over the store when her father retired. “Locals would buy ice cream and gather outside the shop window just to watch the colour come to life on screen. You could literally see the colour in their eyes as they watched— it was incredible!”
Fred’s TV was a staple in the town, not just for its cutting-edge technology, but for the way it became part of the community’s fabric. The Bleyers didn’t just sell TVs, they created experiences. Over the years, Fred’s store hosted musical performances, including Col Joye and Winnie Atwell, turning the space into a local entertainment hub.
“We were known for the way we treated everyone. My dad always made sure that no one was made to feel less than anyone else,” Susan recalled. “He was involved in a lot of local groups and sponsorships, and we were even the proud sponsor of the West Wyalong Advocate TV Guide for many years."
In 1970, Fred’s TV joined the Retravision network, expanding its reach and reputation as the go-to place for all things TV and electronics. The Bleyers sold everything from stereograms the size of tables to LPs, cassettes, CDs, and even the hefty phones of the 80s that were almost as big as a brick.
“TV was really our bread and butter, though. And when colour came in, it was a gamechanger. It changed the way people saw the world,” said Susan. "It was such an exciting time for all of us. People had never seen anything like it."
Fred’s TVs, however, faced the same challenges as many family businesses, and by 2006, the store went under. It was replaced by a Harvey Norman franchise, and eventually, even that store closed its doors in 2020, leaving a void in the town that remains unfilled.
Susan, who had worked alongside her father for years, made history in her own right, becoming the oldest Harvey Norman Admin Manager at 75 years old.
"The store is gone, and it hasn't been replaced in the town," Susan said with a touch of nostalgia.
“It’s sad. We were such a big part of the community for so long.”
Yet, looking back, the Bleyer family’s legacy is still alive in the memories of those who remember the golden days of colour TV. It wasn’t just about the technology – it was about bringing people together, offering them a space to gather and experience something new and exciting.
“Back then, life was simpler,” Susan mused. “It was a time of real connection. People didn’t just watch TV; they lived it together. And that’s something I’ll always cherish.”
As Australia celebrates 50 years of colour TV, the town of West Wyalong remembers Fred Bleyer’s pioneering spirit, which forever changed the way locals watched the world unfold.
“It was an amazing time,” Susan smiled. "We were lucky to be part of something so special."
Read More: West Wyalong
