First Nations Media News March 2022

especially the Koori Mail, whose building and workplace was lost and to NIRS and Triple-A who were also affected by the deluge. I also send our best wishes to all of those affected by the recent devastating floods in Queensland and NSW, especially the Koori Mail, whose building and workplace was lost and to NIRS and Triple-A who were also affected by the deluge. We wish you a speedy recovery and will help in any way FNMA can to assist you in that process.

It's been a busy time for everyone here at FNMA as we begin planning for the year ahead. We are pleased to announce that the postponed 2021 CONVERGE will now be held online in June. The AGM and Media Awards will be held on 22 April with Board nominations still open for interested people to become a Director. Please contact the FNMA office for eligibility details. FNMA will work to hold the 2022 event this November in Alice Springs, depending on restrictions imposed by Covid-19, we plan on this being in-person. FNMA is still looking into the viability of a Remote Media Festival and will keep you updated about that in the future.

The Above & Beyond report commissioned by FNMA was released earlier this year and is a study of First Nations Media and the Covid-19 pandemic and, the important work First Nations Media organisations are doing. The report has gained widespread attention and FNMA will look at expanding the report further to collect data and information pertaining to the First Nations media sector. You can read the Above & Beyond here.

FNMA continues to work towards partnering with other media organisations to create future opportunities for our members and I will go into more details as we progress and sign off on those agreements. Admittedly, we are in the early stages of discussions but look set to have some exciting news for you in future newsletters.

We are still working in partnership with AIATSIS to move into FNMA’s new premises in the Todd Mall by June/July of this year and if all goes well the Archiving Project will be in before the rest of the team to continue the important work they are doing to preserve the materials created by you, our members, over the years.

In February, I travelled to Sydney to meet with many of our stakeholders and partners and potential new collaborators and it was a successful trip. I think it’s important, that after 2 years of isolation we try and meet again in person with our stakeholders and members to rebuild partnerships to carry on the work that has been achieved in that period so I hope I get to meet as many of you as I can in the coming months. Stay safe and talk soon.

The Australian Government has released a Media Policy Statement responding to a Green Paper consultation process last year about television broadcasting and regional journalism. FNMA made a submission in May 2021 highlighting the support needed for public interest journalism and First Nations content production. The response outlines plans to:

establish a $10million Journalism Fund;
standardise Australian content reporting requirements;
establish a Create Australian Screen Trust (CAST) with two funding pools focused on projects of cultural significance and commercial investments; and
Establish a Future of Broadcasting Working Group to contribute to policy development aimed to modernise free-to-air television services.

FNMA will continue seeking opportunities for our members to apply for cadetships and content production support through forthcoming grant processes. Read the statement here.

Mirndiyan Gununa Art and Culture Centre on Gununa/Mornington Island has a strong history of performance and visual art and craft of the Lardil, Yaangkal and Kaidilt First Nations.

FNMA Digitisation Coordinator and Lardil man Steve Hodder Watt visited his island home recently and inspected the analogue archives that need to be digitised before Deadline 2025, including VHS tapes featuring news clips of the MI dance troupe.

Steve also visited the Papulu Apparr-kari Aboriginal Corporation in Tennant Creek on the way back from Mount Isa. The team there have an established audio/visual digitisation suite and have commenced magnetic media digitisation. Support is being provided with transferring content that can be organised for analogue-magnetic media that needs specialised equipment being used in the FNMA offices.

Please contact Steve Hodder-Watt for more information.

FNMA is looking for people working within First Nations media organisations to join the Community Reporter network.

The FNMA News Initiative is a result of a long-term objective in First Nations media:
· To support the production of quality community news by engaging and training Community Reporters in First Nations media organisations to extend their media skills; and
· to distribute this news through the First Nations media network, giving media organisations a broader choice of news stories to share with audiences. Read more

Expressions of interest are open from 4-25 March 2022 through this simple form.

If you would like further information or assistance with completing the Expression of Interest, contact our Initiative Support Officer, Reece Lamshed on 0403 219 299 or via email here.

Arrernte Community Boxing Academy (ACBA) is an Indigenous program offering various avenues of functional fitness for all fitness levels including general fitness and boxercise classes, competition boxing for beginner and elite level, and KUNGAS KLASS.

Our Membership & Executive Support Officer, Stephanie Stone is one of the founders of ACBA, and a participant in the KUNGAS KLASS, which is designed for women only and is a very popular and evolving part of their program.

“Initially the Academy was formed as a boxing focus program only, preparing boxers for competition events etc., but overtime the Academy moved toward a more community inclusive and focused program,” said Stephanie.

When Stephanie is not at the ACBA, she is working hard at FNMA to provide support and guidance to any of our members if needed. You can contact Stephanie here.

Congratulations to indigiTUBE team member Donna Woods on being selected for the Future Leaders, Australia Council of the Arts development program. The Australia Council has announced the 54 participants of its leadership programs that invest in emerging, mid-career and established creative practitioners both in Australia and across the Indo-Pacific.

"I'm actually really humbled to be included in this amazing group of Australian and International Future Leaders within the creative and cultural industries. I know I'm going to be thoroughly inspired as I learn more about them all and the work they're

It was Safer Internet Day on Tuesday Feb 8. The theme for this year was #PlayitFairOnline.

inDigiMOB has been working with our partner organisations to understand what eSafety issues they experience in their communities. This will help us know what resources and information we need to provide as part of our activities.

If your organisation wants to learn more about eSafety contact us at indigimob@firstnationsmedia.org.au or check out the eSafety Commissioner website - http://esafety.gov.au/

Our hearts are with the Bundjalung communities currently being impacted by the flood disaster. Our member, the Koori Mail is WHOLLY owned by five Bundjalung Aboriginal community organisations:

- Bundjalung Tribal Society at Lismore;
- Bunjum Co-operative at Cabbage Tree Island;
- Buyinbin Co-operative at Casino;
- Kurrachee Cooperative at Coraki; and
- Nungera Co-operative at Maclean.

Can you help? Click on the GoFundMe link to donate.

To keep up-to-date with the impact on Bundjalung Country, head over the the Koori Mail's Facebook page.

Join the CMTO Summer of Learning! Enrol in CMTO's FREE self-paced online courses to help you hone your skills in preparation for a big 2022.

You can choose from these three courses or if you’re super keen, do them all!

Media Law for Broadcasters
Health and Safety at your Station
Creating Radio Content Remotely

Created by the Community Media Training Organisation’s expert team of trainers and assessors these online self-paced courses are easy to access and fun to complete. To enrol, click here

Untapped is a breakthrough talent development program for undiscovered and historically excluded Australian screenwriters and directors. The program, which includes masterclasses from visionary filmmakers who are boldly breaking down industry barriers and mentorship from internationally successful and high-profile production companies, is designed to give emerging Australian screenwriters and
directors the education and access needed to fast track their careers and their projects. For more information and to apply, click here.

This is your opportunity to check out the amazing art from 30 First Nations artists from across the country.

The 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony curated by Hetti Perkins, Arrernte and Kalkadoon peoples, and a team of curators at the National Gallery in Kamberri/Canberra, opens on 26 March and runs until 31 July 2022 before touring nationally. Ngambri/Ngunnawal Traditional Custodians Dr Aunty Matilda House and her son, Paul Girrawah House, will create their work in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden with the traditional practice of tree scarring. They will be joined by more than 30 First Nations artists from around Australia to showcase their art in Ceremony.

Ceremony, as a word and act, has been an integral to First Nations people since time immemorial, and continues to be today. READ MORE