First Nations Media Australia | January 2024 Newsletter

Dear FNMA Community,

Welcome back to 2024!

As we begin this year, First Nations Media Australia are excited to reconnect in new ways with our deadly community of media practitioners, advocates and supporters.

As CONVERGE showed, the past year in First Nations Media has showcased yet again, a high level of resilience, innovation and impact within our media. In 2024, First Nations Media Australia are poised for greater connectivity, creativity and autonomy.

This year, as our sector looks to continue elevating the discourse and representation of First Nations Media in media, we are excited to embark on another year of First Nations Storytelling.

In 2024, you can expect to hear big ticket items from each of our head projects and we're excited to share the progress with you as the year unfolds.

To our members, sponsors, contributors, and staff, thank you for your unwavering support, dedication, and passion for First Nations voices in media.

May the new year be filled with First Nations Stories!

First Nations Media Australia - the national peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media - has appointed Wally Tallis as the Interim CEO, following the departure of Dr Shane Hearn.

Wally Tallis is of Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Island descent with family connections to the Birri Gubba peoples of North Queensland. He currently serves as Chairperson of Triple AAA - one of Australia’s leading Indigenous Radio stations and media organisations, based in Meanjin (Brisbane). Wally has a wealth of experience, supported by extensive networks in the Government sector, holding several Senior Executive roles across multiple First Nations portfolios in Queensland and national Government agencies for over 30 years.

Wally has worked in various communities from remote, regional and urban with a strong commitment to building on the strengths of our communities to greater improve outcomes that focus on social, cultural, environmental and economic advancement for our people. Throughout his career Wally has made forming and sustaining genuine and impactful relationships and partnerships that focus on putting First Nations people at the centre of any decision making a priority and strength of his leadership.

Wally currently serves on multiple Boards which speaks to his ability to lead with strong governance leadership and an ability to influence and drive real change, supporting First Nations agendas across the broader Australian Corporate and Government sectors.

Reflecting on his upbringing and family and community connections, Wally’s career has been shaped by his passion and determination to achieve culturally connected and culturally effective outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Self-empowerment and sustainability is a focus for Wally, and ensuring positive change that is led by and for First Nations people is a priority for the future continues to drives his intent with any role.

“Our people and communities having a voice through our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media sector that is consistent, informative and actively supports truth-telling, will continue to push First Nations agendas in this country. I am honoured to support FNMA and the legacies of their member organisations to become more visible than ever throughout the Australian media landscape.” - Wally Tallis.

First Nations Media Australia Board of Directors welcome the Interim CEO’s leadership to the role, with a particular focus on his urgency to amplify the sector’s 9 Calls to Action and eagerness to build on sector membership.

The FNMA Board commend staff for their efforts in navigating recent changes and challenges, whilst supporting full operations of the organisation and delivery of various projects and initiatives within the Peak Body. Too, the Board thank FNMA staff for supporting an appropriate Interim recruitment process to ensure FNMA employees and members feel support with new leadership.

First Nations Media Australia Board look forward to working with the CEO over the coming months to set out priorities for 2024 including a focus on building on opportunities for sector engagement and government and corporate relationships that will actively support the sustainability of our First Nations media sector for the future.

It's with a mix of emotions that we share news about Shane Hearn's decision to step down from his role as CEO of First Nations Media Australia. Shane has been a driving force, steering our organization toward positive change within the First Nations media sector.

After careful consideration, Shane has chosen to conclude his service, with his last day set for December 14, 2023. We respect and support his choice, recognizing that this marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of new opportunities for both Shane and our organization.

Throughout his tenure, Shane has overseen growth, resilience, and increased impact for First Nations Media Australia. His commitment to fostering collaboration, amplifying Indigenous voices, and advocating for the rights of First Nations media practitioners has left a lasting impact.

As we bid farewell to Shane, we express sincere gratitude for his unwavering commitment and numerous contributions. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

The Board will initiate a thoughtful search for the next CEO to ensure a smooth transition. During this period, [Interim Measures/Point of Contact] will manage responsibilities to maintain stability and support ongoing initiatives.

We extend appreciation to all members, stakeholders, and staff for their continued support and commitment to the vision of First Nations Media Australia.

First Nations Media Australia successfully lodged its submission to Ministers Rowlands (Minister for Communications) and Burnie (Minister for Indigenous Australians) as part of Federal Treasury’s 2024/2025 Federal ‘Pre-Budget’ process last week.

FNMA have been working closely with key sector stakeholders and funding bodies in the preparation of the 24/25 submission, which calls for a doubling of First Nations Media and Communications funding to $40M per year, particularly the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Arts (DITRCA) and Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA). The CBAA pre-budget submission for First Nations Broadcasting, Communication and Media mirrors FNMA’s.

FNMA’s submission proposes the 9 Calls to Action as the basis for funding increase, with the most significant (an increase of $9.5M) called for in Operational, Employment and Organisational Infrastructure funding across the sector.

Broadly, the FNMA and CBAA submissions propose this funding increase would:

• Make the First Nations media sector more financially sustainable.

• Honor First Nation’s Media Australia’s (FNMA) 9 Calls to Action (2018) - with theadditional Action developed to close the gap in digital inclusion.

• Contribute to the Government’s objectives in Closing the Gap (particularly Outcomes 16 & 17).

• Consolidate and expand First Nations media operations and employment.

• Align with Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) and National Cultural Policy Revive

• Meet the expectations of the First Nations broadcasting, communication and media workforce and audience.

The final submission will be published on the FNMA website and is available HERE.

Since October 2023, the InDigiMOB team has continued to provide workshops to communities across Australia. After 3 weeks of intensive planning, the team travelled to four communities in the APY Lands and delivered the Cord Digital Skills and digital literacy workshops to Anangu people residing in Fregon, Mimili, Indulkana, and Amata before heading to the Converge 2023 held in Canberra.

Currently, the InDigiMOB team is in the initial stages of preparing to implement our 2024 program in 9 communities in South Australia and the Northern Territory. The InDigiMOB team continues to promote workshops and raise awareness among First Nations people across Australia about the work we do and who we are.

For Invasion Day, indigiTUBE is partnered with Songlines Aboriginal Music to live stream this years "Share the Sprit" concert from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl in Melbourne Vic on January 26th, 2024.

Share the Spirit was presented by Songlines returns for another year as the state's largest and longest running Indigenous festival. This event provides a moment of togetherness as we share this time to respect the survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture

There were dozens of acts on the lineup, including Bart Willougby's reggae rock group No Fixed Address, roots veterans Coloured Stone, Mutti Mutti songwriter Kutcha Edwards, Wiradjuri woman and electronic producer Naretha Williams and Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung singer/songwriter Carissa Nyalu.

Interested in working with First Nations Media Australia, well FNMA has job opportunities available right now!

The FNMA is calling for Expressions of Interest in training FN people to become multi-media journalists.

This competency-based training includes practical and theoretical training in news, photography, audio and video production techniques.

Over a 6 month period, there will be a one hour weekly Master Class session conducted by professionals in their field: photography, photojournalism, and news gathering techniques (research, sourcing, interviewing, media law, editorial).

Trainees will also attend a 5-day training session in audio and video production techniques at Batchelor Institute.

Trainees will be expected to submit weekly Assignments for assessment in order to receive a Certificate of Attainment for the relevant Units of Competency.

Once the training is completed, Reporters will be expected to produce regular news and current affairs reports, which will be featured on IndigiTube and Social media.

If you are interested, please go to the Expressions of Interest online form and nominate a person who you consider will benefit from this training.

Contact Operations Manager Donna Woods for more information, and if you are interested in the positions available. FNMA looks forward to hearing from you!

GOOLARRI MEDIA

Goolarri is Hiring!!

Goolarri Media have 2 new exciting opportunities available in 2024 and are now welcoming expressions of interest for 2 new positions, General Manager and Head of Productions. If you are interested or want to know more about these fantastic positions at Goolarri, click here.

FB BROADCASTING

FB Broadcasting Visit

Auntie Annie and the internationally famous Shellie Morris, the Borroloola ladies, drop in for a First Nations National Radio chat.

TRIPLE A x QUEENSLAND UNI OF TECHNOLOGY (QUT)

Triple A collaboration with QUT

QUT Indigenous Australian Accommodation Scholarship is now open! If you are mob and are thinking about relocating to study at QUT, this scholarship could be for you. Read More.

Video produced by Triple A

TSIMA

TSIMA is Hiring - BROADCASTER WANTED!

Are you interested in working in your local community radio station? provide information to your community and/or the region? Telling stories, preserve and promote our language and culture through media? Radio 4DI Erub is on the lookout for a dynamic individual to join our team as a Broadcaster. For More information, click here.