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2018 was a productive year for First Nations Media Australia and we thank you for keeping in touch with us through all of our developments throughout the year.

  • We started the year as IRCA and re-branded as First Nations Media Australia in August, the new name selected by members to reflect our role as the national peak body for our industry.
  • We ran two national conference events, CONVERGE Brisbane in March, co-hosted by BIMA 989FM and CONVERGE Sydney in November, co-hosted by Gadigal Information Service - Home of Koori Radio. More about that further on.
  • We launched the new indigiTUBE platform, ran a series of webinars, expanded the inDigiMOB project and got together to endorse a Digital Inclusion Strategy at the Broadband For The Bush Indigenous Focus Day.
  • We developed 9 Calls for Action to move our sector forward on the basis of discussions at our various events and we took those calls for action to Canberra where we highlighted the Our Media Matters campaign to our elected representatives. And that’s just the headlines!

It has been great to share all of this work with you throughout the year and we thank-you for your support and your contribution to our sector, big or small. Our team will be taking a well-earned break over the Christmas period.

Please note our office will be closed between 12noon on Friday 21st December and 9am on Thursday 3rd January.

We wish you and your family all the best for Christmas and we look forward to working with you in 2019!

FIRST NATIONS MEDIA NEWS
CONVERGE Sydney
CONVERGE Sydney was a great success thanks to a team effort from our co-hosts, Gadigal Information Services - Home of Koori Radio, our production team (shout-out to Pre!), our events sponsors and the over 165 delegates from 58 organisations who travelled from around Australia to join us on Gadigal country. Thank-you! We had two packed days of workshops, policy discussions and planning for the future direction of our sector. Those productive sessions have left both First Nations Media Australia, stations and stakeholders with quite a to-do list! We will be publishing a detailed Outcomes Report from the conference in the new year.
The conference wrapped up with a fantastic celebration of the talent in our sector at the inaugural First Nations Media Awards and launch of the new indigiTUBE platform. Congratulations to all of the nominees for awards this year, there were some amazing projects put forward for recognition. The full list of shortlisted entries and winners can be viewed on our website here.
There has been a lot of excitement about indigiTUBE surrounding the launch, so a big thank-you to all of the media outlets who have featured stories on your radio programs and papers about both indigiTUBE and the First Nations Media Award. It’s great to see the momentum of these activities rippling out to our communities so audiences know what’s happening in our media industry.
If you attended CONVERGE Sydney and haven’t submitted feedback yet, please take approximately 7 minutes to complete our feedback survey. We’re already making plans for CONVERGE Alice Springs in 2019 and your input is really valuable.
View photos from CONVERGE Sydney on our Facebook or Flickr pages.
Feel free to tag yourself in any pictures!
Upcoming events
Preparations for our two major events in 2019 are already underway. Please note these dates in your calendars and budgets when you’re planning for 2019:

  • 22-27 September - Remote Indigenous Media Festival - Waiben/Thursday Island, Queensland
  • 27-29 November - CONVERGE Alice Springs - Mparntwe/Alice Springs

A full list of key dates for 2019 will be available on our website early in the new year.
People on the move
The First Nations Media Australia AGM and Board elections was held on 23rd November at CONVERGE Sydney. Two Board members stepped down having served maximum terms and we thank Daisy O’Byrne and Sylvia Tabua for their contribution over the past four years. Elizabeth Katakarinja opted not to stand for re-election and we also thank her for her service. Dot West was re-appointed to the Board for another term and will continue as Chair of our organisation. We thank Dot for her continuing work.

We are pleased to welcome back two familiar faces to our Board! John ’Tadam’ Lockyer and Jenni Enosa have both been on our Board of Directors in years past and are long-term contributors to our sector. We’re looking forward to having their expertise as part of our leadership team. The First Nations Media Australia Board is now: Dot West, Tanya Orman, Victor Weetra, Nelson Conboy, Jen Enosa and John ’Tadam’ Lockyer. Our Constitution allows for up to nine Directors, so the Board has co-opted Vince Coulthard as an additional Board member contributing to the governance of our organisation.

Expressions of Interest - Are you our next CEO?
As part of our succession planning processes, we are calling for Expressions of Interest in the CEO position at First Nations Media Australia with a view to transitioning in 2019. So if you’re looking for a new challenge, or you know somebody else who might be able to lead our team with guidance from our Board - send them this way!
You can view our job ad here and/or email Jenny Nixon at asstmgr@firstnationsmedia.org.au for a full position description. Applications close on 19 January 2019.

Two other positions available:

If you’re not ready to lead our sector, but you would like to join our team, we are also recruiting for an Industry Development & Member Services Officer and an Events & Fundraising Officer. We’re interested in building career pathways within our own organisation, as well as the broader First Nations media sector. So talk to us about your career goals and ideas and how they might connect with the roles we have available. We have some flexibility for the right candidate. Knowledge of the First Nations media industry is an advantage, but not essential. We can provide on-the-job training and mentoring. Call our office for a chat with Jenny.

#OURMEDIAMATTERS
"It’s really important that we train up the next generation, so they can carry on all the good work that our Media Workers have done since the 1980s. Media captures our memories of today and preserves them for tomorrow. Through radio programs and video productions, our next generation will be able to connect with the roots of our culture for many years to come."

- Valerie Martin, PAW Media
THE INDIGITUBE PULSE
Place of Dreams FT Ecca Vandal arrives ahead of a huge year for Bad Apples Music, announcing their partnership with Universal Music Australia to offer a platform for excellence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.

The new release from BIRDZ tells of limitations laid down by others and ultimately having the strength to believe in oneself. Leading with the explosive vocal prowess of Ecca Vandal, the single flows with production by Trials and Birdz’ raw rap. CHECK IT!
indigiTUBE is for you mob. Share our language and culture. Upload your music, radio show or video. Get your own channel and show us your goods!
We're super excited for the most recent update of our apps. You can now download content to your device for offline streaming. If you haven't got the app already, download today on GOOGLE PLAY or APPLE APP STORE.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Welcome to our newest members:
We are pleased to welcome the following individuals and organisations as members of First Nations Media Australia this month:

  • Midwest Aboriginal Media Association (Radio MAMA)
  • Cherbourg Radio (Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council)
  • Christina Collier-Bond (Senior Broadcaster, Cherbourg Radio)
  • Gemma Merritt (MAMA Committee member)
  • Adam Evans (NIRS Chief of Staff)
  • Marissa McDowell (Producer, Black and White Films)
  • Robbie Thorpe (Programmer, 3CR Melbourne)
  • Chris Graham (NIRS General Manager)
  • William Martin (Producer, Podcast Factory)
  • 3CR Community Radio

It's great to have you on board!
Christmas spirit hits 3KND
The 3KND team have been out and about in Melbourne during the festive season doing OBs from the Carols in All Nations Park, the Aboriginal Community Elders Service Christmas Fete and celebrating the Elders Christmas Luncheon at the Aborigines League. Check out their Facebook page for photos of all their festivities!
The PY Media team has put their learnings at the podcast workshop at CONVERGE into action right away!
They are excited to announce that they are starting a Podcast Project, researching stories about BUFFEL GRASS.

To help them with their search they are reaching out and asking you what you experience is with BUFFEL GRASS? What changes have you seen? Talk to us about the good and bad things?

With your stories PY Media wants to produce a 3 part Podcast series about Buffel Grass.
PAKAM held another successful workshop at the hub in Broome on 26th November till 30th December 2018 with their AGM which was held on Thursday 29th November. Participants from all over attended the radio production workshop from Balgo, Looma, Billiluna, Ardyaloon, Beagle Bay, Bidyadanga, Warmun and Kalumburu.

The PAKAM hub was filled with busy media workers enjoying the workshop and producing radio content for their RIBS stations back home.
INDUSTRY NEWS
inDigiMOB 2018 WRAP-UP
inDigiMOB has made a productive start to its 3rd Project Year, building on the solid results of Project Year 2, and engaging our partners, mentors and community participants to strengthen people’s digital skills and improve digital inclusion in the NT.

We have engaged with 15 town camps and remote NT communities through targeted contractor-facilitated workshops, and through the digital activities and development that our valuable remote partners skilfully undertake.

We have also made progress in bringing the issue of remote Aboriginal peoples’ digital inclusion to the fore by collaborating with various national events and activities and promoting our work and participant’s stories via news and social media.

We would like to sincerely thank you, our supporters, and our key partners, Tangentyere Council, PAW Media and ARDS, and also our funder, Telstra. We’d also like to wish you all a safe and very merry Christmas and happy New Year!

Key numbers from July 2018 to Dec 2018:
  • 1072 workshop participations
  • 496 new individuals impacted
  • 36 Digital Mentors employed
  • 48 App downloads (21 App Store, 27 Google Play)
Draft targets: Closing the Gap Refresh
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is calling for feedback on a revised framework which includes 15 draft targets, accountabilities and reporting requirements aimed to monitor closing the gap progress. Although the draft targets don’t reference the role of media, communications and digital inclusion, we continue to view the activities of our sector as key enablers supporting the realisation of all targets and desired outcomes outlined in the framework. This view was put forward in our submission to the process in April. The draft targets can be viewed here.
OPPORTUNITIES
2019 NAIDOC Award Nominations Now Open
The National NAIDOC Committee invites nominations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have contributed their talents, skills, ideas and lives to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These Awards are an opportunity to recognise individuals from our communities.
Nominations are open now & closes Friday 29 March 2019 at 5:00pm (AEDT).
The Koori Mail is offering First Nations Media Australia members discounted rates on one and two-year subscriptions.

Just fill in this form and send it through to the Koori Mail subscription office via mail, fax or email (details on the form) before 1st March 2019.

This offer is available to all First Nations Media Australia membership categories, for organisations and individuals.

The Koori Mail is also offering the opportunity to WIN a one-year subscription just by sharing your thoughts on why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media matters. Share their Facebook post and include the hashtag #OURMEDIAMATTERS for your chance to win.

Institute of Community Directors Australia have been focussed on providing leadership opportunities to the most underrepresented sectors of the community along side with Trawalla Foundation. Apply now and be apart of a new movement of governance leaders in 2019.
FUNDING
CBF Quick Response Grants
The Community Broadcasting Foundation is now offering quick response grants throughout the year to address emergencies that risk discontinued transmission or operations, or to support organisations to respond to time-limited opportunities that may arise without notice. Visit the CBF website for eligibility requirements and funding conditions.
ABA Funding is available to Indigenous organisations in the Northern Territory for projects that provide lasting benefits for Aboriginal people living and working in remote areas.
Applications are open now Close 1 February 2019
The Honda Foundation provides funding across a range of social and environmental issues, including promotion of innovation and new technologies. They also have a 12-month loan vehicle program which includes registration, insurance and servicing costs for up to 20 loan cars at any one time.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS 8 FEBRUARY 2019.
Indigenous Languages and Arts, Grant Program
The Program is to support a professional, viable and ethical Indigenous languages and arts network that features strong participation and provides for economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
APPLICATIONS 11 February 2019 11:30 pm
FOLLOW US
 
FIRST NATIONS MEDIA AUSTRALIA
2/70 Elder St,
PO Box 2731 Alice Springs NT 0871
comms@firstnationsmedia.org.au |  firstnationsmedia.org.au | 08 8952 6465



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