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First Nations people from all over the country celebrated NAIDOC Week (8-15 July) with special events and acknowledgements of women in their regions doing great work. The 2018 theme focused on acknowledging strong women: Because of Her, we Can.

Our Assistant Manager, Jennifer Nixon travelled to Sydney for the National NAIDOC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Conference (11-12 July) which was proudly hosted by Ngiyani and Project Managed by Christine Ross Consultancy. NSW Transport provided a free bus service which enabled all attendees to be transported to the Conference.

The two day event started each day with Welcome to Country by the Traditional Elders: Bidjigal people, Eora Nation and Warada Dancers. This was followed by presentations from some incredible female speakers who epitomised the theme and shared their own personal journey. There was a Gala Dinner at the Royal Randwick Racecourse Ballroom which showcased Aboriginal designers and models, along with entertainment from The Merindas performing songs from the Sapphires movie. A great night was had by all!

Thursday's program included a visit from Hollywood actor, Danny Glover who spoke about the love, respect and strength his mother had provided as a role model for him growing up.

Jenni then attended the NAIDOC Awards at the International Convention Centre as a guest of NITV who covered the whole conference and broadcast the awards night live on SBS.
CONVERGE SYDNEY
EARLYBIRD REGISTRATIONS OPEN
Keeping the momentum going from CONVERGE Brisbane, the IRCA team is busy preparing the biggest gathering of First Nations media organisations and practitioners from across the country to date. The November event program is taking form, including a closing night celebration to launch the First Nations Media Awards and the new indigiTUBE site. We've got some exciting live acts to announce, so watch this space!

Earlybird registrations are open now to join us in Sydney, 21-23 November, 2018. Get in quick for discounted rates and to secure travel subsidies for your delegates.

#convergesyd18 #ourmediaempowers

AWARDS NOMINATIONS OPEN
At the 2018 CONVERGE First Nations Media National Conference we will be launching the inaugural First Nations Media Awards. The Awards celebrate the ongoing strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait voices in our media landscape and the contribution of people making our media happen across the country. Award categories recognise the achievements of our content makers and the trainers, technicians, innovators and organisations that support them. The First Nations Media Awards acknowledges media workers from up and coming trainees to lifetime achievements. Know somebody doing a great job at your organisation? Nominate them!
IRCA NEWS
FAREWELL >> HELLO
This month we bid a sad goodbye to Susan Locke. Susan has been a fantastic contributor to the IRCA team as our Policy & Research Officer and we can't thank her enough for her passionate work in advocating for First Nations media at every opportunity. Susan is stepping away from IRCA to spend more time with her family and chickens in retirement and has many projects lined up to keep her busy. We wish Susan all the very best!

With Susan leaving some big shoes to fill, we welcome Claire Stuchbery to the team as our new Policy & Strategic Communications Officer. IRCA members might recognise Claire from her previous work at the Community Broadcasting Foundation (CBF) and 4PeopleMedia, a sponsorship agency specialising in community media. Claire brings experience in community media with a background that includes business development, communications and training. Claire has attended many IRCA events and is looking forward to contributing her skills to the First Nations media sector.
Indigenous Procurement Policy & Supply Nation Webinar
IRCA will host a webinar on Wednesday 8th August for First Nations broadcasting and media organisations interested in learning more about the government's IPP and Supply Nation processes. Representatives from the Department of Prime Minister & Cabinet and Supply Nation will provide advice on registering and answer your questions.
indigiTUBE gets ready to go LIVE
We’re getting excited in the lead up to the new indigiTUBE media platform going live in September. If you want to get involved and promote your media content, indigiTUBE will be hosting a 'How to Contribute to indigiTUBE' webinar on Wednesday 29 August. Webinar registration notice will be sent out early August. Stay up to date and make sure you’re following us on facebook and instagram.
Policy developments...
IRCA delegates will be taking 9 calls for action to Canberra in August, addressing Labor's First Nations Caucus directly, delivering a media conference from Parliament House and speaking to MPs and staff at a Parliamentary Briefing.

The calls for action were identified at Converge in Brisbane earlier this year and in consultation with the sector over the past year.
Details of the 9 calls for action can be downloaded individually from our website.
#ourmediamatters
Advocacy activities
IRCA has been pleased with the results of our recent submissions urging that First Nations media organisations are eligible for new funding opportunities recently made available through the CBF and ACMA. These funding programs will support community journalism and news delivery in regional areas. First Nations media organisations can now apply for support through ACMA's Innovation Fund. See the funding section below for more information.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
NOONGAR RADIO CANVAS TRIBUTE
Noongar Radio paid tribute to the Yorgas (women) of Noongar Radio during NAIDOC Week with an opening ceremony for the Community Canvas. The piece was created in conjunction with Curtin University’s Centre for Aboriginal Studies and Noongar Human Rights lawyer and academic, Hannah McGlade.
NAIDOC on Channel 4
Up in the top end, Radio Larrakia produced fifteen radio and television segments featuring Aboriginal women; community leaders who are inspirational in their tireless work in First Nations communities across Australia.

See their story on Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Kath Walker here.
INDUSTRY NEWS
For our sector technicians....
Transmitter for sale by public tender
ARDS have an AM transmitter and mast for sale, currently situated at the Broadcast Australia site at Ludmilla, NT. The transmitter, mast, antenna, satellite dish and associated equipment are offered for either as a job lot ‘going concern’, or for individual sale.  Retention in situ is an option (subject to Broadcast Australia approval). Removal of the mast will require the purchaser to make good the site in accordance with Broadcast Australia requirements. The tender document and further information can be obtained by emailing andrew.eastick@ards.com.au or calling 0419 208 102.
Tender closes: 4pm (CST) on Wednesday 22 August, 2018.

DIY broadcast coverage testing
AVW Group is now offering a hireable do-it-yourself mobile and drive testing unit to help stations identify poor coverage areas and to assist with the production of reports for regulatory authorities and funding submissions. The portable kit comes in a suitcase and allows GPS plotting, real-time parameter readouts, the capture of individual or multiple frequencies and decoder/stereo presence monitoring.  
Learning opportunity: G Suite
Technorama and the CMTO are co-hosting a webinar on Tuesday 31 July about how Google G Suite apps can assist your station. Presented by Shaun Dennis, Technical Manager at Gove FM, the webinar will provide first-hand experience in using G Suite as an accessible, station-wide communication solution, how to protect your station from ransomware attacks and tips on how to get started.
Other developments....
New Digital Television Network announced
Minister for Indigenous Health, the Hon. Ken Wyatt, this week announced a commitment of $3.4m to a new digital television network to be rolled out across health centres from October 2018. The Aboriginal Health TV Network is a partnership between Government and Tonic Health Media with content to be developed in partnership with local Aboriginal health services. IRCA will be encouraging this new network to engage with First Nations media providers as plans develop.
Regional Telecommunications Review
The Regional Telecommunications Review, which is held every three years to assess telecommunications services in regional, rural and remote parts of Australia, is currently underway. Consultations are being held in 18 regional centres, with submissions accepted until 5 August.
WHAT'S ON
Sing a song in the traditional language of your area! ABC Education is inviting schools to work with their local Indigenous community to translate the Marrin Gamu song into the first language of their area
SONG ENTER BY: 31 AUGUST 2018

The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations (ORIC) have a number of upcoming training opportunities free to Directors and members of CATSI organisations including:
  • 4-6 September - Introduction to Corporate Governance workshop in Darwin
  • 16-17 October - Two-day governance workshop in Nhulunbuy
OPPORTUNITIES
The Australian Institute of Company Directors has a scholarship available for one Senior Manager or Director from Central Australia to attend their five-day Company Directors Course in Alice Springs on 1-5 October. Scholarship applicants must be Aboriginal.
RIBS Network Support Officer position
PY Media is seeking a highly motivated person with the right knowledge and personal attributes to support 7 RIBS stations in the APY Lands. This role will help facilitate professional development for RIBS broadcasters, support OBs and broadcast activities and maintain broadcasting engagement. If you're interested in learning more about this opportunity, contact Thomas Holder at manager@pymedia.org.au for a position description.
CameraPro is offering a share of $25,000 to photographers and storytellers with a focus on rural and remote communities. They're particularly looking for stories about people making a positive social or environmental impact either locally or globally.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 30 SEPTEMBER 2018

The annual Heywire competition is calling for stories from remote youth about life outside major cities. Open to people aged 16-22 living in regional, rural or remote Australia. Winning stories will be featured on ABC Radio and online. Winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the Heywire Youth Summit, which takes place over a week in Canberra, plus access to a range of grant opportunities through the Heywire program. $100,000 is available to implement Heywire Summit ideas.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 16 SEPTEMBER
FUNDING
This program assists Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory to start or expand their business with grants between $1,000 and $30,000 and support from a small business champion in your region. This opportunity could provide Northern Territory based stations with support for new revenue streams.
THIS OPPORTUNITY IS ALWAYS OPEN.

First Nations media organisations based in New South Wales might be interested in helping to reduce the incidence of problem gambling and educating communities about responsible gambling. The Office of Responsible Gambling is looking for partnerships that support prevention and reduce gambling related harm. $1m is available to help promote support services for those seeking help.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW AND CLOSE ON 13 AUGUST 2018.
ACMA GRANTS PROGRAM - DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Are you a regional or small publisher/content provider with a focus on Australian public interest journalism? Do you have innovative ideas to expand your operations and audience reach? The ACMA is delivering a new grants program to eligible print and online outlets that debate and investigate issues of public significance and inform democratic decision-making. This can include online and print content generated by a broadcasting organisation. Scholarships and cadetships are available to help support emerging journalists.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW AND CLOSE ON 10 AUGUST 2018.

Up to $30m in funding is available for Northern Territory based organisations to conduct one-off projects that benefit Aboriginal people in the NT.
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW AND CLOSE ON 27 AUGUST 2018.

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INDIGENOUS REMOTE COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION (IRCA)
2/70 Elder St
PO Box 2731 Alice Springs NT 0871
comms@irca.net.au |  irca.net.au08 8952 6465



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