IRCA Board and staff reps have been out and about over the last month, attending conferences and meeting with members, government and stakeholders:
1. CBAA CONFERENCE, GOLD COAST, 9-12 NOVEMBER
IRCA Chairperson Dot West and staff Daniel Featherstone (GM), Jennifer Nixon (AM) and Susan Locke (Research and Policy) attended the recent CBAA conference. Dot was on the debate panel on Day 1 of the conference, and Chris Roper gave a great presentation on Engaging Indigenous communities in community broadcasting. Dot facilitated the First Nations Broadcasters Forum on Saturday 11 November, which was well attended by First Nations media organisation reps and broadcasters from community stations. Dot and Daniel gave a brief update on recent activities and upcoming events, and invited questions and discussion. The response was positive with several follow-up discussions. Dot also presented the CBAA Award for Excellence in Indigenous Engagement to Noongar radio, who also won the Contribution to Australian Music Award. Congratulations to Noongar Radio, and to Dylan Storer from Wangki Yupurnanupurru Radio in Fitzroy Crossing for Outstanding Youth Contribution.
2. NOT FOR PROFIT PEOPLE CONFERENCE, MELBOURNE, 13-14 NOVEMBER
Jennifer and Daniel attended this conference about HR, management and leadership to learn about software, strategies and systems for both IRCA and to support member organisations.
3. NITV MEETING, MELBOURNE
Daniel met with David Melzer from NITV to talk about employment and training opportunities at NITV, involvement in Converge Brisbane in 2018, and community journalism/news sharing.
4. SYDNEY MEETINGS, 15-16 NOVEMBER
Daniel met with Sophie Kowald, Advisor to Michelle Rowland MP (Shadow Minister Communications) to outline policy outcomes and sector priorities from Converge. Sophie asked for updated policies in early 2018 in the lead-up to next Federal election.
Daniel was interviewed by Lola Forester on the Blackchat program at Koori Radio.
5. SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INTEREST JOURNALISM, CANBERRA, 22 NOVEMBER
Daniel presented to Select Committee on the need for increased support to our Indigenous media sector, and Indigenous news services to address negative news reporting and lack of locally relevant services across Australia. IRCA proposed that at least 10% of the $60m for regional and small news upgrades and cadetships should be allocated for Indigenous new services and journalists. Chris Graham, CEO of NIRS, also presented and Kaava Watson from BIMA attended the hearing. Daniel met with them both to discuss the IRCA strategy.
6. MEETING WITH TRILBY RYAN, MINISTER SCULLION ADVISER, 22 NOVEMBER
IRCA Invited Minister Scullion to speak at the CONVERGE conference in March 2018. Daniel gave updates on the Remote Indigenous Media Festival, our national peak body progress and other activities. The plan for the IRCA Employment and Skills Development Strategy was outlined, and also the need for DPMC support for expanded employment and skills development programs to achieve 90% Indigenous employment policy targets.
7. MEETING DPMC WITH LEONARD HILL, NICOLLE POWER (NEW SENIOR ADVISER), TRACEY MATTHEWS, 22 NOVEMBER
IRCA invited Len Hill and Marie Taylor to CONVERGE Brisbane 2018. Daniel gave an update on the Remote Indigenous Media Festival and IRCA activities and plans. The IRCA Employment and Skills Development strategy planned for 2018 was explained. There were discussions about the new Indigenous employment policy, and the need for a new employment and career pathways program from DPMC to support this, and Social Return on Investment study outcomes. The report has been completed but yet to be released.
8. SYDNEY MEETINGS & WINDA FILM FESTIVAL OPENING, 23 NOVEMBER
Daniel met with Jon Bisset from CBAA and gave updates about IRCA events, digital radio, and the Public Interest Journalism Senate Inquiry.
Daniel met with Kyas Sheriff and Sue Davenport from AFTRS to follow up from the Remote Indigenous Media festival and talk about upcoming events for 2018, the 20th Remote Indigenous Media Festival in Torres Strait, Sector training needs, and options for providing community journalism training.
Attended the opening night of Winda Film Festival and saw Warwick Thornton's film ‘Sweet Country’. Daniel met with a lot of screen industry practitioners and agencies.