Definitions:

MISSION STATEMENT

(From the Ngaanyatjarra Media Aboriginal Corporation Constitution 2002)

In recognition of the severe problems encountered by Aboriginal people in gaining access to information important to their communities in the areas of Health, Education, Law and Social Services; and in the receipt by Aboriginal people of Media Services that have relevant cultural and social foundations, the Association shall have the following objects:

1. to provide a broadcasting and information service to Ngaanyatjarra people by Ngaanyatjarra people within and about the communities throughout the Western Desert region;
2. to provide an educational broadcasting service in the areas of Health, Law, Social Services and items of public interest, and in doing so attempt to overcome the problem of low literacy levels existent within the communities in and about the Western Desert Region;
3. to promote strength and unity and arrest social disintegration within the communities by the broadcast of programs in Aboriginal languages with emphasis upon Aboriginal Traditional Culture and Music;
4. to assist in alleviating those significant economic problems that exist within Aboriginal communities by the dissemination of information in relation to education, training, employment opportunities and work programs;
5. to promote knowledge and understanding by the Australian community of Aboriginal culture and tradition and of the special difficulties experienced by Aboriginal people as a minority in that community;
6. to engage in and conduct research into areas of application of the broadcasting media to and for the benefit of Aboriginal people;
7. to ensure access by Aboriginal people to existing and forthcoming communication facilities in order that they may benefit in accordance with its objects;
8. to encourage cultural maintenance by recording and preserving Aboriginal oral history and music and by encouraging the preservation and practice of traditional Aboriginal law and ceremonies in culturally appropriate ways through media services;
9. to maintain and promote religious beliefs and spiritual growth through media services;
10. to employ and train Aboriginal people in media skills.
11. to work with other organisations, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, whether incorporated or not, to achieve its objects;
12. to assist Ngaanyatjarra communities, Ngaanyatjarra Council and associated entities to meet their media needs;
13. to represent Ngaanyatjarra Media interests and concerns at national and state media forums;
14. to develop regional media policy and guidelines to best protect Ngaanyatjarra interests and concerns through media representations;
15. to receive and spend grants of money from the Government of the Commonwealth, of the States of Western Australia and of the Northern Territory and from other sources;
16. to foster on-going training and development of all staff and to provide a safe and non-discriminatory work place for all staff; and

17. to balance the budget and deploy and manage resources in a cost effective and efficient manner

The Ngaanyatjarra lands are home to some 2432 yarnangu (people) across 18,585,000 hectares (almost the size of NSW) in the Gibson and Great Victoria Deserts. The Media program has been operating on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands since 1992 and has grown from a single community BRACS operation (Irrunytju Media) to having 12 ABA-licensed BRACS communities. Ngaanyatjarra Media coordinates and manages the BRACS Revitalisation Strategy and BRACS Repair and Maintenance programs for these communities. The 12 licensed BRACS communities are Blackstone (Papulankutja), Coonana, Cosmo Newberry, Jameson (Mantamaru), Kiwirrkura, Tjirrkarli, Tjukurla, Tjuntjuntjara (Paupiyala Tjarutja), Wanarn, Warakurna, Warburton (Millirrtjarra), and Wingellina (Irrunytju). We also represent Patjarr (Karilywara) as an active media community.

Ngaanyatjarra Media provides local radio and television broadcast as well as production and distribution of cultural, educational and training programs in Ngaanyatjarra language. Ngaanyatjarra Media supports the interests of the Ngaanyatjarra people in maintenance of culture, self-determination, empowerment and access to modern telecommunications technology and skills.

Ngaanyatjarra Media, as the Media and Communications body for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, serves the interests of the Ngaanyatjarra people first and foremost. It also supports Ngaanyatjarra Council and its various divisions (Land Management, Ngaanyatjarra College), Ngaanyatjarra Services, Ngaanyatjarra Health, Ngaanyatjarra Native Title, Ngaanyatjarra Education Area, NPY Women’s Council and the individual community Councils in their activities and interests to the extent that this is possible and in line with the Objects and priorities of Ngaanyatjarra Media.

In 2002, Ngaanyatjarra Media became incorporated and now has a Media Committee that represents the interests of the 13 communities and the Ngaanyatjarra Council and its related agencies. The Incorporation was a requirement from the ATSIC Western Desert Regional Council for continued funding. It has been an important step in enabling Ngaanyatjarra Media to seek other funding sources and participate in national indigenous media policy and growth. With greater ownership and decision-making input by all communities, the level of media activity on the Lands is rapidly increasing.

The Media Committee is the management body for Ngaanyatjarra Media Aboriginal Corporation. It comprises a representative from each of the 13 communities, a Wati & Minyma Chairperson and the Chair of Ngaanyatjarra Council. All positions are elected at AGM with each community deciding its representative and the membership electing the Chairpersons.

Day-to-day management of the Media organisation is the duty of the Media Coordinator acting on Policy and Guidelines outlined by the Media Committee and the Constitution. The Media Coordinator is accountable to the Media Committee as well as the Coordinator of Ngaanyatjarra Council. We also now have a full-time Media Trainer/Radio Manager to deliver community-based training and supporting the development of radio broadcasting on the Lands. Non-yarnangu staff employed by Ngaanyatjarra Media are directly accountable to the Media Coordinator and the Media Committee. All staff are bound by the guidelines set by Ngaanyatjarra Council regarding behaviour whilst working on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.

Yarnangu media workers are employed under the CDEP scheme through their individual communities. Top-up wages are budgeted for the two Senior Media Worker positions as well as media workers who contribute programs to the Ngaanyatjarra Radio Show and who work as tutors during training. Media workers are accountable to their community Council as well as to the Policy and Guidelines set out by Ngaanyatjarra Media and the Australian Broadcasting Authority.

3. STRATEGIC FOCUS

Ngaanyatjarra Media is likely to grow significantly over the next few years. With the Incorporation process completed, an active Media Committee elected and many new media workers, the level of media activity on the Lands is quickly increasing. This means that we need to set up sustainable infrastructure and funding to facilitate this growth.

We will continue to focus on language and cultural maintenance, community involvement and ownership, and the social wellbeing of people living on the Ngaanyatjarra lands. Through production and distribution of video, radio and other media, and working with other agencies, we intend to inform and educate people with regards to health issues, social issues (such as domestic violence and drug/substance abuse), political empowerment and rights, and community development. The key to success for these projects is that they are delivered by Ngaanyatjarra people in language.

3.1. LANDS-BASED TRAINING

Our first priority is for ongoing Lands-based training in the whole range of media, including radio, video, print, digital photography and new technologies. With funding for only one full-time staff member at present for Ngaanyatjarra Media, we need to employ training staff to support the skills development of our media workers. Once trained, we want our media workers to have real employment opportunities and be paid real wages for their work. It is our aim to make Media and Communications an important and valued part of community life.

3.2. COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

We are moving into a time where media and telecommunications are becoming more convergent. With increasing reliance on satellite and telephony infrastructure to convey television, radio and digital media, and with the internet providing access to the world, we are indeed in the Information Age. Radio and television will continue to be a key part of our work, but we will gradually expand to include internet, email, multi-media, desktop publishing, website development and videoconferencing.

3.3. TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE STRATEGY

In the ATSIC submission to the Regional Telecommunications Inquiry facilitated by Dick Estens in 2002 stated:

The future for Ngaanyatjarra Media lies in engaging with these new forms of communication and networking the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. However, this is dependent on the rollout of improved telecommunications infrastructure on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, such as fibre optic cable or a high-bandwidth digital radio system. New communications technology requires both high bandwidth and real-time streaming which the 2-way satellite Internet cannot provide. We are keen to ensure that the Ngaanyatjarra Lands are not left behind with the rapid developments in telecommunications technology and applications.

The Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku and Ngaanyatjarra Council submission to the Estens inquiry stated:

We are working together with the Ngaanyatjarra Council and Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku to develop a Telecommunications Infrastructure Strategy for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.

3.4. MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE

In order to reach the "social and economic potential of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands", we need to build a dedicated Media & Communications Centre. This facility will be multi-purpose and multi-agency, acting as a hub for networking the Lands and providing a site for training and working with new communications technology. It will be equipped for training, production, archiving, technical and administrative support, IT development and videoconferencing/meetings. This Centre will be the focal point a yarnangu-run communications network for the Lands.

With the Media and IT training we provide, we could then set up Communications offices in each community. The BRACS workers will become Communications Workers with a range of potential ways of telling their stories locally and to the outside world. They would deal with incoming news and information and distribute it to the community in person or via phone, fax, email, radio and TV broadcast and newsletters. This would become a strategic step towards yarnangu beginning to manage their communities as well as providing real employment opportunities.

4. OPERATIONAL PLAN

4.1. CURRENT OUTCOMES AND ISSUES

Ngaanyatjarra Media is funded primarily through the BRACS Revitalisation Strategy managed by the ATSIC National Broadcasting Program Centre. In 2002/3 we were funded $209,000 (+ GST) for Operational Costs and $70,900 for Capital Items. This has been reduced in 2003/4 with no capital funding and $232, 291 for Operational. This is approximately $17,870 total per community.

Presently our core activities are:

1. Training & Support
2. Video Production and Distribution
3. Radio Production and Broadcast
4. Repair and Maintenance of Transmission Facilities
5. Connecting with Broader Networks
6. Other Projects

4.1.1. TRAINING & SUPPORT

A primary role of Ngaanyatjarra Media is to coordinate and provide training and support to the media workers on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Given the enormous area to be covered and the limited funding for training or employment, this is very challenging. A common request from communities has been for more Lands-based training using the community BRACS equipment.

In 2002, we increased the amount of training delivered on the Lands for both video and radio. As well as having three of the Batchelor training workshops delivered in Ngaanyatjarra communities last year, we contracted radio trainers to conduct workshops in 6 communities, with many community members learning how to use their radio studios. We also ran combined video and radio workshops in conjunction with covering special events such as the Ngaanyatjarraku Youth Expo and Desert Dust Up. This ‘on-the-job training’ has proven to be very effective. Of our Batchelor Institute students, we had seven graduates in 2002.

We have a record number of 20 students enrolled in 2003. We now co-deliver the Batchelor Institute Broadcasting Certificate course in Remote Area Operations, with most workshops run in Ngaanyatjarra communities. In June 2003, we employed a full-time Media Trainer to deliver this training and other informal training within communities. This has proved to be very successful and has resulted in a significant increase in training participation and ongoing media production within the communities.

4.1.2. Video production & DISTRIBUTION

Video production has always been the main output from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands due to the interests of its Senior Media Workers. While radio is becoming more important, Ngaanyatjarra Media continues to have a presence at most major events and meetings on the Lands to document them on video. We use digital video cameras primarily now, although many communities still use the Super-VHS cameras supplied back in the early 1990s for local projects. Ngaanyatjarra Media has seven digital video cameras which are used for training and production purposes and sent out to communities as requested for particular projects. At the present level of funding, it will be some time before we are able to re-supply the communities with digital video cameras.

Presently, most of the video editing is done at Irrunytju or outsourced. However, we have installed an Imac computer for digital editing in Warburton and one in Tjuntjuntjara. With further training, these will become better utilised. We have also setting up a dubbing facility at Irrunytju to assist in making multiple copies of our projects for distribution. We are planning to establish a catalogue of appropriate productions to sell. All completed video projects get distributed to each of the BRACS facilities where they are able to be broadcast to the community.

Our video projects are chosen according to our key priorities- cultural and language based projects, promotion of health and wellbeing, social and political development, and projects of interest and enjoyment for yarnangu. The major project presently in production is ‘Maiku Kulintjaku’ (Food for Thought)- 4x15min video series about Nutrition in conjunction with NPY Women’s Council, Ngaanyatjarra Health, Nganampa Health and Goldfields SE Health Service.

In the last year, we made the short video "Kungkalu Palyalku" (Girls Making Things) that will be broadcast on SBS-TV soon. We also made the Education video "Ninti Purlkanya Nyinarratjaku" (Going to School Will Make Leaders) which promotes the Ngaanyatjarra Education Area plan. Other video productions include the "Career Highlights of the Mamu" play, "Healthy Living on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands" (Youth Expo 2002), "Media Walykumunu- a Celebration of 10 Years of Media on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands", "Walu Incorporation Meeting", "Walu Bands Night", and we re-versioned about 8 major Inma videos to allow them to be put back into circulation. Other events that we’ve filmed in the last year include Desert Dust Up 2002, the WA Environment Minister’s Visit to Minaminanya, Inma Putitja show at Umuwa, the Indigenous Protected Areas meeting, the Brian Young Show, the Island Breeze Dance Group at Blackstone, Mining Stories (oral histories), the Irrunytju Sports Carnival, and lots of football, bush trips and other activities. Many of these have been distributed and broadcast regularly in communities.

4.1.3. RADIO production & BROADCAST

11 (of the 13) communities are equipped with a BRACS radio studio from which they can broadcast locally to their communities. Of these, 5 were broadcasting regularly in 2002 (Irrunytju, Warburton, Tjuntjuntjara, Cosmo Newberry, Jameson) and 4 less than once a week (Blackstone, Tjirrkarli, Warakurna, Tjukurla). Kiwirrkura has recently been re-opened after severe flooding led to its closure over 18 months ago, and we are presently repairing the BRACS equipment. We recently installed a radio studio in Patjarr which is now in regular use.

We broadcast a daily "Ngaanyatjarra Radio Show" from Irrunytju every Monday to Friday over Radio 5NPY for one hour, reaching all communities in the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Lands. It is a mix of music, interviews and news from the Lands such as meetings, football games, funerals, road closures or upcoming visits by doctors, contractors or other services. Mini disks of the show are sent in from communities to be played out via PY Media in Umuwa (SA) to Alice Springs and transmitted from the CAAMA satellite. This show has been very popular and will open the way for more regular programming and perhaps a dedicated Ngaanyatjarra channel over the satellite in the future.

However, the Ngaanyatjarra Lands have been severely restricted compared to most other regions in that it is unable to establish a radio network of its own due to the poor telecommunications infrastructure. It is for this reason that radio shows created in communities must be recorded and sent via mail to Irrunytju to be played out over the Radio 5NPY network. Once we improve the telecommunications system, we plan to set up an Ngaanyatjarra Radio Network.

4.1.4. REPAIR & MAINTENANCE

The BRACS Repair & Maintenance funding is managed by Ngaanyatjarra Media on behalf of all Ngaanyatjarra communities. The funding for this program comes from the Western Desert Regional Council. In 2003/4 we have received $63,100 (+GST) to run this program, just under $5000 per community.

We have a twice-yearly maintenance round carried out by our contracted technician D & GJ Pease. The Ngaanyatjarraku Shire pays for the maintenance contract ($20,000/yr), which includes travel and labour to check that all transmission equipment is present and operating, keeping inventory of equipment and reporting back to Ngaanyatjarra Council. Any equipment repairs (unless minor), facility upgrades or works done to BRACS studios are paid for separately by Ngaanyatjarra Media.

In 2002/3 we carried out major upgrades of transmission equipment in Patjarr, Kiwirrkura, Coonana, Tjirrkarli, Jameson, and Blackstone. Most locations now have 4 TV stations and 3 radio stations working. We’ve also upgraded transmission equipment in other communities and got the BRACS studios in Warburton, Tjirrkarli, Jameson, Blackstone, and Warakurna working properly, with new studio equipment (CD & minidisk players, microphones, headphones etc) where required. A fair bit of time and money is spent sending equipment into town for repairs, often minor.

We installed a new dedicated radio decoder and transmitter into the remaining four communities (9 installed in 2001/2) to get Radio 5NPY now broadcasting to all 13 communities. We have also done a major overhaul of the Irrunytju radio studio with all new equipment to provide a high quality program and link-up.

In 2002 we also received Black Spots funding from DCITA to put new TV transmitters (ABC and GWN) into all communities, as well as provide two additional TV services to Tjuntjuntjara (WIN & SBS). That work is now fully completed and all funding acquitted.

While we have been working hard to get all facilities functioning, the current funding for maintenance is not sufficient for effective maintenance and pre-emptive servicing of equipment. There is little opportunity to support BRACS facilities to be upgraded to digital equipment or even to cover basic support such as repairing air conditioners, installing power points or telephone services, nevertheless trying to access modern communications technology such as internet or teleconferencing.

As well, the time between contractor visits means that communities often have to wait for several months for basic repairs to broadcast services. Ideally, we would have a technician working for Ngaanyatjarra Media carrying out these contracts and ensuring a high quality of service and regular support for communities. This technician could also be contracted to communities for other maintenance work and be responsible for commissioning new infrastructure, saving a lot of money on expensive contractor services.

4.1.5. CONNECTING WITH BROADER NETWORKS

Ngaanyatjarra Media represents the media and communications interests of Ngaanyatjarra people through its involvement in the national body, Indigenous Remote Communications Association. Through IRCA we are addressing common national concerns such as ongoing funding for remote IMOs, Lands-based training, development of the Channel 31 network, licensing issues, national representations to government and broadcasting bodies, and policy issues.

We also keep in touch with ATSIC, DCITA, ABA and Australian Communications Authority (for licensing), Australian Indigenous Communications Association, Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, Community Broadcasting Foundation, Indigenous Communications Australia (developing the National Indigenous Broadcasting Service) and other peak bodies. As well, we have to keep informed of funding available from government and non-government sources to assist in the future growth and capacity building of Ngaanyatjarra Media.

Through regular contact with other media and government organisations, we represent the interests of the Ngaanyatjarra people in the national context. The particular issue presently is the need to actively lobby Telstra, DCITA and other State and National government bodies with regards to the need for improved telecommunications infrastructure on the Lands.

4.1.6. OTHER PROJECTS

4.1.6.1. ARA IRITITJA ARCHIVAL PROJECT

Ngaanyatjarra Media now has a computer containing the Ara Irititja Archival Project from the AP lands based in Irrunytju. Several yarnangu have been trained as operators and it is getting constant use, with many visitors every day to the Media Centre. This project has thousands of photographs, short videos, oral histories, and pictures from the Pitjantjatjara Lands and some of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. On the strength of the interest in this project, we wish to expand it to include an Ngaanyatjarra Archival Project.

4.1.6.2. Remote Video Festival

Eight of our media workers and BRACS students went to Broome in September 2002 showing the video work of Ngaanyatjarra Media at the 4^th Remote Video Festival. They also participated in workshops and the inaugural meeting of the Indigenous Remote Communications Association, and helped to film the Stompem Ground concerts. Media workers from communities all around Australia were there to share skills and ideas at this festival making it a valuable experience. This annual event is to be held in Darwin in August 2003.

4.1.6.3. WEBSITE FOR NG MEDIA- www.waru.org/ngmedia

We recently set up a website for Ngaanyatjarra Media to let people know about who we are and the type of work that we do. This is intended to give yarnangu a site to visit that is familiar and belongs to them when beginning to explore the internet. We intend to develop a website for Ngaanyatjarra Council as an umbrella site for the other agencies, communities and art centres on the Lands.

4.2. GOALS FOR 2003-6

2003/4

• Continue Core Operations- Training & Support, Repair and maintenance, Video/Radio Production and Broadcast, Networking and Lobbying
• Training delivery on the Lands by full-time media trainer, in conjunction with Batchelor College and yarnangu tutors
• Devise strategy for real employment opportunities for media workers;
• Development of job descriptions for community BRACS operators;
• Seek funding for building a Media/Communications Centre;
• Participate in developing Telecommunications Infrastructure Strategy for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands;
• Appointment of Cultural Officers (Wati & Minyma) to organise and promote cultural events and recording of Inma, Tjukurrpa, oral histories;
• Telecentre to be installed in Irrunytju for IT/ videoconference training;
• Set up Video and Radio Production crews to cover events and activities, carry out post-production and broadcasting;
• Establish a Website for the Ngaanyatjarra Council, agencies and communities;
• Music recording project to promote local bands;
• Travelling Video Festival for Ngaanyatjarra Lands;
• Install decoder and switcher unit in all communities for National Indigenous TV broadcast via Imparja’s Channel 31; Pilot Broadcasts of Ngaanyatjarra Show begins;
• Translation and Cultural Adviser service;
• Establish and promote catalogue of video productions (& other media materials) for sale;
• Create professional image for organisation- logo, signage on BRACS rooms and vehicles, crew shirts and caps, stationery etc.
• Prepare all community BRACS radio studios for network capability; Installation of telephone/fax services in all BRACS offices
• Seek funding for Video Preservation Project and Archival Projects; set up Archival Project Committee;
• Develop Protocols and Guidelines for media working on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands; Intellectual Property and media copyright guidelines developed.

2004/5

• Continue Core Operations
• Continue Development of Previous Projects
• Construction and fitting out of Media/Communications Centre

• Technical services section for repair and maintenance work and support

• Establish the Multi-media Archive for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands; Set up Archival Project Committee; Begin Video Preservation Project

• Begin regular Channel 31 national TV broadcasts

• Publication of a quarterly Magazine and Video Newsletter;
• Print Media, Digital Photography and Web Design service for the Lands;

• High bandwidth telecommunications infrastructure rolled out for Ngaanyatjarra Lands
• Seek distribution and sales arrangements (eg-AFI, Ronin Films, AIATSIS, Film Australia, AID, CAAMA etc)
• Establish a Ngaanyatjarra radio network via CAAMA satellite

2005/6

• Continue Core Operations
• Continue Development of Previous Projects

• Move into Media/Communications Centre and commence operation as a central hub
• Recruitment of yarnangu video and radio trainers and other administrative and technical positions;

• Establish Media/ Communications offices in each community, with rollout of telecommunications equipment as workers are ready;
• Employment of yarnangu communications workers in each community;
• Seek additional sources of operational funding for future sustainability of Ngaanyatjarra Media

4.3. DETAILS OF PROJECTS

4.3.1. communications centre proposal (See Attachment 1)

We are planning to build a dedicated Ngaanyatjarra Lands Communications Centre at Irrunytju. It is intended to house the various activities of Ngaanyatjarra Media to provide a training facility for media, communications and IT, have a meeting room with video and teleconferencing facilities, archive facility and a technical workshop.

With all of the various projects going on at Ngaanyatjarra Media, we have grown beyond our present Media Office (part of the Irrunytju Community office building). Also, with the Training agreement with Batchelor College for more lands-based delivery and the upcoming telecentre equipment in Irrunytju (see below) we need a professional Media & Communications training facility. Because of the fibre optic cable and Ngaanyatjarra Media’s history at Irrunytju, it would ideally be based there.

The Centre would be community-based and accessible, with a place for people to watch videos, surf the net, look at the Ara Irititja computer, read the newspapers and magazines and buy our videos, CDs and other materials. It would be a multi-function, multi-agency building, with offices available for staff from Ngaanyatjarra Council, College, Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku, or other agencies to use when working in the community. We will look into providing e-banking and other on-line support services.

4.3.2. TRAINING

For 2003, we have negotiated an agreement for co-delivery of the Batchelor Institute training with greater emphasis on Lands-based training. This will make it easier for students to attend workshops and will ensure continuity and back-up support. As well as radio and video training, we want to start training media workers in computer editing, news gathering for radio and newsletters, and communications technology (such as email, internet and videoconferencing). While there have been limited funds available for training, this agreement has made it possible to employ our own trainer and contract trainers where required.

We are in the process of recruiting for the position a full-time Media Trainer /Radio Manager. However, in order to deliver training and support for 13 communities effectively, we need to have ongoing funding for another full-time media trainer for video-based training. Having two trainers would bring us in line with most of the other remote Aboriginal media organisations and ensure a sustainable future for Ngaanyatjarra Media. In this way we can deliver the Batchelor training as well as other workshops, accessible to community members who are not Batchelor students.

We have found that on-the-job training where the finished product is actually broadcast to the community is the most effective approach. We will be organising workshops around events on the Lands and having a strong Ngaanyatjarra Media presence. Also students will be trained to research (via internet, indigenous newspapers and so on), produce and present the Ngaanyatjarra Radio Show.

Some of our graduates will be working as tutors during training workshops and will be paid for their work through CDEP Top-up. We are working towards these tutors becoming full-time trainers by 2006. We will also look at options for setting up accommodation quarters at Irrunytju for students.

4.3.3. PERSONNEL / EMPOYMENT DEVELOPMENT

Yarnangu Staff

We are committed to providing employment opportunities for yarnangu and increasingly having key positions in Ngaanyatjarra Media being filled by Ngaanyatjarra people. The eventual goal is to not require non-yarnangu staff to manage Ngaanyatjarra Media.

An immediate area for attention is the issue of wages available for CDEP work, the only option presently available for paying our workers. We have many workers who have Batchelor qualifications and can only hope to work full-time for $2-300 CDEP a week. I believe that people are losing interest in media and do not see it as worthwhile work because of the low wages available. With increased Top-up funding, we could offer incentive payments for working on productions, producing radio programs and conducting training. We would be able to keep people interested in media work and offer a real career path, while developing the quality of the work being produced. Project generated income will eventually be used to support top-up wages.

Resource Staff

In 2003, we are taking on a full-time Media Trainer/Radio Manager position. This person will deliver the Batchelor training as well as our own workshops in all communities. We are applying for a second vehicle (the main troopie is 3 years old and has recently been out of action for 4 months) to enable the large amount of travelling required to deliver this training. We are presently trying to find accommodation for this position. A transportable building may be our only option.

With the telecentre coming to Irrunytju in early-mid 2003, the funding for two years for a half-time Telecentre trainer/supervisor will be available to us. We would like to expand this to a full-time position to become an IT training position for the Lands with specific tasks including managing the Ngaanyatjarra Council website and the production of a quarterly magazine for the Lands.

We will investigate the feasibility of employing a full-time technician carrying out our repair and maintenance of BRACS and transmission facilities and undertaking new infrastructure works (as PY Media have done under their company Waru Remote Communications). Other staff such as Project Managers or editors for specific video projects would be on short-term contract. In all cases, the choice of projects and hands-on production is to be done by yarnangu with non-Aboriginal staff working in a teaching and support role.

We recognise the social and cultural impact of increasing the non-Aboriginal population on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. We also are acutely aware of the shortage of housing and the high costs involved in relocating non-Aboriginal people to the Lands and covering the remote living and accommodation costs. All of these factors are major considerations in any staffing decisions.

4.3.4. TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Ngaanyatjarra Media is working with Ngaanyatjarra Council and Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku to develop a Telecommunications Infrastructure Strategy for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. While Irrunytju and Blackstone are connected to the fibre-optic cable, most of the other communities are serviced by DRCS (Digital Radio Concentrator System), which has very limited bandwidth and regular dropout problems. This means that we are unable to link most of our communities up to a regional radio network because the phone lines are not of high enough quality. Some communities cannot reliably use a fax machine, let alone convey radio or video.

Much of the funding available from NTN and other funding sources (TAPRIC etc) for telecommunications technology assumes that there is already high bandwidth infrastructure in place. The 2-way satellite internet has helped with internet speed, but would be expensive to run for every community and is not capable of conveying live radio or video. In order to capitalise on the present funding opportunities, we need to first get high bandwidth

Videoconferencing has been trialled successfully in Irrunytju (via the fibre optic cable) and the potential benefits for on-line meetings, education and training, health clinics, prison and hospital family linkups and other uses are enormous. It could save many thousands of dollars in travel costs each month once established and perhaps save lives.

4.3.5. TELECENTRE

Discussions are underway with Telecentres WA to get a MITE (Modular Interactive Technology Environment) based at Irrunytju by mid-2003, which includes a videoconferencing unit, computers for internet and email and other communications and office equipment. It is to be used primarily for training in IT skills, including using internet, email, word processing and layout for producing the Ngaanyatjarra News magazine and the Ngaanyatjarra website in-house. Our Media Committee will be the Telecentre Management Committee in conjunction with the Executive of the Irrunytju Community Council.

Once the Communications Centre is built, the telecentre equipment would be transferred and the transportable building could be converted into student accommodation.

4.3.6. CHANNEL 31 NATIONAL TV BROADCAST

There has been an arrangement made between IRCA and Imparja Television to begin broadcasting regular television programs produced by the BRACS communities on Channel 31, their 2^nd channel. This broadcast would reach every remote Aboriginal community in Australia and Torres Strait and become a grass-roots model for a future national Indigenous television service.

It would be beneficial for the long-term success and growth of the Channel 31 broadcasts to have a dedicated decoder and transmitter in each community to view this program. In the meantime, we are planning to install an automatic switching device to swap with another channel while broadcast is on. We are compiling program material for inclusion in a regular national Channel 31 broadcast.

4.3.7. NGAANYATJARRA MAGAZINE

Ngaanyatjarra Media has been asked to take over the publication of the Ngaanyatjarra News, a magazine covering events on the Lands that presently is published only once or twice a year. As we have an active presence at most events on the Lands taking video and photographs, doing radio interviews, it would seem appropriate to put this into a colourful magazine form. This would be developed on a desktop publishing program and would be incorporated into our training through the telecentre. It would be written in both Ngaanyatjarra and English. Initially this would be a quarterly publication. We would need to get additional funding to carry out this project.

4.3.8. VIDEO NEWSLETTER

In conjunction with the magazine, we are planning to produce a quarterly Video Newsletter showing recent activities and events on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands along with other items of interest. It will be presented in Ngaanyatjarra language and will be delivered to all BRACS studios for community broadcast, as well as to schools, clinics and community centres. As video is extremely popular and many yarnangu are unable to read, this would reach almost everyone on the Lands. This requires setting up a dedicated Video Production crew with research, journalism and editing skills to produce this program.

4.3.9. NGAANYATJARRA ARCHIVE

Another project that is becoming increasingly important is the development of a properly coordinated and maintained media archive for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. While there are numerous collections of videos, photographs, oral histories, and music recordings dispersed throughout the Lands, there is no place for these to be centrally located, appropriately stored and packaged and made accessible with respect to cultural sensitivity. Ngaanyatjarra Media now has a copy of the Pitjantjatjara Lands Ara Irititja Project, developed at South Australia Museum, and I have had positive discussions with the Coordinator of that project to expand that project to include the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. While there would be considerable savings in using the existing resources, we would still need to cover all costs for the material to be properly databased, scanned and installed.

4.3.10. VIDEO PRESERVATION PROJECT

A major area of concern is the preservation of the collection of videos shot on Super-VHS over the last 10-12 years. These videos contain an irreplaceable record of cultural events (Inma), stories (Tjukurrpa) and oral histories, and show other significant events from that time. Many of these tapes are already deteriorating and soon will not be able to be viewed or restored. It is imperative for the cultural and social heritage of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands that this collection be restored onto digital videotape within the next year or two.

There are presently Video Preservation Projects underway through PY Media and Warlpiri Media. As with both of these organisations, the imperative of degrading video and audiotapes and many stories being lost necessitated an archiving program as soon as possible. This Video Preservation Project will require a specific grant to transfer and archive up to 200 hours of video material onto digital video.

4.3.11. MUSIC RECORDING PROJECT

We have purchased a mobile recording desk to enable us to start recording the many bands on the Lands. Bands can then start making their own CDs to sell and distribute and we can play them on the Ngaanyatjarra radio show and make video clips. Having this facility connected with Ngaanyatjarra Media will enable locally produced music to be distributed regionally and nationally, played on local BRACS radio and Radio 5NPY, and be used in our video productions. There is great demand for this service with most communities having at least one band and no other recording facilities available. We are working with other staff on the Lands with music recording and production experience to help facilitate this project. We will seek funding through Australia Council to produce an Ngaanyatjarra lands CD.

4.3.12. LOCAL COMMUNICATIONS OFFICES

As communications technology is beginning to develop on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands, it is appropriate that yarnangu begin to learn to use that technology to spread information out to the community. The media centres, where appropriately located and resourced, would be an ideal place for that technology to be located. We are working in with Ngaanyatjarra College on training for administrative and IT skills, combined with media training. With this training and support, media workers can collect information from internet, fax, telephone, UHF Radio and intranet, and distribute that information (as appropriate) to the community via the radio, local TV and newsletters. In this way, the media centres can become a much more integral part of community life and play a vital role in providing for "cultural and cross-cultural information flow", as expressed by the Western Desert Regional Council.

4.3.13. CREATING A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE

Now that we are incorporated, we also plan to create a more professional image for our workers and our products. We are about to run a logo design competition across the Lands to get an icon that conveys who we are, combining traditional culture with modern media technology. We have updated our "Ngaanyatjarra Media" font and design. We intend to create signage for our main office and each of our BRACS facilities and vehicles, as well as T-shirts and caps to identify our media workers. Our video sleeves will have a more consistent, professional look for marketing. This will help to identify us as a professional organisation as well as build pride in our media workers.

Ngaanyatjarra Media provides the voice and image of the Ngaanyatjarra people to the region and the outside world. As the interest in Aboriginal people and issues grows, this role will become more significant and the opportunities for using the media to express the interests, concerns and culture of Ngaanyatjarra people will increase and become more sophisticated. Our role is to balance the cultural, social and economic imperatives as this process surely develops.

Ngaanyatjarra Media has the maintenance and development of Ngaanyatjarra culture and language as its key priority. To this end, it employs two senior media workers (one wati, one minyma) to promote and record cultural activity, Inma, Tjukurrpa and oral histories. Our Media Committee is made up of a mixture of older traditional owners and young people, all who see the value of media in helping to sustain language and culture and pass it on to the next generations. Our cultural and language maintenance work and production of language-based media by and for Ngaanyatjarra people will take precedence over the economic imperatives. We would rather produce on a smaller scale and maintain Ngaanyatjarra control over the work than feel obliged to expectations of funding bodies (such as broadcasting images of deceased persons or insisting on use of English).

We are establishing protocols for outside media working on the Ngaanyatjarra lands. Also we are developing cultural policy protocols with regard to viewing and distribution of videos portraying culturally sensitive material and images showing deceased persons. We also have a Wati Only and Minyma Only cupboard in our office for cultural business that is gender-specific.

We keep up to date with copyright law and inform yarnangu of their intellectual property rights. We keep in touch with national indigenous and arts and media bodies (Australian Film Commission, Australia Council, SBS, ABC, AIATSIS etc) that have developed protocols with regard to filming in Aboriginal communities and the broadcast and distribution of this material. The issues around copyright are increasingly important in yarnangu culture, where cultural information and stories are often not intended for a broad audience. In a digital age where perfect reproductions of images, videos and audio recordings is possible, it is important to strictly control access and distribution of cultural material lest it gets broadcast or shown inappropriately.

The issue of language and the need for translation requires that we need to provide this service to ensure it is done in an appropriate and culturally sensitive manner. We also are building a requirement into agreements for Media coming onto the Lands that copies of any material recorded are left with Ngaanyatjarra Media as part of the Cultural Heritage of the Lands.

In the Output Funding Statements 2003/2004 for Broadcasting, ATSIC has listed the following Performance measures:

Access to Broadcasting Services

• Number of hours per day that the BRACS or radio studio is operating
• Number of radio and video productions produced by Indigenous media groups
• Number of hours of programming in local Indigenous languages
• Size of area covered by BRACS or radio station
• Total hours of program material delivered by community members/operators
• Percentage of program material prepared by media groups which is interchanged with BRACS and other Indigenous broadcasters
• Percentage of hours devoted to broadcast in language
• Languages used in broadcast
• Percentage of total hours of operation devoted to the promotion and reinforcement of cultural identity through for example reports on local events, news, and current affairs (breakdowns against each type of broadcast to be provided)
• Size of audience
• Number of representations made to media regulatory bodies
• Number of people who participate in informal training activities initiated by BRACS coordination centres
• Number of formal complaints received from members
• Number of new initiatives developed, including input into New Policy Proposals
• Media organisations that benefit from the Imparja satellite link

This quantitative approach to analysing performance seems somewhat limiting. The quality of the work and the social and community development factors can be easily missed. In addition to this, we suggest a written report on the status of each of our goals for the year and examples of work produced throughout the year.

We are committed to the sustainability of Ngaanyatjarra ownership and control of its media. Therefore, we understand the need for economic sustainability in the long term for this to be possible. Given our location, the small population and the socio-economic situation of yarnangu, it is unlikely that we will generate significant income regionally. We have several income generation strategies, which we plan to implement over the next three to five years:

 

• Build a range of video, audio and music products and other merchandising (magazine, calendars, books, postcards etc) for sale on the Lands and through other outlets and media organisations around Australia

 

• Seek development and production funding to create video, radio and multi-media projects

   

• Provision of media production and broadcast delivery services for Ngaanyatjarra Council and its agencies (Ng Services, Health, Native Title, Ng Air, NATS etc) as well as government departments and other organisations

 

• Seek Education & Training funding to deliver training in media production, broadcast and IT to Ngaanyatjarra people on behalf of education providers such as TAFE, Batchelor College and Ngaanyatjarra College

   

• Enabling access of BRACS facilities for hire by schools for inclusion on curriculum and playing out videos and audio programs

   

• Provision of technical services for transmission equipment and IT support services for the Ngaanyatjarra Lands

   

• Development and management of website for Ngaanyatjarra Council and agencies

 

• Provision of Print Media, Digital Photography and Web Design services for the Lands

Now that we are incorporated, we are in a better position to be seeking other sources of funding, including sales, funding or sponsorship for specific projects or productions, infrastructure and capital, and payment for media services that we provide. While this will take time to develop, our long-term goal is to become more self-sufficient. As a key member organisation of IRCA (Indigenous Remote Communications Association) we will also be actively lobbying for direct Federal funding for remote indigenous media organisations.

With the upcoming NIBS/ICA project through ATSIC, there is a positive future for indigenous media and there will be a real market for the work that we are doing. With IRCA’s push to broadcast the work of the remote media organisations over Imparja’s Channel 31, we will be paving the way for a national indigenous TV network. This may well grow to reach a broader audience in the next five years. As well, the NIBS radio network will be including work from our region as regular programming. However, our focus will continue to be on language-based productions for an Ngaanyatjarra audience.

We see the development of our media workers to enhance their employment opportunities both on and off the Ngaanyatjarra Lands as a primary role of Ngaanyatjarra Media. As well, we support the economic development of Ngaanyatjarra Council and Services and each of the communities we represent.

We plan to market our products and services as they become established in the following ways:

• Create a catalogue for distribution to other media organisations, indigenous communities and organisations, etc

• Seek distribution and sales arrangements (eg-AFI, Ronin Films, AIATSIS, Film Australia, AID, CAAMA etc)

• Sale of videos, CDs, tapes and merchandising from Communications Centre, community stores and roadhouses, Tjulyuru Cultural Centre and outlets at Yulara, Alice Springs (such as CAAMA shop)

• Using our website to promote our products and services with on-line ordering

• Promotion of technical and IT maintenance services, print media, website development and other services to all communities and agencies on the Ng Lands

• Advertising on Channel 31

• Creation of a video and DVD-Rom outlining who we are and what we do

• Promoting our BRACS facilities and the learning potential of their use to Education Department and Ngaanyatjarra Education Area for inclusion in school curriculum

The financial management of Ngaanyatjarra Media is the responsibility of the Media Coordinator based on Policy and Direction set out in this Strategic Plan and by the Media Committee. Accounts and book-keeping are managed through Ngaanyatjarra Services and auditing is carried out by Hall Chadwick.

We are working on an operational budget for a 3-year rolling program. However, as we are funded by ATSIC on a yearly basis we have only included a one-year budget at this stage. We have given an estimated total budget figure for 2004/5 and 2005/6 to suggest the ongoing costs. With the BRACS Revitalisation Strategy funding unclear beyond 2002/3, it is largely speculative to budget in more detail until we have more surety about future funding programs. Our ability to implement this Strategic Plan and move forward into the future is dependent on the recurrent funding we receive. We look forward to clarifying this in the near future.

We will be seeking other funding sources for specific projects, particularly the building of the Communications Centre, the Archiving and Video Preservation Projects, larger video productions, and the music-recording project. In terms of one-off infrastructure projects, large capital items and specific productions, it is not appropriate to budget for these within recurrent operational funding. As we determine our success in securing funds for these projects, we will be in a better position to include their ongoing management into our Operational budget.

As we succeed in attracting the funds to achieve our goals, we will be in a much better position to begin to generate our own income and become less dependent on recurrent funding.