2002-2004 National ATSIC Submission

Download the IRCA Submission as a Word document

29th June, 2001

Joseph Tapaya, Chairperson - PY Media
Umuwa, South Australia via Alice Springs NT 0872

Attn:
Geoff Clark, Chairperson - ATSIC Board
Mark Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer - ATSIC Canberra
Christine Williams and Ray Robinson, Broadcasting Portfolio Commissioners ATSIC Board

Dear Geoff, Mark, Christine, Sugar and Councillors:

Please, find attached an additional activity submission requesting funds to develop a project of major community initiative and national significance, the incorporation of the Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA).

Essential to the survival of the remote Indigenous community broadcasting and media sector, and to compliment the initiatives of the broad industry agenda, IRCA provides an accessible and identifiable representative association for members of the largest Indigenous media sector in Australia.

Specifically aiming to pursue new and/or alternative income streams, research, economic and sustainable development funding, this association will most effectively achieve economic independence and security through the administration of current satellite programming and distribution subsidy funds.

We formally request that the ATSIC Board of Commissioners and your respective Councils support this project submission and can rationalise broadcasting funds for this essential activity. IRCAs members have been producing new material for their libraries and archives, already promoting authenticity and content quality for a future national Indigenous broadcasting service.

Feel free to call PY Media to discuss any matter(s) further or please contact Will Rogers, PY Media Manager, on 08/8950-1575 or at will@waru.org.

Thank you for the opportunity to lodge this 2001/2002 submission and please contact us with news of our bid.

Yours sincerely

Joseph Tapaya		Will Rogers
Chairperson - PY Media		Manager - PY Media

cc:
Brian Butler, ATSIC South Australian Zone Commissioner
Peter Herraman, Senior Project Officer ATSIC Nulla Wimila Kutju Regional Council Pt Augusta, South Australia

What are the specific needs of the target group and how will the activity address these needs?

Recommendation to incorporate a representative Indigenous Remote Communications Association (IRCA) was endorsed by the National Indigenous Remote Area Communications Committee before presentation to the National Broadcasting and Policy Sections of ATSIC and other key Commonwealth Departmental agencies at the Canberra, February 2001 National Indigenous Remote Area Communications Summit.

Amongst a groundswell for sound strategic social and industry policy representation, the IRCA is determined and specifically aiming to:

• Secure an ongoing economy through the marketing, distribution and on sale of satellite content
• Pursue new and/or alternative income streams available to the remote Indigenous community media sector
• Provide an accessible and identifiable association representative of remote and regional community media organisations and/or individual practitioners
• Engage in promoting the existing, extensive media network to become a powerful marketing tool for various Government and NGOs
• Target research, economic and sustainable development funding opportunities

Complimenting the activities and interests of the broad Indigenous media industry, the collective association aims to further and specifically foster:

• Remote communication organisations to better determine and direct their own destinies
• A strong collective industry and public recognised voice promoted through common strategic approach and/or alliance
• Relief of social, technology and economic disadvantage
• Production and distribution of quality radio, video and new media content for programming and audience appeal
• Positions and policy relevant to industry, regional community capacity building, reconciliation, economic independence and network sustainability

With the aim to secure a sound level of economic independence for the development and future survival of the Indigenous community broadcasting and communications sector, members of Australia¹s remote network request to be entrusted to administer at least 50% of the current ATSIC National Satellite Uplink Program Subsidy Grant to self determine the distribution of remote area audio, video and new media content.

Representation of remote Australia¹s diverse social, cultural and community needs would enormously improve by having the Indigenous Remote Communications Association in operation. We are seeking ATSICs support for a streamlined associate and a united entity for future communication initiatives.

Please describe the activity and the objectives it is expected to achieve

Recognising the remarkable achievements remote area regional coordination units provide to the country, it is now paramount to sustain, maintain and develop the range of communication services available to Australia¹s Indigenous remote network.

A three-year financial commitment to IRCA from ATSIC will ensure the remote area communications and media sector is positioned strongly to secure, under an associated banner (beyond ATSIC operational contribution) additional program funding for all isolate regions in the communications network of remote Australia.

IRCA is considering an associate relationship with key social and educational agencies through an Advisory Committee; providing expertise to the Board, the Association and improving mainstream understanding of remote issues.

The IRCA Executive and its Manager would coordinate this committee to ensure other non-industry issue areas that greatly affect, or impact on, remote communities are better addressed, with a united voice for:

• Educational access and equity representation
• Aged care representation
• Youth representation, training and employment opportunity, and
• Economic growth for local, regional and national sustainability

It is suggested that the Board or Management Committee of IRCA be a total of eight representative positions.

• 1 x Executive Director (ex-officio paid a nominal fee)
• 1 x Chairperson
• 6 x Indigenous remote media Organisation Chairpersons or remote individual practitioners

• To provide an accessible and identifiable association representative of remote and regional community media organisations and/or individual practitioners committed to determining sector specific industry agendas, strategic plans and achieving goals;
• To actively target research, economic, development and sustainable funding opportunities and pursue new non-ATSIC income streams via enterprise initiative(s);
• To sustain, and develop further, remote and regional community opportunity, representation, education, information and voice in the modern electronic world;
• To compliment the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissions policy and program efforts to improve information technology access and communications equity for remote Aboriginal communities;
• To pursue an active role with the Federal Minister and Opposition Minister for Communications, including other relevant State and Territory Ministers, Departments, community, corporate and commercial agencies; to promote social and economic opportunity, access and use of the existing Indigenous and new broadcast or telecommunications infrastructure;
• Being the vehicle to position "a national media and telecommunications policy recognising the special needs of remote communities for infrastructure development in telecommunications" [Recommendation 11.4 pp 94 - Recognition of special needs of remote areas: Digital Dreaming A National Review of Indigenous Media and Communications Executive Summary, 1999].;
• To "devise strategies for job creation and career structures in the Indigenous Media Industry" [Recommendation 5.4 and 6.5 pp 89 - Indigenous Media Job Creation: : Digital Dreaming A National Review of Indigenous Media and Communications Executive Summary, 1999. ] and to engage youth in accredited training pathways leading to employment;
• To closely monitor broadcast and telecommunications licensing, policy, infrastructure strategies and other industry developments;
• To continue provision and right of place for essential electronic information services, support innovative technical solutions and production values for quality programming;
• To foster creation of media product and program material for existing broadcast and satellite platforms including local television and radio services, Indigenous websites; the existing national radio network; international carriers and the proposed national broadcasting service.

National Broadcasting Services

Which Outputs will be addressed?

Broadcasting Development and Support

Please provide a description of the role of the applicant in performing the activity

PY Media has a history of successful operational activities and will oversee, in confidence, the development of all phases of the project. Once the election of office bearers is final, the IRCA Board and Executive will also oversee and have responsibility to the development of the association.

PY Media Management, its Executive and the IRCA Board will develop a duty statement, position description and project parameters for the IRCA Manager.

The Project and its Manager is responsible to the IRCA Director, Board, Executive Committee representing the membership and to the PY Media Director and Management Committee.

The IRCA Board, constituting the voice of the association¹s membership, will determine the Managers work and project agenda.

A performance evaluation and appraisal of the IRCA Manager at a probationary stage of three months, with appraisal each six or twelve month period thereafter, including performance indicators will provide the activity, its membership and ATSIC clear reporting and monitoring information.

Please identify the location(s) where the activity is to take place

We envisage the activity to be coordinated from Umuwa, AP Lands, South Australia, at the offices of the Organisation, under complete guidance of PY Media management.

Given the nature and location of IRCA's membership, it is expected the manager will travel to other remote regions and regional coordination units, interstate, and to industry locations such as capital cities for various project and lobby work.

Vehicle hire and other travel fares will be required for the manager and the association to achieve its strategic aims.

Coordination of audio links, video conferences and other interactive methods are required to ensure the IRCA Board members and Non-Indigenous Advisory Council members are kept informed of progress reports, project development and new opportunity.

Please provide a timetable, broken in to stages for the implementation and completion of the activity

2001/2002

Monthly

• IRCA Manager to coordinate monthly audio and/or video links with the IRCA Board, for reporting, strategic discussion and agenda assessment

August ­ September

• Advertise for, and engage, a Manager to complete the already commenced incorporation process and oversee the inaugural general meeting, election of office bearers and pursue a member driven agenda
• IRCA Manager to acquit capital purchases for office infrastructure and establishment

• Develop timelines for key submissions, a strategic plan for the association, business and marketing plans and methods for strategic project lobbying.

• Design and submit various project applications to public, corporate and other government and non government organisations
• Lobby and promote the industry, policy and social interests of the association

• Continue key submissions in accordance with the strategic plan for the association and methods for strategic project lobbying
• Develop association and strategic alliance with key social and educational agencies
• Pursue presentation and representation to keynote industry and government national and international forums, conferences, and seminars

How does the activity meet the priorities set by ATSIC, in the Regional Council Plan and those in your Organisation Plan?

In accordance with Objects 1, 2 and 3 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act, 1989, and the 2000 Nulla Wimila Kutju Regional Council Plan this additional activity will compliment Council goals:

One: Communication: Create strong and consistent communications links throughout the region

Two: Partnerships/Network: Develop and foster partnership and networking arrangements with other agencies

Three: Social Needs: Continuously improve and monitor services provided to meet the important social needs in our region

Four: Community Development: Support and encourage communities to develop their skills in community planning and responding to individual community needs

Seven: Self Reliance: Encourage our people to develop income ventures

Eleven: Infrastructure: Put in place critical needs of the region for adequate infrastructure

PY Media expects the Indigenous Remote Communications Association activity to grow and further compliment Council goals:

Eight: Education and Employment: Create increased opportunities for meaningful education and employment, and

Ten: Heritage and Culture: Preserve and promote our heritage and culture (traditional and contemporary)

State the performance measure that will be used to monitor whether the activity is meeting the objectives.

Performance measures include:

• Regular reporting by the Manager to the IRCA Director, Board and Executive Committee, PY Media Management and performance appraisal records
• Attainment of Organisational strategic plan milestones, recommendations and targets
• Attainment of identified budget targets, by project and by annual forecast
• Accurate, transparent and effective grant acquittal process management by the association
• Increased project support and/or opportunity to members through association with enterprise initiative and strategic economic use of satellite distribution funds
• A grassroots agenda driven by the remote area membership and activities of the association

Budget

IRCA, the representative Indigenous Remote Communications Association designed to better the financial and developmental opportunities to the Australian Indigenous remote area communications network and industry sector