First Australians Media

Australian Indigenous Communications Association (AICA)Rydges Hotel, Southbank, BrisbaneMonday 22 October 2012(followed by AICA AGM for AICA Members only on 23 October 2012)

Giving Voice to First Australians Media

National Conference 2012

First Australians Media National Conference 2012

conference overviewOur Mob (the First Nations of Australia) are guardians of one of the oldest continuing cultures in the world. From Corroboree to Message Stick, from Fire to Bullroarer – we’ve been communicating over vast distances for a long time.

Not surprisingly, our modes of communication post colonisation have changed. In the early 1980s, Indigenous radio broadcasting sprung to life in the bush. Our first national newspaper was born in the early 1990s and a national Indigenous television service arrived more recently. Great strides have been made since the landmark report into Indigenous Broadcasting in the 1980s called ‘Out of the Silent Land’.

And yet, Indigenous Australian media in 2012 is at a critical juncture. First nations’ media outlets are struggling for financial viability, the goal posts on the larger media field are shifting through major technological change, and governments are trying to ‘Close the Gap’ without recognising the remarkable value that Indigenous media can bring to culturally tailored social marketing and wider national cultural development.

Earlier this year, AICA distributed a major Discussion Paper called ‘BLACKPRINT’ which sought to begin confronting the myriad of challenges facing Indigenous media. This National Conference builds on the ‘Blackprint’ by providing a forum for consultation, dialogue and national strategy development.

AICA recognises one of the most pertinent observations of the Stevens Review into Indigenous broadcasting, namely the absence of a forward-strategy for Indigenous media. We believe that the sector and the people that we serve need to at the forefront of devising such as strategy. The underpinning questions for the conference are these –

How do we work together to secure our mob’s media in the digital age?

What does our ‘forward-strategy’ look like?

AICA hopes that you can join us in a highly interactive and consultative conference to pursue this and other fundamental questions that important to us, not just as a ‘sector’ but as a ‘first peoples’.

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Draft Conference Program TBC

NB: The Conference Program will be finalised and circulated by Friday 12 October 2012.

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Time Topic

8.30 to 10.00am Optional Site Visit to 98.9 Murri FM StudiosBBQ Breakfast

10.30 to 10.45am Opening CeremonyWelcome to Country

10.45 to 11.00am Framing the ConferenceChairperson, Australian Indigenous Communications Association

11am to 12.00pm One Globe: Different People, Shared ChallengesInternational Panel on Indigenous Media Aspirations in the Digital Age• Australia• Ms Eileen Egan, Board of Directors, Native Public Media, Arizona USA• Ms Ella Henry, Senior Lecturer, Auckland University of Technology, Aotearoa/New Zealand

12.00 to 12.30pm Speed ShowcasingQuick Demonstrations about Deadly People doing Deadly Stuff

12.30 to 1.15pm Lunch including viewing ‘Digital Blackboards’Rydges Hotel, South Bank

1.15 to 2.00pm Update on Australian Government Policy and Program (including in response to the Stevens Review)Senior Executive, DBCDE

2.00 to 3.00pm Taking a Closer Look4 x Break Out Sessions/Small Groups working on the following four themes:

• Jobs, skills, and volunteers: growing professional employment, volunteering and skills opportunities for Indigenous people in media

• Unleashing the potential: Indigenous media and social marketing• Building the Business Case: National Digital Radio Hub on VAST• More than a one trick yarraman (pony): multi-niche models across various multi-

media platforms

3.00 to 3.30pm Networking over Afternoon Tea

3.30 to 4.30pm Report Back (Small Group Leaders)

4.30 to 5.00pm Conference Closing Remarks

7.00 to 10.00pm Conference Dinner (Live performance & Dinner Speaker)

Expressions of Interest

REGISTERING FOR THE CONFERENCE

At this stage, AICA would be pleased to receive Expressions of Interest in participating in the Conference. Simply contact Janene at AICA (her details are below) to express an interest.

PARTICIPATING AT THE CONFERENCE: SHARING YOUR WORK THROUGH DIGITAL BLACKBOARDS

Conference Delegates will have the choice to share their work (photos, audio, slides, video) via computers and computer screens which will be set up around the venue. Let Janene know if you’re interested in displaying your deadly work!

ELIGIBILITY FOR DELEGATE SUBSIDISED TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATION

For AICA members who may need assistance with travel and accommodation to get to the conference and AGM, again send Janene an email detailing what you need and we will do our best to make those arrangements.

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For More Information

If you’d like to register or share and showcase your work at the conference, then don’t be shame contact Janene at AICA today:

E: contact@aicainc.org Twitter: @FirstAustralian

Facebook – First Australians Media P: 02 6262 8699