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Welcome new CEO, Dennis Stokes
Our new CEO, Dennis Stokes has begun work with First Nations Media Australia and has launched straight into meeting our industry stakeholders and getting across the various projects FNMA is delivering for our membership. This role is a return to both the First Nations media sector and the Northern Territory for Dennis.

Dennis is of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent and comes from Darwin in the Northern Territory. He belongs to the Wardaman, Luritja and Warramunga people of the NT and the Wagadagam people of the Torres Strait. He will be known to many FNMA members through his work as a Production Assistant at SBS on Living Black and later as Content Division Manager at National Indigenous Television (NITV). Members may also have crossed paths with him in previous roles at the Australia Council for the Arts and Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS). Dennis has a strong background in the arts industry, working at Mimi Ngurrdalingi Aboriginal Corporation and contributing to NT Governments "Indigenous Arts Trail" initiative.
Since 2018 Dennis was the CEO of Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute working towards creating a more performance friendly space and creating a sustainable organisation well into the future.

Dennis is looking forward to getting to know FNMA members over the coming weeks and working to support the industry in his new position. You can contact Dennis on ceo@firstnationsmedia.org.au to say hello!
Policy updates
First Nations Media Australia has contributed to the following policy-related discussions recently:
  • Response to the Government's Media Reform Green Paper on modernising television regulation in Australia. Our submission responded to specific issues raised such as support for public interest journalism, employment opportunities, barriers to content production and consideration of VAST services. Read the submission.
  • FNMA submitted a response and spoke at a public hearing with Senators considering a Broadcasting Legislation Amendment. Our comments encouraged the expansion of guidelines for the Small Publishers Regional Innovation Fund to include First Nations media organisations. The Bill has since been passed in Parliament with feedback to the ACMA who is managing the fund.
  • Our work with the Coalition of Peaks continues. Following the addition of the Access to Information target in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (which focuses on digital inclusion and media services), the process moves into an implementation and data development phase. Each jurisdiction is working on its Implementation Plan at the moment, with Victoria and NSW already tabling theirs at their respective State Parliaments. Other jurisdictions are finalising their Implementation Plans currently, which should each include media and communications actions. FNMA has just joined a Data Development Working Group which is responsible for planning how data is collected and managed in relation to Closing the Gap. This aligns with our work on sector research and infrastructure requirements. Further updates to come as the process continues.
  • FNMA continues to participate in the reference committee to draft revised Community Broadcasting Codes of Practice. The draft is currently with the ACMA for early feedback and will be circulated to the sector for input this year.
BLACK SCREEN | NEVILLE BONNER BIOGRAPHY
In this interview of BREAKING GROUND, Neville Bonner shares his experience as the first Aboriginal person in Federal Parliament, representing Queensland as a Liberal Party Senator from 1971 to 1983. Bonner crossed the floor 23 times to vote against his own party and in 1982 the Liberal Party demoted him from first to third place on the Queensland Senate ticket. Bonner resigned from the party in fury, stood as an Independent, but was not re-elected. AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING ON INDIGITUBE UNTIL THIS SUNDAY 11 JULY. Watch here.
Member Highlights
2021 Trailblazers | Dre Ngatokorua 
Listen to this empowering video with Dre (Mozzi) Ngatokorua from Umeewarra Aboriginal Media. Dre wants to encourage the world of young people to get into the media. Listen to Dre's inspirational journey of how he got to where he is today. Always remember to stay deadly!
Beyond the Bars - 20 Years
Beyond the Bars broadcasts from six Victorian prisons during NAIDOC Week 5-9 July 2021, helping raise the voices of incarcerated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The broadcasts can be heard on 3CR 855AM, 3CR Digital, or streaming live. Previous years are available to listen to anytime online here.
Opportunities
Connecting Up free webinar
Learn how to use NationBuilder to create a smart digital fundraising strategy for not-for-profit organisations at this free webinar session. This session will cover how to build relationships that build impact and personalise your asks to maximise the effectiveness of your fundraising efforts. 10-11am (AEST) on Tuesday 13 July. Register here.
National Aboriginal Press Club Event
The Centre of Aboriginal Independence and Enterprise is proud to announce the 4th National Aboriginal Press Club event, in Sydney at 12 noon, Monday 19 July 2021. the event will be MC'd by Bridget Brennan and will feature presentations from Stuff (New Zealand), The Saturday Paper, ABC and Fox Sports. Read more.
2021 NATSIMO Screen Composer Intensive
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), in partnership with the Australian Guild of Screen Composers (AGSC), is excited to announce the 2021 NATSIMO Screen Composer Intensive, a one-of-a-kind professional opportunity in screen composing for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander composer. Expressions of Interest are now open for eligible APRA AMCOS members based in New South Wales. Submissions close on Friday 30 July 2021. Read more.
Industry News
Malarndirri McCarthy tribute to Koori Mail
Senator for the Northern Territory Malarndirri McCarthy has paid tribute to the Koori Mail on the newspaper’s 30th anniversary. Speaking in the Senate, the former NITV and ABC journalist also spoke of the importance of First Nations media.

“First Nations media is so critical to our national landscape”, says Senator McCarthy.
“First Nations media connect communities, reflects aspirations and shares our culture."

Senator McCarthy says First Nations media industry members are the experts in getting information to communities in a way that is culturally appropriate, accessible and timely. “As an example, the First Nations media sector worked enormously hard to ensure communities were kept informed of the latest health and safety advice during this pandemic. Including a First Nations lens in our discussions on all issues, local, regional and national is critical if we are to play a role in shaping our own lives and futures and having a voice. And organisations like the Koori Mail are absolutely vital to this.”
ORIC Governance Training 2021-22
ORIC is planning (tentatively) its governance training offerings for 2021-22 and would like to know your preferences for training that would benefit your Directors, Managers and/or broader organisation. Tell ORIC what you would like to see here.
IDreamingTV
A new South Australian online First Nations screen and new media arts channel has been started, to provide our artists with a platform to promote, host and sell their work.

iDreamingTV is a screen and new media arts channel that will be available both online and through an app. iDreamingTV began in 1998 as South Australia’s Peak Aboriginal Screen and New Media Arts Organisation. Behind iDreamingTV online and on the app, which has been 10 years in the making, are Umeewarra Media producer Samantha Lee and First Nations filmmakers David Wilson and Albert Lovegrove-Buckskin.
"Over 10 years ago, iDreamingTV did a survey across South Australia of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities about what they wanted to see with screen and
multimedia in SA - the results of that survey were over 700 pages long and the strategy was released in 2011," David Wilson said. "It has been implemented since, and one of the main objectives was the development of this online space. Mr Wilson, a project coordinator, said the website and app were being built and hoped they would be live by the end of the year, after receiving funding through the Federal Government's Indigenous Languages and Arts program.

He said it would include artist profiles, including photos and videos of their work and a shop to purchase artwork, while the website and app would also include documentaries, podcasts and news. "It is a place where people can hear stories from the artists - about who they are, where they learned their art form and their future."
Funding
Grant for Good - NSW
The Bank of Sydney is celebrating its 20th anniversary by giving grants up to $20,000 to ACNC registered organisations that promote social inclusion activities, health and wellbeing, sports and other fields that benefit communities. Applications close on 20 July 2021. Read more.
Mental Health Month grants - NSW
WayAhead is offering grants to support mental health promotion or activities during the month of October. There is a grant category specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Applications close on 23 July 2021. Read more.
Infrastructure Grants - NSW
NSW Government is offering up to $200,000 toward building, renovation and/fit-out infrastructure for community organisations . Applications close on 26 July 2021. Read more.
NAB Foundation Community Grants - national
The NAB Foundation is offering grants up to $10,000 to help communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters. This funding could support emergency preparedness measures including training, equipment protections, emergency systems (and backups) and business resilience. Applications close on 30 July 2021. Read more
Heritage Bank Charitable Foundation - national
Grants up to $25,000 are available to help establish pathways for children and teenagers and/or to help support the economic and emotional wellbeing of communities particularly in times of disaster. This funding could potentially support school-based trainees, partnerships with schools and other community organisations and mentoring programs to engage young people in media. Applications close on 30 July 2021. Read more.
Round 2 2021-22 - national
The Community Broadcasting Foundation has opened grant round 2 for 2021-22 with grants available to support content production and development & operations for community media organisations. Applications close on 17 August 2021. Read more.
Positions Available
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FIRST NATIONS MEDIA AUSTRALIA
2/70 Elder St,
PO Box 2731 Alice Springs NT 0871
www.firstnationsmedia.org.au | 08 8952 6465


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