25th January to Annual Report December 2008 ice.org.au 25th January to Annual Report December 2008 Contents

Overview of ICE 4 Switch: Emerge: Africa on Screen 30 ICEMAP: The Visual Guide to ICE 6 Switch: Emerge and Specialist Consultancy Services 31 Chairperson’s Report 8 Switch: Urban Music Project 32 Executive Director’s Report 9 Switch: Switch Acadamy 34 25 Years in Pictures 10 Switch: Parramatta Screening 35 Cultural Development Program (CDP) 13 Switch: Changing Lives 36 CDP: Youth Digital Cultures 14 Auspiced Projects 38 CDP: Parkroar 16 Hong Kong Exchange 38 CDP: Create Media! 18 Community IT Program (CITP) 39 CDP: Remembering Minto 18 Artfiles 41 CDP: Digital Territories: Palestine 18 Artfiles: Professional Development 43 CDP: Sydney Writers’ Festival 19 ICE Research Projects 46 CDP: Sydney Arab Film Festival 20 People and Partners 47 Matt Huynh: Improving the Day to Day 22 Financial Statements 51 A Tale of Two CIties: From Paris to Parramatta 22 Switch Multimedia And Digital Arts Access Centre 23 Switch: Digitales 24 Switch: Tropwest 27 Switch: Lattice: Sydney 28 Overview of ICE

In 2008…

Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) creative practitioners, which also includes a “Information and Cultural Exchange is a vital works at the intersection of arts, culture, publication and online resource. ICE has technology and community. ICE works across expertise and success in developing digital influence in the social and creative life of Western Greater Western Sydney, Australia’s most media, community development and arts Sydney. For more than two decades, ICE has been culturally diverse region. Our projects programs that engage thousands of evolving and growing, responding to the creative creatively engage diverse communities and individuals, artists and communities annually artists to generate new forms of cultural and is known and respected for undertaking urges and social needs of the region and its many expression, build cultural and community projects with newly arrived migrant and different communities. While we must never capacity and infrastructures, encourage refugee communities and young people. become complacent about the organisation’s intercultural dialogue and tell the stories of ICE has grown rapidly in recent years, this extraordinary place. responding to increasing demands of Western success, it is fair to say that many of its programs, ICE manages Switch, Western Sydney’s Sydney communities for creative such as Artfiles and Switch, have become crucial state of the art multimedia and digital arts opportunities and cultural expression. access centre, in partnership with Parramatta Stretching our resources to capacity, ICE has to the cultural life of Western Sydney.” Council. We manage Artfiles: connecting built momentum from successful programs Professor Ross Gibson, ICE Chairperson Western Sydney arts, a program of support that seek to deliver new, creative ways to and development for the region’s artists and meet these needs.

4 5 ICEMAP: the Visual Guide to ICE

1 Innovation 2 Incubation 3 Capacity 4 Communication 5 Alliances 6 Continuity Generate fresh forms of Seed new arts, Build capacity of socially- Amplify Western Sydney’s Build strategic alliances Develop sustainable cross-cultural expression community and digital excluded communities to diverse and creative and partnerships to operations so programs GOALS and models of community media enterprises, share their stories, voices through the strengthen operations build momentum and digital engagement. projects and practices deepen participation and exhibition and promotion and boost creativity. provide genuine pathways to sustainability. effect change. of bold new work. for ongoing participation within and beyond ICE.

1 | 2 | 3 | 5 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 2 | 3 | 6 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 Cultural Development Program Switch Community IT Program Artfiles

Encourages innovative collaborations A program and space to provide access to Strengthening Western Sydney communities Professional development, profile, between culturally diverse communities new media technologies to communities by building regional IT capacity, improving employment and recognition for Western and the arts sectors, to develop new models who typically lack access. information exchange, and targeting gaps Sydney artists, arts and culture. for CCD practice and produce new work and needs. (with a focus on digital media). KEY KEY PROGRAMS 1 Support and resource cultural development in 1 Incubate emerging artists, projects and 1 Develop IT skills and infrastructure 1 Professional development and capacity- Western Sydney creative enterprises Resource community networks, NGOS, libraries, building for artists Initiatives assist communities and young people Artist residencies; mentorships; incubation workers; support access centres. to self-sustainability; provide advice and program. 2 Resource artist business and employment information in response to requests. 2 Build digital capacity of organisations and Incubate arts enterprises, employment 2 Skills and capacity-building for artists and service providers brokerage, information, referral. 2 Generate dialogue and research around artsworkers Multimedia training; capacity-building intersections of culture, arts, technology and Digital arts training; refugee radio initiative; collaborations (Connecting Parramatta). 3 Cultural brokerage with local government in community in Western Sydney web/design workshops; ‘active flix’ video project. Western Sydney Research with University of Western Sydney and 3 Develop innovative IT capacity-building Contribute to cultural planning; build networks; University of Technology Sydney (Digital Cultural 3 Deliver cutting edge community digital arts initiatives collaborations. Atlas, dig. stories). initiatives Digital access for excluded groups; Connect Out Africa On Screen; Suburban Grooves; hip hop project with isolated and recently-arrived 4 Interactive and dynamic information resource 3 Produce high quality community-led cultural projections; Arabic v-logging. communities. New website; biannual publication; e-bulletin. projects Remembering Minto; Hip-hop and urban culture 4 Increase isolated communities’ access to 4 Spearhead innovative research and 5 Profiling artists and resourcing arts projects. digital arts development marketing Mobile kits; access programs. Community IT mapping; conferences: Our Media, Artfiles showcase; artist profiling and marketing; 4 Progress CCD practice in Western Sydney Making Links. residency and skills program attached to Mentorships; master classes, youth initiatives 5 Switch Academy training and cost-recovery incubator. (Youth Digital Cultures). Open, fee-paying digital arts training. 6 Regional cultural mapping 5 Connect communities and cultural institutions 6 Switch Productions Dis/place project (refugee artists with Museum Revenue-generating service to produce of Contemporary Art & CAC); Sydney Writers’ specialist, culturally-savvy multimedia resources. Festival. 7 Maintaining facilities, equipment and Synergy 6 Develop strategic cultural interventions programming capacity Arabic youth film initiative; incubating Sydney Work across and between ICE programs to mutually reinforce and support outcomes, Arab Film Festival. 8 Hire of Switch and portable equipment fill gaps, break new ground and make connections.

6 © Information and Cultural Exchange, 2007 7 Chairperson’s Report Executive Director’s Report

I am privileged to write the Chairperson’s Parramatta in 2009. Although we had not report in the 25th Annual Report of ICE. It is planned to move until 2011, we have secured an important opportunity for us to celebrate beautiful premises in the heart of Parramatta and reflect on ICE’s extraordinary achieve- where our relationship with the local council ments, not only over the past year, but over remains vital. As we leave Granville, we thank the past 25 years of community cultural the AMWU for their support. development work in Western Sydney. This year, we farewell Nadya Haddad, Over the past 25 years ICE has survived and The majority of people we employ are from ICE has become a crucial part of the Tiffany Lee Shoy and Andy Lloyd James thrived, supporting thousands of artists and Western Sydney. We are not parochial; we cultural life of Western Sydney. Moreover I from the Board. We are so grateful for their creative workers, working with tens-of- simply believe in the skills and talents of this am proud to affirm that our national and wisdom and expertise (we have had the thousands of individuals and attracting local region. international standing continues to grow, benefit of Tiffany and Nadya’s energy and and global recognition for Western Sydney. I personally had an amazing year of including connections in the Middle East, intellect for six and seven years!). Sad as we We have grown and matured, adapted to professional development. Highlights Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. We have are to lose them, we are thrilled to welcome changing landscapes, and always stayed included participating in the Australia 2020 welcomed new international partnerships Elaine Leong and Mohamed Duar to the strongly connected to our local communities. Summit, undertaking the Asia Australia this year, for example Etihad Airways Board. I have had the privilege of being with ICE for Media Executive Leadership initiative and sponsored the co-directors of the Sydney Working with ICE, my gratitude and 10 of these years. graduating from the Asialink Leadership Arab Film Festival to attend the Biannual admiration grow year by year, as I observe The past year has been exciting and program. Beirut International Film Festival. the dedication that the staff, contractors, challenging. We planned for a relocation and ICE would not exist without the support Over the past two years we have volunteers and participants of ICE pour into undertook a review and restructure. We of so many. In particular, our dedicated, developed important new agreements with it. Even in these times of change and larger thank Minister for Western Sydney David talented and inspiring staff, contractors, arts our major funding partners, which have social pressures, the ICE workers continue to Borger and Julie Owens MP for helping us workers and volunteers should be allowed us to plan more strategically and to amaze and delight with their generosity, procure our future premises, owned by the recognised. implement our new business plan with ingenuity and tenacity. Of course, the same Parramatta Catholic Diocese, and Laurie I thank our Board for their significant greater vision and certainty. goes (and then some!) for our fantastic Ferguson MP for connecting us with the contributions in legal, strategic, marketing The strength of our new business plan Director, Lena Nahlous. On behalf of the AMWU, who gave us a home for five years. and financial areas. Thanks in particular, go has guided us as we embarked on the first Board I thank and salute her for the For several years, part of our vision has to our Chairperson Ross Gibson, whose year of the six-year Key Producer astonishing commitment, direction and vision been to tell the unique stories of our diverse generosity has seen his involvement in partnership with the Australia Council, one of that she brings to the organisation that we region via digital storytelling, and this everything from the ICE review, to mentoring our valued partners. We are thrilled to all treasure completely. became a reality in 2008. By the year’s end young artists, and sharing architectural combine this with three-year partnerships we had trained a group of arts workers and advice about our new premises. with the British Council, the NSW Film and created 55 compelling ‘mini-films’, some of We sincerely value the investment and Television Office, and also with one of our them award-winning. As the Australian support of all of our partners and financial key supporters, Arts NSW. Professor Ross Gibson partner in Digitales, we hope to develop an contributors, particularly core supporters This financial consolidation was an ICE Chairperson online portal for these and other stories. Arts NSW, the Australia Council, NSW Film opportunity to examine, shift and reorganise In 2008 we hosted more artist and Television Office and Parramatta City ICE, and we undertook a review and residencies than ever, commencing with our Council. restructure and began to enact these British Council Australia partnerships with We are looking forward to producing changes over the latter part of 2008. We are Hi8us and Proboscis. Both worked with fresh and meaningful work in 2009, as we excited about our enhanced capacity to deal young cultural leaders, sharing practices and embark on the next exciting steps of ICE’s with the challenges and opportunities seeding new work and partnerships. journey. looming locally, nationally and internationally We attracted thousands of people to our during the next few years. programs and events, and were an important After being sponsored by the AMWU for employer of artists and creative workers, Lena Nahlous five years, ICE will be relocating to engaging over 80 contractors and 17 staff. Executive Director

8 9 ICE began in the 1980s 25 years in pictures as a mobile van community information service for the Parramatta-Holroyd areas. In 1993 ICE was established in its current form, with the commencement of a community cultural development program, and a shift in the community information program from generalist information to a focus on technology. At this time, ICE focused on the Parramatta and Holroyd areas, and had two annually-funded positions. In the late 1990s, ICE experienced a significant increase in demand for services, 1993-4 particularly in relation to technology, multimedia Guildford Mural Underpass Project and cultural diversity. A strategic review and restructure consolidated ICE programs to focus on the nexus between arts, technology and cultural diversity. ICE also began to emerge as a Western Sydney organisation. The Artfiles program was developed in 1999, seeking to showcase arts and culture in the Western Sydney region and facilitate artists’ skill Information on Wheels: before 1993 ICE was known 2001 development and employment. Initially intended as the Holroyd Parramatta Information Van. 1993 Jirrin Journey as a directory for the Parramatta-Holroyd area, Temporary Switch Centre at the Artfiles expanded quickly to a professional Con(temporary) Arts Centre, Parramatta development program covering all 14 local 2003 government areas of Western Sydney. Artfiles now comprises partnerships with 12-14 Councils, business, cultural organisations and the State and Federal Government, and has increased employment and exposure for the region’s arts 1992-2003 2003 2002 and cultural sector. The program formed the ICE’s old home in Parramatta Postcards from Parramatta UK-and-Japan exchange basis for our current partnerships with artists, First Suburban Grooves workshop Inaugural Artfiles Launch Western Sydney Councils and cultural 1999 2002 organisations. ICE has grown rapidly from two staff in 1999 to now 17 and more than 80 contractors and artists by 2008. We have grown financially ten- fold during this period and have expanded projects, partnerships, geographical and conceptual areas of work, and our profile. 1999 In 2004, ICE broke new ground with the Switch 1997-2000 The Western Sydney edition of Artfiles establishment of Switch, the first digital arts 2003 was launched in 2001 access centre in Western Sydney, in partnership with Parramatta Council. In recent years, ICE has built a reputation for our fresh digital media work with refugees, migrants, young artists and communities.

11 2007 2005 Urban Music Project Youth in Transition 2005

2003 2001 Cultural First graphic design project The First Sydney Arab Film Festival Originate graduates Remembering Minto 2006 2007 Development Program (CDP)

2003 Emerging Communities Project

2001 Team ICE 2006 Living Without Violence 2007 2001 Poetry projections, film festivals, oral histories and digital design — these are some of the innovative projects supported by ICE’s Cultural Development Program.

The CDP seeks out artists who bring and build skills in digital media, strategic 2005 influences from around the world, often planning and marketing. In 2009 ICE is moving premises again, back IT on the Move honed through harrowing life experiences. The benefits for Australian audiences to Parramatta, to a larger space that can Agents of Change Working with cutting-edge technologies, it are immense — an international community 2005-7 accommodate the expanded activities of sets up collaborative projects to develop of arts practitioners who are able to inject Switch and ICE. We are looking forward to skills in the arts community. new techniques, technologies and traditions this new phase in our story. Programs deliver needs-based training into our cultural life to revitalise and to connect artists with cultural networks, re-examine our community identity.

13 CDP Youth Digital Cultures

Youth Digital Cultures builds creative leaders for the future — a diverse group of skilled “Young people from Western young artists from Sydney’s West who can express themselves through digital media. Sydney have been negatively Through targeted workshops in filmmaking, storytelling, performance, music and portrayed and often video production, this three-year project develops the digital skills of people under 25 in sensationalised in mainstream Western Sydney. It also showcases their work through festivals and screenings. media, thus an aspect of YDC Participants come from diverse backgrounds, and many have taken on tough subjects, is about training young people such as educating young women about eating disorders. All are producing vibrant work up to combat these stigmas, that reflects the cultural diversity of their world. contribute positively and build creative and cultural leaders of the future for this region.” Maria Tran, YDC coordinator

In 2008… Chop Chop - Rumble Pictures Launch ‘Maximum Choppage: Round 2’ makes no In the second year of YDC’s three-year Film Buff Discussions year to develop their individual skills in areas apologies for having as many kick-ass kung- program, the focus was on the participants’ Film genres that influence young Western such as photography, radio broadcasting, fu showdowns as possible. Filmed with professional development, training and Sydney filmmakers were the key topics under urban music and screenwriting. almost no budget over four years, the 70- mentorship. Up to 90 participants took part discussion at two free “film buff” nights minute film was produced by Cabramatta in the program during the year. hosted by the YDC program. The first Ninjas of Dawn collective Rumble Pictures. The fast, furious focused on sci-fi filmmaking, while the To promote the launch ‘Maximum Choppage: and funny action-adventure follows two arch second looked at martial arts films. Round 2’ (see box), 10 YDC participants took rivals as they fight over a girl in downtown to the streets with a flash-mobbing Fairfield. Professional Development performance. Dressed as ninjas they roamed Around 500 people turned out for the YDC participants took part in events, forums the streets with “I love Western Sydney!” weekend season in late September 2008, and workshops throughout the year to banners. The performance was documented including representatives from the ABC and increase their skills and networks. Highlights on video, edited and uploaded to YouTube the Film and Television Office. It was held as included work experience on the film set of and other media outlets. a series of screenings over four nights at the ‘Shopping’, a networking excursion through Fairfield School of Arts and featured Western Sydney arts organisations and a trip YDC DVD presentations by directors Khoa Do and to the set of The New Inventors at the ABC. The achievements of the 2007 program were Graham Patrick. highlighted in the high-energy Youth Digital In the wake of the success of ‘Maximum Projects and Mentorships Cultures 2007 Showcase DVD. Featuring Choppage: Round 2’, Rumble Pictures was Pop Series YDC supported a number of other projects short films, project images and footage of commissioned to produce a six-part micro Young Western Sydney filmmakers learned and mentorships in 2008. participants in workshops and discussion series for the ABC. In December 2008, skills in scriptwriting, acting, directing and My Sang Le ran a four-part i.design sessions, the DVD captures the essence of ‘Downtown Rumble’ was screened nationwide editing through the intensive Pop Series film graphics workshop for her fellow YDC the Youth Digital Cultures project. on Triple J TV. YDC coordinator Maria Tran training program. Running from October to participants from July to October. produced and starred in the series and December, 19 people from Fairfield took part. The radio play Private Dick Payne, a six- participants Ali Kadhim and William Eriyma Youth Digital Cultures was supported by Foundation They produced six challenging two- part comedy, was produced by YDC’s Alex for Young Australians, Arts NSW, Australia Council also featured. Check it out on the ABC minute films that addressed weighty issues Trofin and Jack Ngu. The team plans to air for the Arts, and the AMWU. Rumble Pictures was website (abc.net.au/triplej/tv/comedy/ such as racism, substance abuse and public the play on community radio and develop it supported financially and in-kind through Fairfield downtownrumble.htm). City Council’s Cultural Grants Program, Powerhouse safety. The team of specialist trainers as a theatre piece with Powerhouse Youth Youth Theatre, Switch Multimedia Centre — ICE has been proud to support and included award-winning film director Amin Theatre. a partnership with Parramatta City Council, mentor this collective through the Foundation for Young Australians, ICE’s Western Palangi and the ABC’s ‘Double the Fist’ Industry-specialist mentors also worked Sydney Screen Culture Program supported by the development of this project via Originate actor/director Craig Anderson. closely with YDC participants throughout the NSW Film and Television Office. and Youth Digital Cultures.

14 15 CDP

In January, Ali and renowned dance instructor Darrio Phillips held urban dance and parkour workshops in Kingswood as part of Penrith Council’s Neighbourhood Renewal project. Up to 40 kids, aged five to 18, took part, culminating on 24 January in an open workshop presentation at Kingswood Park Public School.

Parkroar

‘Parkroar’ fuses multimedia with parkour, the French art of urban body movement, to “There is no limit to the promote physical and mental strength as well as to encourage a spirit of humility and art form, the only limit courage. As a metaphor for overcoming the obstacles we face in life, parkour provides is in your mind.” practitioners and audiences with a positive message of disciplined transformation. Ali Kadhim, creator of Parkroar

In 2008…

For new media artist Ali Kadhim, the internet in and see an excerpt of his film ‘The is the natural place to expose his great Obstacle is the Path’ at abc.net.au/rn/ passion — the French art of urban movement streetstories. known as parkour. In 2007, Ali received an The Parkroar website (www.parkroar.com) Emerging Producers in Community (EPIC) was officially launched at Casula Powerhouse grant from the Australia Council to work at on 23 August in conjunction with a ICE for a year. He trained over 60 young photographic and video installation of the people in the art of parkour, recording the work produced during Ali’s residency. The process and mapping their landscapes online event was launched by special guest as ‘Urban Jungle’. stuntman Grant Page, and featured parkour At 21 years of age, Ali Kadhim is demonstrations and workshops, and Australia’s foremost practitioner of parkour. multimedia and live performance by Ali and He is also a filmmaker who is known for his his 9Lives crew. The Parkroar website arresting editing skills — particularly graceful features Ali’s impressive series of parkour montages of his ‘9Lives’ crew in action. videos and short films created during the Parkroar was supported by the Australia Council through the Emerging Producers in Community On 24 February Ali was interviewed on lifespan of the project, as well as info on (EPIC) initiative, Arts NSW, Casula Powerhouse ABC Radio National’s Street Stories — listen future workshops. Arts Centre, Penrith City Council.

16 17 CDP CDP Create Media! Sydney Writers’ Festival

Young refugees and migrants will develop digital media skills to design their own creative projects under a new initiative from the Westpac Foundation and ICE. The ‘Create Media!’ project aims to train and support a group of participants to flesh out their creative ideas, and then spotlight one new media enterprise to be hosted and developed at ICE. Planning and research began in 2008, stay tuned in 2009 for more on this exciting program.

For seven years, ICE’s Cultural Development Program has worked with the Sydney Writers’ Festival (www.swf.org.au) to present a compelling program Remembering Minto of events in Western Sydney.

The Remembering Minto Project was initiated by residents of the Minto Public Housing Estate in response to the redevelopment announcement in 2002. The In 2008… Remembering Minto Group invited ICE to manage the project. book and to work with communities in Minto. Hip-Hop Projections 3 The project launched a book and website ICE chose to launch its Digitales project (see Held as part of the Sydney Writers’ Festival in 2007. ICE continued to update the website p24) in Minto and Campbelltown, producing at Carriageworks on 24 May, Hip-Hop (www.rememberingminto.org.au) with new 10 digital stories about life in the Minto Projections 3 launched the Urban Music CD stories and videos in 2008, to distribute the community. and book, ‘Subtext:2.’ This compilation of fresh sounds from Urban Music Project Remembering Minto was core funded through the NSW Department of Housing. participants (see p32) takes on subjects such as drug addiction, racism, multiculturalism, An Unimagined Evening love, pride and other issues inspired by their ICE presented a discussion between Imran daily lives. Ahmad, acclaimed author of Unimagined, Digital Territories: Palestine The night featured dynamic and Sydney-based Palestinian-Egyptian A free forum on the power of digital activism in the performances by course participants author and activist Randa Abdel-Fattah. 21st century, featuring Ali Abunimah, the Palestinian- alongside established MCs, singers, dancers ‘Unimagined’ is Imran Ahmad’s first novel American author and activist was held on 10 May. and guest tutors including MC Trey, DJ Nick and was named book of the year by the Abunimah is the co-founder of the Electronic Intifada Toth, OziBatla (The Herd), Mic Champion, ‘Independent’, the ‘Guardian’ and the ‘Sydney (electronicintifada.net), the world’s primary website on Darrio Phillips and the Eminent Family with Morning Herald’. It explores the dilemmas of information about Palestine. The forum marked the visual projections by Spook. A full house of a Muslim boy from Pakistan growing up in 60th anniversary of the partition of Palestine and the 350 people attended the show, double the Britain with humour and pathos — see creation of the state of Israel, known to Palestinians audience of the previous year. www.unimagined.co.uk. as al-Nakba (‘the catastrophe’).

Digital Territories Palestine was supported by SAFF, the Coalition for Justice and Peace in Palestine, ICE and An Unimagined Evening was supported by Sydney Writers’ Festival, Riverside Theatres and Parramatta City the Parramatta Artists’ studios. Council. See p32 for Hip Hop Projections additional supporters.

18 19 CDP Sydney Arab Film Festival

From girly chick flicks to the plight of political prisoners, from spiritual journeys to the “This is a true marketing success journeys of refugees, the annual Sydney Arab Film Festival brings the complexity and story which demonstrates that diversity of Arab experiences to the screen. the smart use of every available An antidote to mainstream stereotypes, the festival presents a vibrant Arab voice to marketing channel can pay off Australian audiences through a fantastic program of films, international guests and for a community organisation parallel events. It entertains and engages with well-crafted local and international dramas, which had only $7,500 to gutsy documentaries, razor-sharp shorts and penetrating discussion. promote their ambitious plan for a language-specific film Find out more at www.sydneyarabfilmfestival.com festival in western Sydney.” Stepan Kerkyasharian, Chair of the Community Relations Commission

In 2008… screened on Saturday 12 April and a of people said they would come back and had The fantastically successful fourth Sydney Festival Program discussion with ‘Seventh Heaven’ director, bought tickets to every screening. The Arab Film Festival (SAFF) was held on 10-13 SAFF featured 17 films from Arab filmmakers Saad Hendawy, raised issues relating to the program received a very positive response, April 2008 at Riverside Theatres Parramatta. in the Middle East, North Africa and Egyptian community. The launch of Changing with most respondents saying they loved the In 2008 SAFF attracted an audience of over Australia. It presented two community Lives was also accompanied by a forum. selection, particularly ‘Caramel’. 2000 people, double the audience of 2007. forums, a filmmaker discussion session with Egypt-based ‘Seventh Heaven’ director Saad Local Films Invitation to Lebanese Film Festival Hendawy and the first uncensored feature SAFF screened two locally made In October, SAFF directors Mouna Saylah and film to come out of Iraq in over a decade — documentaries that investigated the 2006 Fadia Abboud were invited to attend the ‘Underexposure’. Israel war on Lebanon — ‘Lebanon Burning’, Ayam Beirut Al Cinemai’iya Arab Film Festival directed by well-known and respected in Lebanon (www.beirutdc.org), sponsored by Sold-Out Sessions journalist Peter Manning, and the short Etihad Airways. The Festival is a major All forums and all but one of the film documentary by Australian-born Lebanese international event hosting several hundred screenings sold out. Opening night featured Mirna Nasser, ‘A Wishful Smile’. filmmakers from the Middle East, Asia and the Australian premiere of highly anticipated Europe. Lebanese chick flick, ‘Caramel’. It screened at Changing Lives Project Riverside Theatre’s largest venue, seating The powerful Changing Lives project 770, and sold out in 10 days. developed digital stories by young Iraqi women from Western Sydney (see p36). The Marketing Award stories were screened at the festival and the In recognition of SAFF’s spectacular video-makers discussed their work, in an marketing campaign, on 25 November incredibly popular session. ICE won the prestigious 2008 National Multicultural Marketing Award from the NSW Audience feedback Community Relations Commission. Audience evaluation forms revealed a strongly positive experience. A high number Forums Accompanying the screenings of ‘Lebanon The Sydney Arab Film Festival is managed by Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) and driven by the Burning’ and ‘A Wishful Smile’, the Lebanon organising committee. ICE receives core support from Arts NSW and the Australia Council for the Arts. Forum hosted a vibrant discussion on issues The Sydney Arab Film Festival was supported by NSW Film and Television Office, Etihad Airways, World Media International, Coast Clothing Co., Parramatta City Council, Riverside Theatres, Casula Powerhouse, raised in the films that lasted for three hours. Media Loft, Filmotion Productions, NSW Community Relations Commission, El Sweetie, the Egyptian A Forum on Palestine accompanied the films Consulate Sydney.

20 21 CDP

“We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver successful training while using our skilled trainers and industry-standard procedures and equipment.” Kirstie Boerst, Switch Training Coordinator

For Matt, the project opened up new potentials for working with Proboscis. “We hit it off and have since kept in touch,” he says. “This project came along and they saw a synergistic opportunity to collaborate.” Matt Huynh: Matt worked with the group, famous for Improving the Day to Day its innovative multimedia collaborations, on a project with the Peterborough community Switch Matt Huynh (aka Stikman) produces detailed that creatively interpreted their visions of and evocative graphic work, matching the their community’s future. He also worked visual shorthand of comic storytelling with directly with Proboscis, developing the surprisingly poignant portraits and unusual group’s communication tools — finding ways Multimedia and stretches of perspective. In late 2008 the of incorporating comics and visual young artist launched his work storytelling into their renowned “story cube” internationally, beginning a project with the concept. Digital Arts edgy UK artists’ collective Proboscis For Matt, comics are a way of telling (proboscis.org.uk). uniquely Australian stories. His work ICE introduced Matt to Proboscis UK searches for a relevance in the daily lives of through his participation in their Lattice: Australians. “What role can comics play — or Access Centre Sydney workshops (p28) in February and what need can comics fulfil — within uniquely March. Some of the participating artists’ Australian lifestyles that can improve work, including Matt Huynh’s, can be viewed people’s day-to-day? At it’s core, this is the Opened in 2004, Switch is a state-of-the-art digital media lab at sydney.latticeproject.net. focus of my work in comics,” he says. offering new media equipment to the community and artists. Capable of producing commercial-quality video, audio and graphic design, it includes 12 Apple G5 Powermacs loaded with industry-standard programs. Switch also has an audio studio, A Tale of Two Cities: From Paris to Parramatta comprehensive video editing equipment and a full mobile Both France and community and culture through training kit with 11 computers and video and audio equipment. Australia have community cultural development. Acting as both a technology hub at its base in the ICE office, large immigrant Hosted by ICE, on 16 June Dr Paula and as an outreach service with mobile kits, Switch targets and refugee Abood presented a discussion paper at communities who lack access to equipment and skills in populations, Parramatta Artists Studios based on her but they have Paris research at La Cité Internationale emerging media. radically different des Arts in 2007. Frank Panucci, Director Switch empowers digital artists and new media practitioners approaches to of Community Partnerships, Australia by giving them greater creative control over their work. community and difference. France labours Council for the Arts responded to the under the system of integration paper. Dr Abood’s research was supported Switch is managed by ICE in partnership with Parramatta City Council, and enjoys support (l’intégration), while Australia’s through Australia Council’s Community from the NSW Film and Television Office, Arts NSW, the Australia Council for the Arts, and the multiculturalism focuses on identity, Partnerships program. AMWU. Thanks to Fuji Xerox for financial assistance with the Switch upgrade.

22 23 Switch DigiTales

From urban youth culture to working class histories, from recently arrived refugees to Indigenous communities — the diversity and complexity of Western Sydney’s stories lend themselves to innovative and experimental forms. As the Australian partners in the international DigiTales project, ICE is moving beyond the boundaries of traditional linear narratives to explore the possibilities of interactive digital forms. Through DigiTales, ordinary people make digital stories or “mini films” about their lives. Participants learn how to write a script, edit images such as photos, drawings, tickets and life souvenirs, and make them into a two-minute film. These stories are posted on the ICE website (ice.org.au/digitales), building a patchwork of personal moments that reveal the diversity and similarity of experiences in different cultures. In 2008…

Over 55 digital stories were made by young manipulation. Trainers selected software that people from diverse backgrounds, including is readily available for free, which allowed from African, Vietnamese, Cambodian, New participants more scope to make other films Zealander, Australian Indigenous, Fijian, in the future. Each project was tailored to its “This method places the stories under the Filipino, Russian, Afghan, Japanese, Chinese, community group, and the bilingual trainers control of the storyteller. The aim is also to Lebanese, Iraqi and Palestinian communities. were able to engage with diverse bring people together through their personal These films were screened at events and communities. stories and to capture a wide variety of festivals to more than 2,000 people, and to The stories created by participants in experiences worldwide.” Outi Vellacott, Hi8us UK thousands more via ABC Television’s Arts DigiTales Australia can be viewed at Show, ICE’s website and the Sydney Morning ice.org.au/digitales. Herald’s online coverage. Fairfield Stories DigiTales Australia This project was run in partnership with After the successful and inspiring visit by the Fairfield City Council and University of Hi8us team to kick off DigiTales Australia, Western Sydney, targeting Cambodian young ICE got down to work. One of the eight people in its first stage. young leaders trained by Hi8us, Maylei Hunt, became the project coordinator. Maylei is Changing Lives also a graduate of ICE’s Originate program Changing Lives (p36) was coordinated by (p000), where she learned arts project Fadia Abboud, who was also trained as a management and digital media skills via an DigiTales trainer. accredited TAFE course. The DigiTales workshops focussed on Screenings skills in media production, including film and DigiTales films from the Changing Lives sound editing, digital photography and photo project (p36) were screened as part of the

Digitales is supported by Australia Council for the Arts, Arts NSW, NSW Film and Television Office, British Council Australia, Westpac Foundation, Ian Potter Foundation, University of Western Sydney, Parramatta City Council, Fairfield City Council, AMWU, Foundation for Young Australians and ICE’s Switch Lab, Auburn Community Development Network, Hi8us / DigiTales (UK), Cambodian Australian Welfare Council of NSW, Granville Multicultural Community Centre, Sarah Redfern High School, Macarthur Diversity Services, Holroyd City Council, Riverbeats Festival, Campbelltown Council and Campbelltown Arts Centre.

24 25 Switch Switch TropWest

Each year Sydney’s iconic Tropfest (tropfest.com) heads west to UK meets Western Sydney: uncover talented Western Sydney filmmakers through TropWest, Hi8us Residency in collaboration with ICE and the NSW Film and Television Office. The world’s largest short film festival actively seeks out film entries from Sydney’s West through the TropWest event, which is aimed at answering questions and encouraging participation. ICE also awards the TropWest Scholarship, including support, mentoring, a small production budget and access to the cutting-edge facilities at Switch for a lucky filmmaker to produce a film for Tropfest. In January, ICE was thrilled to partner with Minto, assisted by the Hi8us team, training the British Council to host the dynamic team 16 young people. who instigated the global DigiTales project in 2006. Hi8us members Outi Velacott and Digitales events Jerry Rothwell visited Western Sydney to A Hi8us ‘welcome event’ was held at In 2008… launch DigiTales Australia, with ICE as the Parramatta Heritage Centre on 16 January, Australian project partners. The project showcasing the work of the organisation to Tropwest Event forms part of ICE’s three-year partnership around 100 people from Sydney’s arts and Following on from its huge success in 2007, with the British Council. cultural communities. The official DigiTales the second TropWest was held on 18 October Australia launch was held at Campbelltown 2008 at Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres. Youth leaders trained Arts Centre on 25 January. The launch Over 100 people attended the free event, In the first stage of the residency, the Hi8us featured screenings of over 20 mini-films which offered potential Tropfesters from team trained eight of Western Sydney’s created during the three workshops, and Western Sydney a full rundown of the entry young media leaders in the art of digital over 120 people attended. process, including selection criteria, storytelling and workshop facilitation. The filmmaker activities and the chance to Western Sydney filmmaker or team in their training included the group completing their Media network with Tropfest organisers and fellow entry to Tropfest 2009. own digital stories. The Hi8us residency was covered by ABC filmmakers. The inaugural winner was Hinchinbrook TV’s arts program, the ‘Sydney Morning The line-up of high-profile speakers resident Tresa Ponnor (pictured) who was Campbelltown and Minto Workshops Herald’, SBS radio, the ‘Daily Telegraph’ and included multiple Tropfest winner Craig presented with the award by The Hon. David In the second stage the eight young leaders five suburban newspapers. Anderson, Jet Wilkinson (director of ‘All Borger, MP (Minister for Housing and Minister ran two workshops in Campbelltown and Saints’ and ‘Neighbours’), acclaimed script for Western Sydney). editor Billy Marshall Stoneking, Ranko Markovic (producer of ‘Cedar Boys’), Success at Tropfest filmmaker Johnny Tran and Tropfest 2008 Following on from TropWest 2007, many April Sydney Arab Film Festival (p20), and water and our relationship to it. winner Michelle Lehman. Western Sydney filmmakers entered Tropfest introduced by the young filmmakers. In November DigiTales was showcased at Award-winning films from Tropfest 2008 2008 and TropJunior for under 15s). On 11 April DigiTales were screened at the the Making Links Conference in Melbourne. were also screened and one-on-one ‘Speed Several were shortlisted in top 60 youth-art event Freedom of Expression at the On 5 December Holroyd Council hosted Meet’ sessions allowed filmmakers to discuss TropFest films, while ‘My Brother, My PCYC in Minto. the Moonlight Screening, a community their own projects. Sanctuary’ won the prestigious Bright Spark On 12 September a community screening showcase of 14 films from the Cambodian Award. Bankstown filmmaker Johnny Tran, of Fairfield Stories was held for the and Changing Lives projects in Merrylands. TropWest Scholarship Award who was sponsored by ICE to make the film, Cambodian community at Cabramatta West Participants introduced their films at the In 2008 ICE’s TropWest scholarship, valued has gone on to win a scholarship with the Public School. open-air screening. at $5000, was launched to support a Participate Film Academy. The DigiTales Showcase was launched by Minister Virginia Judge on 11 November as DigiTales trainers: Bernard Amore Makeny, Denis Nguyen, Fadle El Harris, Fadia Abboud, Fatima part of the Riverbeats Festival (riverbeats. Mawas, Maria Tran, Maylei Hunt, Vanna Seang and TropWest was supported by Movie Extra Tropfest, NSW Film and Television Office, Riverside Theatres, Switch com.au), Parramatta’s fabulous celebration of Zahra Shafaq. Multimedia Centre, Parramatta City Council, Australia Council and Arts NSW.

26 27 Switch

Lattice:Sydney “Our aim in Lattice is to collaborate with practitioners from a variety of disciplines, in both new and traditional media. Sustainability and the city was the focus of Lattice: Sydney, a collaborative project It’s a chance to explore our changing relationships with our between ICE, the British Council and acclaimed UK media artists Proboscis communities and our environments.” Alice Angus, co-director of Proboscis (proboscis.org.uk). Renowned for their collaborative projects around the world, Proboscis’ projects and artist-in-residence from Thailand: explore the relationship between individuals, communities and the environment they Kasama Yamtree. inhabit. The project aims to develop new methods for creatively transforming our cities into Exchange Labs better places. Proboscis’ innovative social mapping techniques have been connecting with Proboscis also held half-day Exchange Labs leading-edge, grassroots creative practices happening in communities across Western with 12 additional artists and arts workers to Sydney and internationally. develop project ideas and to explore networking skills and tools to engage communities. The Exchange Lab was aimed at using In 2008… new techniques and tools to extend creative projects, including knowledge gathering, ICE and the British Council invited mapping and sharing and other approaches individuals and small groups of artists, to setting up projects and collaborations. filmmakers, musicians and creatives with an interest in community and network practices Creative Cities: In The Making to participate in the Lattice: Sydney The residency culminated in a symposium workshop. The workshop was aimed at and presentation of the work developed community project participants interested in during the residency on 7 March at the using new techniques and tools to extend Granville Youth and Community Centre. their creative projects aided by Proboscis’ The forum featured a discussion on unique approach to mixing online and offline rethinking creative cities and sustainability, media, traditional arts and crafts and new with Professor Ross Gibson and Thai artist technologies. It explored new ways of Kasama Yamtree in conversation. gathering and sharing knowledge and Proboscis Visit approaches to setting up projects and Alice Angus and Orlagh Woods from collaborations. Proboscis visited ICE in February and March The selected artists worked alongside Transforming Thai Communities for a three-week residency. They Proboscis for three-weeks. Aged between 18 collaborated with ICE on their new work and 35, the participants are emerging as A group of young Thai architects and designers are ‘Lattice’, as well as hosting a round of energetic and influential hubs within their rethinking their urban spaces through Community Architects workshops eagerly anticipated by Western communities. Participants were: artists-in- for Shelter and Environment (CASE, casestudio.info), which Sydney artists. residence from Proboscis Alice Angus and develops innovative projects working in poor communities. Lattice: Sydney formed part of the larger Orlagh Woods; Western Sydney artists David The 25-year-old CASE artist Kasama Yamtree travelled Lattice project to engage communities in Capra, Ali Kadhim, Sanez Fatouhi, Amin to Sydney to participate in the reimagining of urban space East Asian Cities in exploring creative and Palagni, Ben Hoh, Tiffany Lee-Shoy, Fatima under-taken through the Lattice: Sydney project. environmental sustainability in urban Mawas, Ben Nitiva, Matt Huynh, Tak Tran and She joined ICE for three weeks of intensive workshops landscapes. The project blog is at Tina Tran of Popperbox, Denis Asif Sado, with UK arts team Proboscis during their residency at ICE in sydney.latticeproject.net. Trey Thomas and Maria Tran, Todd Williams February and March. Ms Yamtree also presented at the forum discussion ‘Creative Cities: In the Making’, drawing on her experience working collaboratively with communities on Lattice::Sydney was a partnership with Proboscis and the British Council. Additional partners were the Foundation for Young Australians, Parramatta City Council, the AMWU, Australia Council for the Arts and projects like a playground, and a memorial for people lost in Arts NSW. the tsunami.

28 29 Switch Switch Emerge: Africa on Screen Emerge and Specialist Consultancy Services

It’s not easy dealing with the culture shock of moving to a new country. New and Via projects like the Emerging Communities initiative, ICE has built a strong reputation for emerging communities have limited ways of communication or connecting about shared producing innovative communication resources that speak to a diversity of languages and experienced of settling into Australia. cultures. Increasingly, ICE is receiving requests from agencies, organisations and other The Emerging Communities Media Initiative (Emerge) works with these communities groups for its specialist production services. on media training programs — particularly in radio and multimedia. The program focuses ICE’s clients know that the organisation is in a unique position to utilise cutting-edge on practical skills, training migrants to develop their own original material for broadcast technology, and its grassroots community networks to produce resources that have real and digital publishing. relevance to people in Western Sydney.

In 2008… In 2008…

Switch: Africa on Screen Launch of Colour Blind and The Applicant ICE was engaged to develop the content for African filmmakers in Western Sydney are On 5 February two short films produced two media-based campaigns targeting not afraid of putting tough issues on the through the Sudanese Filmmaking Group emerging and refugee communities. screen. War, domestic violence, disability and were launched at Riverside Theatres, the refugee experience are just some of the Parramatta to an audience of over 200. Community Legal Education challenging issues explored by participants Colour Blind features no spoken dialogue Video Production Raising Kids Together of ICE’s Africa on Screen program. and explores the experiences of recently Tackling issues such as crime reporting, The families of children with disabilities in For more than six years, ICE has arrived Africans in an inhospitable urban traffic offences, domestic violence, alcohol the Afghan, Iraqi and Sudanese communities supported a community of talented African landscape. The Applicant also used visual and drugs, this short film raises awareness were the focus of this 20-minute DVD and filmmakers, many of them recently arrived storytelling techniques to examine on the Australian legal system among booklet. The project aimed to increase the migrants. The project offers training in discrimination in the workplace. migrant communities. understanding of disability among recently production, access to resources and The 20-member Sudanese filmmaking Due for completion in late 2009, the arrived refugees, and to provide them with promotes films in networks around the world. group was seeded through ICE’s Emerge DVD will feature a 20-minute film targeting information on services available to help Africa on Screen has attracted strong project in 2005. ICE continued to support Sudanese, Burundian, Congolese, Tanzanian them. participation and interest from local and this collective, which led to the production of and Iraqi communities in the Fairfield Local The DVD and booklet were produced in international audiences. these two films. Government Area. It will use storytelling six community languages — English, Dinka, The program’s Speakers at the launch included Hashim techniques to reach communities with low Juba-Arabic, Arabic, Dari and Assyrian and productions have Elhassan, founder of the Sudanese literacy levels in both English and their first featured a cast of 49 actors, mostly from been shown in the Filmmaking Group and Tania Chambers, CEO language. The DVD will be available in Dinka, Afghan, Iraqi and Sudanese backgrounds. United States, of the NSW Film and Television Office. Arabic and Swahili and possibly other The resource kit was launched on 8 Paris, Hong We promoted, distributed and screened community languages. December at Lidcombe Community Centre. Kong and the the videos to thousands of people at film Netherlands. festivals and events throughout the year.

Raising Kids Together was a was a strategic partnership with the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association NSW and NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service, and was produced for the NSW Our supporters are NSW Film and Television Office, Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care. The Community Legal Education Video is a partnership with and Switch Multimedia Centre — a partnership with Fairfield City Council’s Community Safety and Crime Prevention Program and the Law and Justice Parramatta Council. Foundation. For additional partners see p49.

30 31 Switch

Urban Music Project live performance, as well as in hip-hop dance and krump with guest choreographer Darrio Phillips from the US. Hip-Hop Stories, held from May to June, offered TAFE-accredited training and for the first time combined hip-hop music and digital storytelling. The eight-week program extended the usual Urban Music program with photography, video making and digital storytelling components. Sixteen unemployed and ‘at risk’ young people participated in the project. Achievements of the Urban Music Project were showcased at Hip-Hop Projections 3, held at Carriageworks as part of the Sydney Writers’ Festival (see p19).

African After-School Program In partnership with Granville Multicultural Centre and Granville Youth and Community Centre, the Urban Music Project presented an African hip-hop outreach project from May to June. Students learned to write lyrics and record beats and four songs were recorded for the ‘Risky Business’ CD.

Horn Island Project For many young people, hip-hop is a rare outlet, an opportunity for self-expression Urban Music Project Coordinator MC Trey through the music they love. and Bankstown filmmaker Fadle El Harris flew The Urban Music Project, coordinated by ARIA-nominated hip-hop artist MC Trey, to the Torres Strait to deliver a music delivers music workshops for diverse and socially excluded young people aged 12 to 25. production and camera skills program in Using facilities at Switch, they learn to write lyrics, create digital beats, record original collaboration with Oxfam. Local Horn Island songs and make video clips. group One Blood Hidden Image produced the Participants produce a CD compilation and perform live at hip-hop events. The project song and clip ‘4 Tha Balaz’ — available on has uncovered many emerging talents and given them the skills to take their music YouTube (au.youtube.com/watch?v= further. Course participants have gone on to study in related fields, form hip-hop crews UhantuJZpBY). In the next stage of the and gain employment in the industry. project young hip-hop artists from Sydney will respond to them in song.

In 2008… Fiji Independence Day Performance Young participants in the Island Beatz Workshops through a music blog. Denis Sado was a program performed for 10,000 people at the African Soundz 3, held in January, was a guest presenter on the course, introducing Fiji Independence Day celebrations at school-holiday music program for young African cultural elements. Belmore Stadium on 11 October. people in the African community. Sudanese, Suburban Sista Soundz 3, held from Zimbabwean and Kenyan young people took February to March, brought together 16 The Urban Music Project was supported by Vodafone Australia Foundation, South West Sydney Institute of part, writing, recording and producing songs, young women. They developed their skills in TAFE — Granville Outreach, the Sydney Writers’ Festival, Performance Space, Oxfam, Granville Multicultural as well as learning how to publish their music songwriting, music production, recording and Community Centre, Fiji Youth Initiative, and the AMWU.

32 33 Switch Switch Switch Acadamy Parramatta Screening

Western Sydney’s diverse community produces rich and fascinating stories: an Afghan girl struggles against the pressure to marry; a Sudanese migrant sees the funny side of Australian culture, a group of strangers become firm friends through the Winston Hills Cricket Team. These are among the unique perspectives being filmed under the three-year Parramatta Screening project, which will launch a swag of exciting new filmmakers. The aim? To build film skills and encourage screen production in Parramatta.

In 2008…

Springboard The filmmaking intensive Springboard, held in January, was the first component of the three-year Parramatta Screening project. Eight first-time filmmakers under 25 years of age were successful in being selected for the three-week program. They produced six short films (four dramas, two documentaries). The group was diverse, Launched in 2008, the Switch Academy including young people from Lebanese, offers low-cost digital-media training using Facilities Upgrade Sudanese, Indian, Turkish, Afghan, Iraqi and the facilities at the Switch Multimedia and The Switch Multimedia and Digital Arts Anglo-Australian backgrounds. They also “It was fantastic being given Digital Arts Access Centre. All courses are Access Centre underwent a major worked with around 30 other participants the resources and taught by new-media professionals who offer redesign and upgrade, including installing who took on various roles, such as cast, crew opportunity to make the film. real-world tips, tricks and techniques. 12 new LCD monitors with funds donated and production. They were mentored by There’s nowhere else you Beginning in August the Academy by Fuji Xerox. The outreach kit was also experienced screen producers Kirstie Boerst, can really go in this part of delivered a program of 28 courses on expanded with five new PC laptops and Amin Palangi and Craig Anderson. Sydney to get this support.” subjects ranging from storyboarding to three new Mac laptops, as well as new Filmmakers: Abdelrahim Salih, Api Raipana, Erryn Akpinar, Springboard participant recording vocals. The Switch Academy also audio recording equipment. Erryn Akpinar, James Khouri, Jessica Ongley, delivered a digital photography workshop for Laura Ongley, Mina Zaki, Shourya Nidhi eight ABC Radio National staff in August and Success! the Switch Academy Photoshop course in Springboard Launch Two participants went on to study at the Parramatta/Holroyd in September. The films were launched to an audience of highly competitive Screen and Media course more than 150 people at Riverside Theatres at Gore Hill TAFE. Erryn Akpinar’s film on 19 March. ‘Madeline’s Last Eye’ took out the Achievement in Script Writing Award at the 2008 Short Cuts Film Festival, while Jessica and Laura Ongley received the Achievement Parramatta Screening was supported by Parramatta in Editing Award. Short Cuts is Western City Council and the NSW Film and Television Office. ICE receives core support from Arts NSW, Sydney’s premier short film festival for young the Australia Council for the Arts, and the AMWU. people.

34 35 Switch Changing Lives Best Animation Award Themes of migration, homesickness, detention and friendship are key issues examined On 27 September, through ICE’s Changing Lives project. The project develops the storytelling skills of Asmaa Farzam won the Arabic-speaking young people. They take part in intensive workshops, empowering them Best Animation Award at with skills to make and tell their own stories and share them on the internet via a video the 2008 Reel Life Film blog, or vlog. Festival in Sydney for her film ‘A Moment of Life’, made through the Iraqi Girls Changing Lives project.

In 2008…

Digital Storytelling Workshops on her video work, and plans to further her Film from the Iraqi Girls’ workshop were The Changing Lives project used the study in this field. She has also been screened to an audience of 250 at the Digitales (p24) workshop format for its three employed to assist at other Changing Lives Sydney Arab Film Festival at Riverside workshops in 2008. All participants were workshops. Theatres Parramatta. The films were shown aged 13 to 19 years old, and 16 of the 21 alongside ‘Underexposure’, one of the first stories produced were uploaded onto the Palestinian Young Peoples’ Workshop uncensored feature films to come out of Iraq communal vlog site (www.changinglives. The second workshops involved 10 young in decades — which proved a very popular com.au), launched at Sydney Arab Film people from Palestinian-Australian session. Festival on 13 April 2008. backgrounds. Participants developed strong The workshop format included discussion themes in their films, including displacement, of video pieces from young people around friendship, identity, and growing up in the world to emphasise the power of vlogs to Australia. The discussions provided an “It was a great experience to communicate strong messages. As important opportunity to talk about issues work with editing facilities participants discussed the lives and of separation from their homeland. and to tell my story, it gives experiences of other young people, they me more understanding of opened up to their own stories and Granville Boys Workshop the ability of new media and experiences and what is important to them. years; all had spent time in detention. They The final workshop involved 19 young men the different ways to tell a Participants then worked on their own films, gave strongly positive feedback and many from Granville Boys High School, pre- story using pictures and learning skills in advanced video editing, said it was the first time they were able to dominantly from Lebanese backgrounds. visuals.” Abrar Saleh, participant story structure and storyboarding, video and talk openly their journeys to Australia, sound recording. experiences of detention, feelings of loss, Screenings separation and fear for family at home. Changing Lives films were screened at Iraqi Girls Workshop One participant, Hawraa El Saidi, wanted ARTSLAM 21 at the Museum of Sydney, the The first Changing Lives project, running in to use video and multimedia in her HSC art Reel Life Film Festival, the Riverbeats Festival January, February and March, involved eight program but did not have access to the Parramatta, the FAIR Art of Leadership Youth young Iraqi women who had arrived in technology or expertise at her school. She Conference in Auburn, Penrith Council’s Australia by boat as refugees in the last five was given one-on-one support and mentoring Refugee Welcome Zone celebrations.

Changing LIves was supported by Arts NSW, Australia Council for the Arts, Auburn Community Development Network, Sydney Arab Film Festival, Auburn Girls High School, Council of Australian Palestinians, Granville Multicultural Community Centre and Granville Boys High School Links to Learning program.

36 37 Auspiced Projects

Big Trouble, Little Fish ICE auspiced Fadia Abboud’s professional arts project grant to Parramatta City Connect: Council. The project was scaled back to fit the grant and Fadia undertook professional development activities, including attending the Director’s Guild Community IT conference and undertaking an on-set internship with an award-winning director on the set of the SBS series, ‘East West 101’. The bulk of the grant funds were put towards the production of the short film, ‘Big Trouble, Program Little Fish’ (pictured left).

Parramatta Clay Arts In 2008 the Parramatta Clay Arts group set about developing their business plan, and forming an independent entity. ICE auspiced their social enterprise grant from Parramatta City Council. The group completed their draft business plan, rules and constitution, and became an incorporated association in December 2008. They were able to apply under their own name for a Parramatta Social Enterprise grant in the 2008 round.

Hong Kong Exchange

From June to October 2008, ICE hosted visiting scholar Shing Au-Yeung from the Department of Sociology at Many people in Western Sydney are victims of the digital divide. the University of Hong Kong. Shing visited Australia for Through social and economic disadvantage, they’re missing out five months to undertake comparative research for his on employment opportunities, social networks and the cultural PhD between arts organisations in Australia and Hong Kong. Through its research partnership with Univerity possibilities offered by emerging technologies. of Technology Sydney, ICE was able to assist Shing to The Community IT Program (CITP) teaches digital skills. develop a relationship with the Transforming Cultures Through its professional development programs, it helps non- Research Centre, where he was based for his visit. government organisations create services that use cutting- “ICE has offered me the best possible support for a visiting researcher, and my time at ICE is a life edge technologies. Examples include training NGOs to establish enriching experience,” said Shing Au-Yeung. “ICE is community wikis, generating blogs, and producing digital video visionary in promoting access to the means of doing resources. creative work and actualising artistic endeavours, and is characterised by an energetic working team and the CITP offers outreach technology training. Working primarily capacity to network and form partnerships. It serves as with marginalised communities, it teaches computer literacy an excellent model of small to medium sized and shows participants how to use digital resources in their contemporary art/cultural/social organisation not only daily lives. in Sydney, but also in Asia-Pacific and the world.”

38 39 CITP

“Artfiles... remains the single most effective In 2008… means of reaching potential arts audiences in Western Sydney.” Women’s Web streamlined, easy-to-update template was Tony Nesbitt, Manager — Arts Programming, In January the Women’s Web Directory Wiki used to make the most of the resources Sydney Olympic Park Authority (womensweb.pbwiki.com) was launched, a available and community members, including digital directory of services for single some who were introduced to the concept of women. CITP supported and trained workers blogging for the first time, acquired the skills from Parramatta Mission Single Women’s to maintain the blog. Services to build the wiki, which is a website that allows users to add or edit content Making Links quickly, creating a collaborative site. The culmination of a year of careful planning, on 11-13 November, the Making Links Penrith Cyber Mums Conference (www.makinglinks.org.au) drew Young parents reveal their personal together workers in the non-government experiences through stories and poems on sector to discuss emerging technologies, IT the Proud 2 B Young Parents blog infrastructures and new opportunities for the (proud2byoungparents.blogspot.com), set up sector. ICE’s Community IT Program Manager, with support from CITP. Liliana Ruti, was a key organiser of the Up to eight young mothers and two conference, including generating an e- young fathers between the ages of 16 and 23 bulletin with an estimated readership of attended the six-week program in June. It 200,000. was held at the South Penrith Youth and Neighbourhood Service, and childcare was Connect DVD Artfiles provided. The young parents developed Celebrating 25 years of empowering strong personal relationships with others in communities with IT skills and knowledge, Providing artists with creative opportunities of all kinds, the group and were proud to have created a the Connect DVD was completed in 2008, to Artfiles is an essential resource for Western Sydney’s exploding dedicated, judgement-free space to celebrate be launched in 2009. It showcases the arts scene. and communicate their experiences. They successes and future plans of the Community Artfiles runs a professional development program for artists also acquired skills in digital publishing, IT Program, the initiative that kick-started design and writing. ICE, and marks the rebranding of the and acts as a brokerage service between artists and the wider The participants have continued to program as ‘Connect: ICE’s Community IT community, including governments, businesses and audiences. update the blog, most by accessing the Program’. The famous Artfiles directory, available online internet through youth centres and public libraries. Community Research (artfiles.com.au) and in print, has a global audience of over In 2008 CITP completed a survey of the IT 200,000. It features descriptions and Harris Park Community Blog needs of 45 community-based organisations contact details for over 1000 cultural The Connect program assisted the Harris in Western Sydney. The findings will be creators — including artists, writers, Park Community Centre to set up a blog site compiled and launched in February 2009 (harrisparkcc.blogspot.com) to keep people with the Connect DVD. designers and performers — as well informed about resources and activities. A as details on facilities, programs and activities. The associated weekly e-bulletin Artfiles News keeps CITP receives core support from the NSW Department Community Services. ICE’s receives core support from Arts NSW, Australia Council, and the AMWU. The Making Links conference is a collaboration between ICE, thousands of subscribers updated on Donortec, Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, QUT Creative Industries Faculty, Western Australian Centre for Health Promotion Research, Curtin University of Technology, Vibewire and Infoxchange Australia. exhibitions, opportunities and events.

40 41 Artfiles

“The Artfiles publication, program and expanded online portal continues to be a focal point and critical resource for the many sectors involved in Western Artfiles Launch Sydney arts and culture, and Barbara Perry, Minister for Western Sydney also reflects the creativity and officially launched ‘Artfiles 2008/2009: diversity of this dynamic region.” connecting Western Sydney arts’ at The Hon Frank Sartor, NSW Minister for the Arts Parramatta Artists’ Studios on 13 March 2008. The launch featured performances by R’n’B singer Ben Nitiva, rapper Jonnie Walker and classical Indian dancer Jita Singh. It was In 2008… held in conjunction with the exhibition ‘Always Driving into the Sun’, offering a taste Artfiles of the diversity and energy of Western Now in its ninth year, the Artfiles directory Sydney’s arts scene. The exhibition was continues as ICE’s flagship publication, curated by Parramatta Artist Studio’s Michael connecting and showcasing artists from Dagostino and featured artwork by Heath across Western Sydney. For the first time Franco, Fida Haq, Sari TM Kivinen, Naomi ‘Artfiles 2008/2009: connecting Western Oliver, Joanne Saad and Garry Trinh. Sydney arts’ featured case studies and A tailor-made installation by Italian- artists’ comments on how Artfiles has Ukrainian artist David Capra was also on impacted on their lives and practice. Free display at the launch. Capra was awarded the copies are available at public libraries across Piemontese nel Mondo Arts Award, and Western Sydney or directly through ICE. named among the top 25 young Australian artists by ‘Art and Australia’ and Noise. His Site Redevelopment installation referenced his home suburb of In 2008 the Artfiles website (artfiles.com.au) Fairfield and the sculptures that adorn his was completely revamped to become a own profiles, news and events. neighbour’s homes, including dragons and dynamic online hub for artists. The new site The new-look website has attracted a lions (pictured, bottom right). makes it easier to browse artist profiles, strongly positive response. The Advisory including an ‘In Focus’ profile on a selected Committee provided input and feedback on Artfiles News Western Sydney artist featured on the front the redevelopment and the future directions Throughout 2008 the popular Artfiles News page and frequently updated. The redesign of the program. This included proposals to delivered a weekly e-bulletin linked directly also allows ICE to update news stories, grants gradually reduce and phase out the to updated content on the Artfiles website. and upcoming events on a daily basis. production of the physical publication, The bulletin features a selection of current Stage one of the website redevelopment increase the emphasis on local content for news from the Artfiles website under the was launched alongside the directory. Stage specific areas, create a portal for artists, and headings of Opportunities, Events, “Through Artfiles I had the two, scheduled for launch in mid-2009, will increase professional development activities Employment, Features, Funding, Giveaways opportunity to design enable artists to upload and manage their for artists. and Education. sculptures for Bonnyrigg Park, Fairfield, and have been able Artfiles is supported by Arts NSW, Australia Council for the Arts, Sydney Olympic Park Authority (Gold to work with the UK’s Sponsor), Chroma and Webstar Gold Sponsor); Auburn, Bankstown, Baulkham Hills, Blacktown, Blue Proboscis, which is really Mountains, Camden, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Holroyd, Liverpool, Parramatta, and Penrith Councils. Thanks to Social Ventures Australia for their assistance in developing aspects of Artfiles into a benefiting my practice.” creative enterprise and to our launch sponsor, Parramatta Artist Studios, Parramatta City Council. David Capra, artist

42 43 Artfiles Professional Development Program “Creating local opportunities for employment, at the same time Artfiles’ professional development program offers training and information on as filling a community needs gap, is a win-win as artists create employment, business strategy and creative opportunities. Artfiles builds the profile, income from working in their area and local communities gain skills and networks of Western Sydney artists by developing their capacity where they access to better services.” Joanne McNeill, Community Capacity Building Officer — need it most. Social Enterprise, Parramatta City Council

Professional Development Originate Graduates In 2008, the Artfiles program continued to Maylei Hunt completed Hi8us training in undertake professional development digital storytelling and is now employed as a consultancies for local government, staging Digitales trainer with ICE (see p24). Maylei is grants writing workshops with artists for also developing Real Tube, a project to train Fairfield City Council in February, and young Asian-Australians to produce two- delivering the marketing and promotion minute film clips focussing on cultural In 2008… component of the ArtSmart arts business stereotypes for YouTube. skills program (covering marketing, media, Vanna Saeng also completed Hi8us ICE Seminar Series photo documentation, and e-business) for training and now works as an ICE contractor, The successful monthly Seminar Series Parramatta Artist Studios in April. running digital storytelling workshops and brought experts into discussion with arts providing audio-visual services. Vanna is also practitioners from all fields. Artists Originate developing his Cambodia in the Solar System participated in discussions and sought advice Although the final Originate participants project, a series of video workshops that for their practice. The seminars were held in graduated in 2007, the graduates allow young people to document the stories venues across Western Sydney, with the demonstrated the enormous success of the and traditions of Cambodian culture. support of a range of partners and councils. project in their many achievements in 2008. Timothy Ly from Rumble Pictures The talks featured key individuals from The Originate program offered TAFE- launched the feature film ‘Maximum the arts and cultural industries, including accredited training, mentorship and access to Choppage: Round 2’ (see p15), with a further artists, actors, directors, musicians, curators digital resources for emerging arts workers commission from ABC TV. Ali Kadhim now and visual artists, including Khoa Do, to set up and manage their own projects. runs the successful Parkroar project (see OziBatla, Paula Abood, Michael Dagostino, Focussing on arts workers under-represented p16), based on le parkour workshops. Dante Ross Gibson, Aaron Seeto, Djon Mundine and in digital culture, the program worked with Barcoma is implementing his One Move One Adam Hill. Indigenous, Pacific and Asian-Australians Voice project, with funding from Penrith City Some of the key industry bodies ‘Arts marketing techniques for artists’ participants. Council, which focuses on culturally diverse represented were the NSW Film and at Whitlam Library, Cabramatta; In 2008 participants were offered young people from St Marys. Television Office, the Australia Council, ‘Indigenous arts — present and future’ creative support, mentoring and resources to Artsupport, Music NSW, Casula Powerhouse, at Bankstown Council; further develop their projects, as were Campbelltown Arts Centre, and the National ‘Arts, communities, enterprise: present and graduates from previous years. The group Association of Visual Artists, Arts Law future of support for the arts and culture’ met regularly with CDP manager Mouna Centre, and Creative Commons. at Auburn Council; Zaylah to develop sponsorship, fundraising, ‘Funding outside of the box: a workshop with marketing and financial management skills. The 10 seminar topics were: the Australian Business Arts Foundation’ Over 60% of graduates regularly use ICE and ‘Where do you get it? Funding your arts at St Marys Community Centre; Switch in their own projects, and many project’ at Campbelltown Arts Centre; ‘Getting your music heard’ at Holroyd achieved impressive success during the year. ‘Oz-made films: funding, formalities and Youth Services; finance’ at Newington Armory, Sydney ‘Emerging as an artist in Australia’ at Olympic Park; Parramatta Artist Studios; The seminar series was presented in partnership with Sydney Olympic Park Authority, SAMAG (Sydney Arts ‘Digital futures’ at Riverside Theatres ‘Creative Commons: all rights or some Management Group), Parramatta Artist Studios, Campbelltown Arts Centre and the following councils: Parramatta; rights?’ at Casula Powerhouse. Fairfield, Penrith, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Auburn, Parramatta

44 45 Research Projects

ICE conducts ongoing research and development to ensure the best-practice, sustainability and income diversity of the organisation. Officer (until May 2008) Aaron Woo, Administration Assistant Emma Ramsay, Administration Assistant ICE Research Projects Anique Vered, In 2008 ICE continued to develop its two key Executive Assistant to the research partnerships with the University of Director (until June 2008) Technology Sydney (UTS) and the University Fadia Abboud, Changing Lives of Western Sydney (UWS). Coordinator, Sydney Arab The research partnership with UWS Film Festival co-Director Rebecca Santos, HR Consultant focused on the Digital Storytelling project via People and partners Margaret Mayhew, Fairfield Stories (pictured left, also see p24). Research Assistant It looked at ICE’s mechanisms for negotiating Vanna Seang, Trainer agreements with participants to publish and ICE BOARD OF MANAGEMENT ICE STAFF AND and Media Artist distribute their stories. The research is also Chairperson Ross Gibson, CONTRACTORS Denis Asif Sado, adding value to a range of projects that are Professor of Contemporary Lena Nahlous, Director Project Assistant, Fairfield developing screen culture infrastructure and Arts, Sydney College of the Caitlin Vaughan, Stories; Trainer, Urban Music skills. Arts Assistant Director Deputy Chair Susan Green, Mouna Zaylah, DIGITALES TRAINERS Associate Professor of Cultural Development Bernard Amore Makeny Social Enterprise Hub Indigenous Education and Program Manager Denis Nguyen The Hubcubator — a hub for digital media Director of Nuru Gili Liliana Ruti, Community Fadia Abboud production and emerging creative Indigenous Programs, Information Technology Fadle El Harris enterprises — was one of the ideas scoped University of New South Program Manager Fatima Mawas under ICE’s research into new income and Wales Trey Thomas, Urban Music Hawraa El Saidi, Assistant Trainer revenue streams. Secretary Tilda Sikes, Project Coordinator Membership Manager for Kirstie Boerst, Switch Training Maria Tran ICE was accepted into the Social ARC@UNSW Coordinator Maylei Hunt Enterprise Hub Accelerator program, a Treasurer Caroline Vu, Solicitor Maylei Hunt, Digital Storytelling Vanna Seang partnership between Social Ventures Deputy Treasurer Heidi Coordinator Zahra Shafaq Australia, Parramatta Council and the Allco Freeman, Senior Project Amrit Kaur Gill, Artfiles Project Foundation, providing support and resources Officer for Community Officer and Seminar Series CONSULTANTS, for the development of social enterprise in Engagement, NSW Health Coordinator CONTRACTORS, TRAINERS AND CREATIVE PERSONNEL Parramatta. During 2008 ICE had the Committee Members Krissie Scudds, Artfiles Project Nadya Haddad, Solicitor Assistant (Acting) Key ICE consultants in 2009 support of Mentor Nick Hardge. Tiffany Lee-Shoy, Senior Amber Carvan, Web Producer, Amin Palangi, Springboard and Research included the interviews with Project Adviser, Cultural Media and Communications Youth Digital Cultures trainer artists, arts organisations, local government, Planning, Fairfield City Ali Kadhim, Artist-in-Residence, Barry Gamba, Emerging and state and federal government agencies. Council Parkroar Communities Consultant It emphasised making new connections and Andy Lloyd-James, Adjunct Jerome Pearce, IT and Colleen Smith, Bookkeeper gathering a range of new data from business Professor in Humanities and Facilities Officer Craig Anderson, Youth Digital Fatima Mawas, Youth Digital Cultures and TropWest and industry in Parramatta and Western Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Cultures Project Officer Trainer and Mentor Sydney. Elaine Leong, Legal Counsel, (until March) and Digital Denis Cala, Accountant Geekdom Stories trainer Jocelyn Payne, Financial Consultant, Illuminated Arts Our supporters are University of Western Sydney School of Communication Arts, University of Technology Mohamed Duar, National Donor Maria Tran, Youth Digital Sydney Transforming Cultures Research Centre, Fairfield City Council, Social Ventures Australia, Parramatta Liaison Manager, Amnesty Cultures Project Coordinator Consulting City Council, Allco. International Kylie Atkins, Administration John Tarranto

46 47 (ECJ Technology), Website Katy Denis, KTG Creative student, University of Sydney Olympic Park Authority Jack Ngu Warren Fairfax, and Database Consultant Khayam Ali Western Sydney Webstar Print (Gold Sponsor) My Sang Le Dept. of Disability, Ageing Meiying Saw, Lachlan Young Haruka Nakatani (Japan), Sponsors Moses Kuteesa and Home Care ICE Graphic Designer Lina Abu-Eid Internships International Arts NSW Monique Choy, editorial, writing Margarete Abuk Tong Katie Willin (USA), Macquarie Auburn Community PARKROAR/ URBAN JUNGLE REFUGEE COMMUNITY LEGAL and media/communications Margherita Cartisano University Internships Development Network ARTISTS EDUCATION RESOURCE Vanna Seang Marian Abboud Khoa Do, YDC mentor and Auburn Council Ali Kadhim, STEERING COMMITTEE Other Creative Personnel Marlon Simmons guest presenter Bankstown City Council director/ choreographer Alex Sentana, Fairfield Local and Contractors Matt Huynh MC Nova Bankstown Youth Development Johnny Tran, Area Command, NSW Police Abuk Juach MC Nova The Eminent Fam Service video artist/ cameraman Alira Morey, South West Sydney Achai Juach Mike Champion Theodore Jalloh (DigiTales) Blacktown Arts Centre Sean Mackenzie, Legal Centre Agnes Polese Miriana Marusic Yiu Woo (Aaron) Blacktown City Council sound artist/ soundtrack Amera Salah, Aguel Deng Mohamad Sakr Blue Mountains City Council Damian Baker, photographer Fairfield City Council Aher Diing Monique Choy OUR INTERNATIONAL GUESTS Camden Council 9 Lives crew Barry Gamba, ICE Ahmad Ali Nadyat El-Gawley AND RESIDENTS IN 2008 Campbelltown Arts Centre Ali Kadhim Bernadette Fleeton, NSW Amos Panoa Newe Tadiwe Kasama Yamtree, Thailand Casula Powerhouse Cheng Vuong Strategy to Reduce Violence Andi McComber Nick Toth Orlagh Woods, Proboscis, UK CCDNSW Chris Merriman Against Women, DoCS Andy Ko Noosheen Ali Shing Au Yeung, Fairfield City Council David Vo Caitlin Vaughan, ICE Anthony Deng Omeima Sukkarieh Hong Kong University Hawkesbury City Council and Francois Luong Claudia Guajardo, Augustino A Dut Ozi Batla (aka Shannon Alice Angus, Proboscis, UK Hawkesbury Regional Gallery Joseph Carbone Fairfield City Council Bastien Chapignac Kennedy) Jerry Rothwell, Hi8us, UK Holroyd City Council Julie Lam Clement Meru, Fairfield Migrant Ben Hoh Pat Johnson Outi Vellacott, Hi8us, UK Holroyd City Council Kevin Swami Resource Centre Ben Nitiva Paula Abood Saad Hendawy, filmmaker, Parramatta City Council Mason Truong Don Jordan, Benjamin Wani Peter Manson Egypt Parramatta City Council Michael Pham Crime Reporting, NSW Police Bernard Makeny Rahima Ghafari Ahmad Imran, Sydney Writers’ Penrith City Council Nicholas Newton Elly Raffo, Liverpool/Fairfield Cinzia Guaraldi Rajabu Rashid Festival guest, UK Western Sydney Regional Thanh Vu Women’s Domestic Violence Clement Meru Roger Graham Organisation of Councils Wisam Pauls Court Advocacy Service Damian Baker Rudge Hollis SAFF MANAGEMENT TEAM Wollondilly Shire Council Greg Brown, Youth Liaison Darrio Phillips Rukhshana Sarwar Festival directors MAKING LINKS CONFERENCE Officer, NSW Police Deborah Mills Saleh Saqqaf Fadia Abboud YOUTH DIGITAL CULTURES PARTNERS Kirsten Cameron, Deng Anthony Salma Ghadhban Mouna Zaylah COLLECTIVE ICE, Donortec, Australian NSW Legal Aid Doris Barrios Sarah Goodes Committee members Elizabeth Vu Federation of Aids Ricci Bartels, Fairfield Migrant Earthquake (aka Isabel Gill) Sarah Rhodes Firas Naji, Dr Phillip George, Roxie Vuong Organisations, QUT Creative Resource Centre Erryn Akinpar Sarah Young Alissar Gazal, Mohamed William Erimya Industries Faculty, Western Rosie Lambert Criminal Law Eugene Hoh Sayed Zobair Duar, Dr Paula Abood, Colin Gosper Australian Centre for Health Solicitor, Fairfield Legal Aid Fadeel Kayat Seide Ramadani Khaled Sabsabi, Fatima Jack Ngu Promotions Research, Curtin Sue Turner and Alana Fadle El-Harris, Shuk-wah Chung Mawas Timothy Ly University of Technology, Woodburry, Domestic Filmotion Productions Simon Clarke Festival team Hiba Kanj Vibewire and Infoxchange Violence Liaison Officers, Fatima Elzibar Soraya Asmar Sarah Goodes, publicist Aleksandar Trofin Australia. NSW Police Fatima Mawas Spook Soraya Asmar and Meiying Saw, My Sang Le Uttara Kchaao, Fairfield Finn O’Keefe Tarek Sawires graphic design Moses Kuteesa RAISING KIDS TOGETHER Command, NSW Police Gabriel Tadiwe Timothy Ly Alissar Gazal and Mohamed Denis Asif Sado STEERING COMMITTEE Glenda Chalker Uncle Des Dyer (Dharug Duar, sponsorship Ben Nitiva Ather Pervaiz, ORIGINATE PROJECT Ibasi Ohide Aboriginal Land Council) Fadle El Harris, video artist Simon Jiang Multicultural Disability Anita Barar Al-Aqsa Inc. Uncle Greg Simms Maissa Alameddine, Advocacy Association Dante Barcoma Isaac Anvia Yacoub Oraham website manager YOUTH DIGITAL CULTURES Barry Gamba, ICE Flynn Donovan Jacqui Bonner Zyrub Ibrahim Fatima Mawas, MENTOREES Diana Qian, Hulita Angaaetau Jason (Blaze) Murphy technical support Hiba Kanj Multicultural Disability Maylei Hunt Jita Singh VOLUNTEERS AND INTERNS Ben Nitiva Advocacy Association Rumble Pictures Joanne Saad Adi Vulase McComber ARTFILES ADVISORY 9 Lives Michael Camit, (Timothy Ly, Ryan Peters, Johnny Tran Damian John Baker COMMITTEE IS COMPRISED OF Trinity Productions NSW Multicultural Health Rudge Hollis, Maria Tran) Johnny Walker Denis Asif Sado (DigiTales) REPRESENTATIVES FROM: (William Erimya, Ricardo Communication Service Thim En Juanita Tippins Hafid Mawardi, Social Work Gold Sponsors Ciccone, Colin Gosper) Theresa Clark Vanna Seang

48 49 ICE STAFF MADE SOME Sydney Community Foundation Bankstown Youth Services SIGNIFICANT REPRESENT- Vodafone Australia Association ATIONS IN 2008 Artsupport Cambodian Australian Welfare NSW Government Arts Social Ventures Australia / Council of NSW Advisory Committee Parramatta Social Enterprise Campbelltown Library Australia 2020 Summit Hubs Council of Australian Parramatta City Council Arts Arts and cultural partners Palestinians Advisory Committee Blacktown Arts Centre Fusion Australia Auburn Community Carriageworks Granville Multicultural Development Network Campbelltown Arts Centre Community Centre (Management Committee) Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre Holroyd Youth Services Making Links Steering Sydney Writers’ Festival Infoxchange Australia Financial Statements Committee Parramatta Artists’ Studios Kingswood Park Public School NSW Film and Television Office Powerhouse Youth Theatre Liverpool Migrant Resource - Quarterly Industry Riverside Theatres Parramatta Centre Consultation / Roundtable Urban Theatre Projects Local Community Services Arab-Australian Cultural State Government partners Association Producers Steering Group, NSW Department of Disability, Macarthur Diversity Services Casula Powerhouse Arts Ageing and Home Care Minto Library Centre NSW Department of Housing Multicultural Disability Powerhouse Museum 2020: NSW Department of State and Advocacy Association Strategic Planning forum Regional Development Oxfam NSW Department of Regional Sydney Olympic Park Authority Parramatta College Information and Cultural Exchange Inc. Development Innovation Unit Local Government partners Parramatta Mission Electronic Media and Gaming Auburn Council Sarah Redfern High School 31 December 2008 Roundtable Bankstown City Council South Western Sydney Institute Baulkham Hills Shire Council of TAFE - Granville Outreach PARTNERS AND SPONSORS Blacktown City Council Spanish and Latin American ICE would like to thank our Blue Mountains City Council Association for Social 52 Treasurer’s Report partners and sponsors for their Campbelltown Council Assistance support in 2008. Camden City Council The Women’s Cottage 53 Balance Sheet Key Organisational Partners Fairfield City Council University of Western Sydney - 53 Statement of Equity Arts NSW Hawkesbury City Council Centre for Cultural Research Australia Council for the Arts Holroyd City Council Business and Industry 54 Income Statement NSW Film and Television Office Liverpool City Council Partners Major Program partners Parramatta City Council Allco Foundation 56 Notes to and forming part Australian Manufacturing Penrith City Council Business Advisory Services Inc. of the Financial Statements Workers’ Union Western Sydney Regional Clubs NSW Foundation for Young Organisation of Councils Etihad Airways 59 Statement by Members Australians International partners Movie Extra Tropfest NSW Department of Canada Council for the Arts Parramatta Chamber of of the Board of ICE Community Services Hi8us Commerce Parramatta City Council Proboscis Pigott Stinson Law Firm 60 Independent Audit Report Westpac Foundation Community, education Western Sydney Business Project partners and funders and training partners Connection British Council Australia Auburn Barnados Fairfield City Council Auburn Community University of Technology - Development Network Centre for Transforming Auburn Youth Centre Cultures Australian Federation of AIDS University of Western Sydney - Organisations School of Communication Bankstown Youth Development Media Arts Services

50 51 Balance Sheet FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008 Treasurer’s Report

CURRENT ASSETS 2008 2007 Cash and cash equivalents 3 699,890.49 512,230.83 2008 was a very successful year for operations and financial position. ICE made a Receivables 4 25,140.50 39,232.52 ICE from a financial perspective. smooth transition over the course of 2008 to Prepaid expenses - 7,546.80 One of the most significant developments the new budget system under the supreme Inventory 5 3,986.43 10,209.15 was that whilst overall, our budgets remained guidance of our financial management team of TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 729,017.42 569,219.30 at the similar healthy levels of previous years, individuals (both internal and external to the ICE secured several diverse and important organisation). The Board has benefited greatly NON-CURRENT ASSETS sources of funding for the first time. from the new and user-friendly financial Leasehold improvements - at cost 183,908.00 183,908.00 Specifically: reports, which allow us to understand the true Less: Accumulated depreciation (183,796.25) (162,814.00) • ICE was awarded funding under the Australia financial position of the organisation much 111.75 21,094.00 Council’s prestigious Key Producers Grants: more easily. Office furniture and equipment - at cost 120,947.97 120,947.97 the six year funding means that ICE has The solid groundwork laid in respect of Less: Accumulated depreciation (96,950.97) (83,723.97) more flexibility in being able to prepare ICE’s finances over the past few years means 23,997.00 37,224.00 budgets on a long-term basis and plan its that ICE is much better equipped to deal with TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 24,108.75 58,318.00 finances more strategically. ICE also secured the financial challenges that await in 2009. a third triennium of funding from our core ICE had been planning to relocate its premises TOTAL ASSETS 753,126.17 627,537.30 sponsor, Arts NSW. ArtsNSW has continued in 2011. However, circumstances require that to be one of our most important sponsors our relocation take place in 2009, and so will CURRENT LIABILITIES and we are pleased to announce that we will require significant expenditure over the Payables 98,566.82 180,089.10 be proceeding with a new triennium of coming year (which our carefully planned Deferred income 6 378,534.96 221,736.17 funding from 2009; budgets allow us to do). In addition, ICE plans Provision for staff entitlements 7 92,004.84 68,688.09 • ICE increased the level of funding from to undertake equipment upgrades in 2009, TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 569,106.62 470,513.36 foundations and philanthropic organisations: which will form another significant expense. in addition to continuing important funding As always, I would like to thank, on behalf NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES relationships with organisations such as the of the Board, each of our sponsors, and Provision for staff entitlements 7 160,470.71 137,381.50 Foundation for Young Australians, in 2008, particularly our key sponsors, Arts NSW and TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 729,577.33 607,894.86 ICE also received its first grant of funds from the Australia Council for Arts, the NSW the Westpac Foundation; Department of Community Services, NET ASSETS 23,548.84 19,642.44 • ICE received some of its first significant Parramatta City Council and the NSW Film and donations as a charity with Deductible Gift Television Office, Westpac Foundation and the EQUITY Recipient (DGR) status: having attained this Foundation for Young Australians. Accumulated income at the beginning of the year 19,642.44 11,439.74 status, there is potential for ICE to develop In particular, I am incredibly grateful to our Operating surplus for the year 3,906.40 8,202.70 this into a significant income stream. Our financial management team, Caitlin Vaughan, Total accumulated income 23,548.84 19,642.44 DGR status is important for the work that we Lena Nahlous, Colleen Smith, and Jocelyn TOTAL EQUITY 23,548.84 19,642.44 do and the ways in which new supporters Payne of Illuminated Arts Consulting, who can become more involved with the allow the Board to govern with full confidence STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY organisation. in the organisation’s finances. RETAINED INCOME As you may recall from the previous Retained income at the beginning of the financial year 19,642.44 11,439.74 annual report, ICE began significantly Add: Net surplus attributable to the Association 3,906.40 8,202.70 restructuring its budgets in 2007 to develop Caroline Vu Retained income at end of the financial year 23,548.84 19,642.44 new systems that better reflect and track ICE’s Treasurer

52 The accompanying notes (p56) form part of these financial statements. 53 Income Statement FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008

INCOME 2008 2007 EXPENDITURE 2008 2007 Grants and donations Audit fee 5,750.00 5,500.00 - Arts NSW 275,000.00 275,000.00 Bookkeeping 16,442.55 14,530.55 - Australia Council for the Arts (CCD Program and Project grants) 215,406.00 154,254.00 Bank charge and merchant fees 1,747.40 3,427.78 - Dept of Community Services (DOCS) 173,032.00 71,875.00 Building repairs and maintenance - 748.04 - NSW Film and Television Office 60,000.00 40,000.00 Cleaning 1,050.00 11,300.00 - Department of Housing - 15,000.00 Consultancy fees (artists and production) 30,360.00 84,310.77 - TAFE NSW (ArtStart) - 51,000.00 Contractor fees (production and technical) 50,391.10 34,430.24 - Local Government 147,339.09 142,300.00 Depreciation 34,209.25 49,130.27 - Vodafone Foundation - 65,000.00 Legal costs 1,037.90 604.00 - Westpac Foundation 65,000.00 - Library and resources 2,069.03 1,778.99 - CDSE Grants - 24,750.00 Equipment 10,278.62 988.17 - CDSE (Parramatta Leagues Club) - 9,994.00 Equipment repairs and maintenance - 2,383.92 - British Council Australia 21,560.00 - Media, marketing and documentation 88,079.37 92,210.19 - Foundation for Young Australians 65,000.00 60,000.00 Insurance 11,690.81 11,908.88 - Community Relations Commission 3,000.00 - ISP-webhosting 7,144.75 2,886.24 - Department of Family, Community & Indigenous - 2,700.00 Programmes and production 148,030.64 136,693.42 - University of Western Sydney 16,016.64 - Provision for doubtful debt reduction (3,000.00) - - Unexpended grants at the beginning of the year 166,406.17 136,060.26 Printing, postage and stationery 27,054.05 41,794.34 - Unexpended grants at the end of the year (270,295.09) (166,406.17) Relocation and storage 13,016.63 4,931.27 TOTAL GRANTS AND DONATIONS 937,464.81 881,527.09 Rent 18,297.11 14,718.15 Staff training, recruitment and welfare 26,411.39 8,322.12 Other Income Staff entitlements 46,405.96 (19,734.75) - Membership and subscriptions 250.01 736.55 Strategic planning 985.09 2,771.82 - Interest received 34,821.73 31,973.94 Subscriptions 3,809.69 3,611.56 - Advertising - 17,225.44 Sundry 1,128.39 5,336.37 - Project management fees 106,115.59 40,617.50 Security 1,045.33 786.90 - Sponsorships 4,500.00 10,000.00 Office amenities 2,167.62 1,893.68 - Box office ticket sales 17,833.41 3,506.00 Superannuation contributions 59,899.91 63,794.19 - Merchandise and resource sales 4,962.84 5,382.46 Telephone 14,883.17 13,840.54 - Equipment and venue hire 5,731.43 10,513.64 Travelling expenses 26,697.92 15,243.46 - Training income 20,333.08 12,170.93 Wages and salaries 501,362.48 401,767.32 - Reimbursements 11,074.05 5,020.37 Workers comp. insurance 5,378.52 4,205.81 - Consultancy fees 924.13 3,755.46 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 1,153,824.68 1,016,114.24 - Donations 13,090.00 515.10 - Sundry income 630.00 1,372.46 OPERATING SURPLUS FROM ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 3,906.40 8,202.70 TOTAL OTHER INCOME 220,266.27 142,789.85

TOTAL INCOME 1,157,731.08 1,024,316.94

continued…

54 The accompanying notes (p56) form part of these financial statements. 55 Notes FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2008

1 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES (c) Revenue 2008 2007 (a) These financial statements are a special Interest revenue is recognised on a 2 AUDITOR’S REMUNERATION purpose financial report prepared in order to proportional basis taking into account the Remuneration of the Auditor for: satisfy the financial reporting requirements of interest rates applicable to the financial assets - Auditing the financial statements 5,750.00 5,500.00 the Association Incorporation Act NSW. The as it is received. TOTAL 5,750.00 5,500.00 board has determined that the association is Revenue from sales of goods is recognised not a reporting entity. upon the delivery of the goods to the 3 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS The statements have been prepared in customers. Cash at bank 699,690.49 512,030.83 accordance with the requirements of the Revenue from the rendering of a service is Cash on hand 200.00 200.00 Associations Incorporation Act NSW and the recognised upon delivery of the service to TOTAL 699,890.49 512,230.83 following Australian Accounting Standards and customers. other mandatory professional reporting Revenue from funding authorities received 4 RECEIVABLES requirements: in advance is deferred to the period to which it Trade debtors 32,140.50 47,232.52 AASB 101 Presentation of Financial relates and included as an accrual on the Less: provision for impairment of debtors (7,000.00) (10,000.00) Statements balance sheet. Other debtors - 2,000.00 AASB 110 Events After the Balance Sheet TOTAL 25,140.50 39,232.52 Date (d) Inventories AASB 116 Depreciation of Non-Current Inventories are measured at the lower of cost 5 INVENTORIES (CURRENT) Assets and net realisable value. Books published and remaining unsold 3,986.43 10,209.15 AASB 1020 Accounting for Income Tax AASB 1031 Materiality (e) Employee Entitlements 6 DEFERRED INCOME Provision is made for Long Service Leave, Sick Total unexpended grants 270,295.09 166,406.17 No other Australian Accounting standards or Leave and Annual Leave estimated to be Total ‘earned income’ in advance 23,239.87 47,330.00 other mandatory professional reporting payable to employees on the basis of statutory Grant in advance for 2008 85,000.00 8,000.00 requirements have been applied. and contractual requirements. Provision is TOTAL 378,534.96 221,736.17 The statements are prepared on an accruals made for redundancy for long standing basis. They are based on historic costs and do employees as the association is exclusively 7 PROVISION FOR STAFF ENTITLEMENTS not take into account changing money values, dependent on tiers of government, and that Current liabilities or except where specifically stated, current policies and funding arrangements are subject - Annual leave 50,430.46 32,843.87 valuations of non-current assets. to periodic change. Provision is made for the - Sick leave 41,574.38 35,844.22 The following specific accounting policies, payment of twelve (12) weeks maternity leave TOTAL 92,004.84 68,688.09 which are consistent with the previousperiod in accordance with pending staff agreements. unless otherwise stated, have been adopted in The amounts provided have been apportioned Non-Current Liabilities the preparation of these financial statements. between current and non-current, the current - Long Service Leave 17,093.28 12,021.86 provision been the portion that is entitled to - Maternity Leave 71,579.34 63,361.39 (b) Incorporated Association be paid within the next 12 months. Payroll on - Redundancy 71,798.09 61,998.25 The services were incorporated on 1st May, costs associated with leave entitlements are TOTAL 160,470.71 137,381.50 1986 as an incorporated Association, under recognised as liabilities. the Associations Incorporated Act, 1984. The members liability is limited to the extent of Contributions are made by the Association to any unpaid membership fees. an employees’ superannuation fund and are charged as expenses when incurred.

56 57 Statement by Members of the Board of ICE

8 CONTINGENT LIABILITIES Information and Cultural Exchange Inc. is being reviewed by the New South Wales Office of State Revenue for purpose of determining if Information and Cultural Exchange Inc. is liable for payment of New South Wales Payroll Tax. The Board of Management responded to the request for information in November 2008 and no Payroll Tax assessment has been received. It is view of the Board of Management that Information and Cultural Exchange Inc. is exempt for payroll Tax. The estimate liability reported for the year ended 30 June 2008 is approximately $6,000 and there is no liability for earlier years. Other than the matter noted above, the Board of Management is not aware of any other contingent liabilities or events The Board have determined that the Association is not a reporting entity. occurring after reporting date that impact on the financial report as at 31 December 2008. The Board have determined that this special purpose financial report should be prepared in accordance with the accounting policies outlined in Note 1 to the accounts.

In the opinion of the board the financial statements:

1Present fairly the Balance Sheet of Information and Cultural Exchange Inc. as at 31 December 2008 and the results of the Association for the year ended on that date.

2At the date of this statement, there are reasonable grounds to believe that Information and Cultural Exchange Inc. will be able to pay its debts as and when they fall due.

This statement is made in accordance with the resolution of the Board and is signed for and on behalf of the Board by:

Chairperson Treasurer Professor Ross Gibson Caroline Vu

Date: 31 March 2009

58 59 Independent Audit Report

ICE encourages the development of new partnerships. If you would like to be involved with one of our projects, or would like to make a financial contribution to our work, please contact us.

Postal Address Street Address PO Box 4033 8 Victoria Road Parramatta NSW 2124 Parramatta NSW 2150 Australia Australia

T +612 9897 5744 F +612 9897 5766 E [email protected] ice.org.au

ICE is a registered charity. All donations are tax-deductible.

25th Information and Cultural Exchange Annual Report ISSN: 1833-5306 © Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) 2009

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