The Ethnic Broadcaster Summer 2001 Edition National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council A BigDecisionYear 2001 Check Your MediaLawSkills Graveyard Groovers at2000FM Women’s OralHistory Project Re-Writing Her-story: NEMBCMigrant More MusictoYourEars Multicultural Radio Jason Li:TurningDowntheStaticon inside: Contents INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MARCH 8th 2001 3 2001: A Big Decision Year The NEMBC has recorded George Zangalis, NEMBC President greeting and information 4 Rewriting Her -Story messages for IWD in 20 Migrant Women in the Workforce languages on CD and a copy Oral History has been sent to your station. If you can’t get hold of the CD, 6 Graveyard Groovers: 2000FM please ring the NEMBC on 03 9486 9549 or email us at 7 More Youngs on Seats: [email protected] Youth Strategy

You can get more information 8 Music to Your Ears : about IWD activities in your state Australian Music Radio Airplay Project at: ACT www.act.gov.au/government/ 10 Curriculum Developments womenact NSW www.women.nsw.gov.au 11 Check Your Media Law Skills quiz WA www.wa.gov.au/wpdo 12 International Women’s Day NT www.owp.nt.gov.au VIC www.women.vic.gov.au 13 Emerging Communities TAS www.women.tas.gov.au QLD www.qldwoman.qld.gov.au 14 Innovate or Perish: SA www.sacentral.sa.gov.au/ Somali Radio Health Project at 2000FM agencies/ofw/ofw.htm 16 2000 NEMBC Conference: see page 12 for more IWD info. Our Emerging Futures

19 News

22 No Ordinary Day: www.nembc.org.au Melbourne Walk for Reconciliation visit the nembc website 24 Counting on Diversity and find... 2001 Census * australian news stories in 19 25 Understanding Each Other’s Point of View... languages 3 times a week Dispute Resolution Services * training news and curriculum 27 Fiery Radio In Chile * sector news and updates Radio Batuco * features 28 Multicultural Radio: Tuning Down the Static Jason Yat-Sen Li, 2000 NEMBC Conference Keynote Address

Cover Photo: Vincent Lam (left) and Raymond Lam (right) from 3ZZZ’s Chinese Program Photo taken by Jacqui Brown 2001 BIG DECISION YEAR

2001 will be a “big decision” Our ideas were shared with equal year for ethnic community conviction by the other sectors. A broadcasters, and indeed for series of discussions late all community broadcasters in last year, also involving the CBF, resulted in agreement to Australia. The “big boys” of vigorously pursue a common the commercial national and policy and campaign funding international media strategy. conglomerates will continue The policy focuses on: to try and dominate the · continuation of all existing nation’s media at the expense designated funding [ethnic & of the public and community multicultural, general, print sectors. handicapped and indigenous] at George Zangalis, NEMBC President levels that reflect the growth in the Popular reaction to this All of the community broadcasting sector, including returning ethnic development is gathering sector organisations are & multicultural programme momentum, with demands for a committed to ensuring the full funding to $50 per hour better financed and independent strength of our 220 stations all over · the successful Australian Ethnic ABC and a continued growth of Australia and the tens of Radio Training Project be re- ethnic and other community thousands of people involved in funded, and that training be broadcasting in metropolitan, them, maintain a constant flow of extended to other parts of the regional and rural Australia. information, discussion and community broadcasting sector Reaffirming our principles and debate on the merits of our claims. · continued funding of existing aims of involvement, relevance, technology and music projects Community broadcasting is the community ownership and · funding of targeted new projects genuine voice of Australia. It management should be at the especially for regional, rural and encourages media production all heart of our planning and action. remote Australia over the country as against the This is especially true in an The campaigning strategy trend to turn us all into mindless election year where the existing involves: consumers of media products triennial funding arrangement for · a public launching of our policy emanating from a few national and community broadcasting is up for · lobbying all political parties, international centres. review. ministers, local members, etc I look forward to working with you The NEMBC recognised very early · community radio stations all on this important undertaking. the importance of the entire pursuing these issues locally George Zangalis community broadcasting sector In the plethora of competing and NEMBC President (ethnic, indigenous, print often antagonistic demands for handicapped and general) working government funding, the role of together to develop common the media and in particular our funding policies. We need to have own community media in a common campaigning strategy promoting the needs and to ensure a united approach to get interests of our communities positive growth orientated cannot be emphasised enough. outcomes.

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 3 Women have always been a majority of the workforce in the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Industry. Migrant women have contributed significantly to the development of the Australian Textile, Clothing and Footwear industries. Photo of clothing factory floor at left courtesy of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Union photographic archive.

RE-writing HER-story

One of my greatest memories of childhood is sitting with my grandmother learning to roll vine leaves while she told me stories. This thirst for wanting to hear about the family history continued into adulthood when, by the time I learnt to do interviews, I started recording the stories of the old people in our family. “Even now, apart from the This interest in family history moved to an interest in migrant Snowy Mountain history when I worked at the Social History Unit of the ABC. Going through the archives there, I was not surprised to find HydroElectric Scheme and an absence of migrant stories about Australia. When I Chinese gold mines, it is proposed a series on migrants in the 1920s, my colleagues unlikely that children in were skeptical that I would find anyone to interview. I found Australian schools are four people for the series but was left with a feeling of learning anything about urgency of the need for more oral history projects in our communities. their community’s early If I hadn’t had this initial interest in family stories I would have contribution to the grown up in Australia believing that migrant communities only development of this really started significantly contributing to the building of this country.” country after the Second World War. Even now, apart from the Snowy Mountain HydroElectric Scheme and Chinese gold mines, it is unlikely that children in Australian schools are learning anything about their community’s early contribution to the development of this country.

Unlike indigenous communities, migrant communities have been slow to lobby for changes in Australia’s official history.

4 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 STORIES YOU’LL HEAR...

• Women in the health industry • Non recognition of skills – Latin American women underachieving in the workforce • Ford factory – contracted assisted migrants 1945-60 • Migrant women working in the legal system • Migrant women’s contribution and visibility in the media and arts industries • Small business – Italian cafes in Sydney’s ‘Little Italy’ • Public transport – migrant women bus drivers • Women of difference in dress and customs in the workforce • Industrial action – ACT Hospital laundry strike of 1987 • Women and trafficking in the sex industry

Copies of the oral history programs will be sent to each community broadcasting station in Australia. The program producers come from a variety of states and territories and from regional as well as metropolitan areas.

Official histories of Australia omitted from the public record. It continue to undervalue the should go without saying to country’s migrant population. Our readers of this magazine that if children are growing up believing English-speaking women are that this country was “developed” complaining about being left out of by the English settlers. Not only history, we can assume that does this reinforce English culture migrant and Aboriginal women as being dominant in their minds, have been almost completely it also reminds them that they are ignored. “outsiders” or at the very least “the Programs for the series are being children of visitors” to this country. produced by women broadcasters It is this absence of public records around the country and will tell the on migrant communities that stories of women in all kinds of makes oral history projects even jobs from the factory floors to the more important. Oral history is courtrooms of Australia. The series often the first step in research will cover migrant women’s leading to a search for documents struggle against a system that has and other materials that help to discriminated against them on the construct a more thorough history grounds of both race and gender, of this country. So it was with great as well as their role in industrial pleasure I accepted the opportunity action. The programs will provide to co-ordinate the NEMBC project our children with appropriate role looking at Migrant Women in the models and provide researchers of Workforce. The series of ten Australian history with a resource programs has been funded by the that up until now has been largely National Council for the Centenary unavailable. of Federation Fund, an appropriate The “Migrant Women in the source of funding when one Workforce” oral history project is a considers the gaps in Australian significant first step to rewriting history. “OUR-story” of Australia.

More importantly the mainstream Nicola Joseph women’s movements’ criticism of Executive Producer HIS-story (not HER-story) has Migrant Women in the Workforce always been that women are

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 5 Grooving in the Graveyard…

Speaking at the Innovate Or range of backgrounds both cultural interaction between callers and the Perish plenary session of last and geographical. Our audience hosts in the studio, whether it be a year’s NEMBC Conference, consists of a large percentage of caller participating in the Simone Kapsalides and Sylvia Pacific Islanders, Lebanese and discussion, saying on air shout out Asian youth in Sydney. Radios out to friends and family, or even just Haukua from 2000FM in west in the Mount Druitt area and requesting songs. We also do Sydney, discussed Graveyard as far as Campbelltown and interviews with local R&B and Hip Groovers, their exciting Mosman can be heard tuned into Hop groups from around Sydney multicultural and interactive, the beats of the Groovers. We and we constantly promote under youth music program. have bands of dedicated listeners eighteen events and dance parties Graveyard Groovers is the program call in to make shouts outs to throughout the show as we feel it’s that we present every Saturday friends and family all over Sydney important to support youth night from midnight to 6am in the and even in juvenile justice and initiatives in our local community. detention centres. Some of these morning on 2000FM. We’re very As with any programme Graveyard people are amongst our most proud of our programme because Groovers have their ups and dedicated listeners. we feel it’s certainly the only one of downs and a few hiccups here and its kind in Sydney. We play Hip Hop The show consists of six hours of there. We have a very laid back and R&B for six hours straight, with Hip Hop music. The Hip Hop is attitude towards our programme. lots of discussion and commentary screened beforehand to make The drawback to this is that between young people. Our style is sure any songs with a bit of sometimes it doesn’t actually give very laid back and because we swearing aren’t put on the radio, the broadcasters much don’t have a strict format, there’s a but sometimes we have to press responsibility, so that’s something casual feel that runs through the the dump button if one slips that we are working on. But the entire six hours. We’ve been on air through. We often pick a talkback good thing about having this laid for three years so we know we’re topic at the beginning of the show back attitude is that its something on a good thing. and run with it until the end of the that our listeners enjoy and we Graveyard Groovers target an show. We can have topics as develop a rapport with our audience who listen to R&B and varied as racism amongst young listeners. They like hearing about Hip Hop music genres, so what people or “what’s better rugby what other people their age say we’re looking at is anything from union or rugby league?”. and they like to hear that other people their age actually feel as ages twelve upwards but Listeners are encouraged to call they do. predominantly our audience is up the station and participate on air actually between fourteen and in discussion with the Hip Hop We actually involve our listeners by twenty. We also cover a diverse hosts all night long. There’s a lot of inviting them to call us and tell us 6 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 More Youngs on Seats...

what they’re doing, where they are, who they’re with and what’s happening out there. By doing this we involve the listeners, and A common concern for all The kits will look at the benefits listeners become the focus for our that young people bring to programme, whereas some ethnic community broadcasting, the common programmes actually just play broadcasters is to increase the obstacles that stop young people music and that’s it. This way we involvement of young people from broadcasting, the range of actually have two way in broadcasting. Many resources that are available to communication with our listeners, broadcasters feel concerned assist in youth broadcasting, and we make them feel that they’re that they are not able to a range of practical ideas that can actually the centre of our attract young people, because be tried by stations, existing programme as well. they realise that young people broadcasters and young people What we’re ultimately aiming to do are the future of ethnic wanting to be involved in with Graveyard Groovers is to cater community broadcasting and broadcasting. The kits will vary in for a large, growing audience of also an important way of content depending on the young people from a diverse range maintaining and developing particular group they are targeted of backgrounds who all love and at. culture and language. identify with R&B and Hip Hop Copies of the strategy will be music. We also provide a forum for Some groups are lucky enough to mailed to all NEMBC members young people in the community to have young trained broadcasters in and will also be available through let their thoughts and opinions be their community, but for many other the web. The Youth Committee is heard by their peers. groups finding successful and also developing a poster and a practical ways of getting young We feel this is a very important mentoring system that will focus people involved in broadcasting is opportunity that wouldn’t happen on attracting young people to the not easy. otherwise. We also give support to sector and providing support to local up and coming R&B and Hip The Youth Committee of the them once they start broadcasting. Hop artists. By bringing them into NEMBC has devised a strategy to Current NEMBC Youth Committee the studio we introduce them to our address these problems. The reps are: listeners, we play their music and strategy has been developed from Adrian Slater [2XX] give them a plug whenever we can the results of the NEMBC Youth Al Noveloso [3ZZZ] and give them as much exposure Survey [see The Ethnic Jo Fettke [4EB] to our large youth audience as Broadcaster Winter 2000] Kirsten Schuster [5EBI] possible. As part of the strategy, the NEMBC Adrian Kwintowski [6EBA] In addition we are aware that we Youth Committee is developing a Kata Skratulja [7THE] have a number of listeners who resource kit that will provide Meeta Ramkumar [8TOP] come from strict families and, assistance to three main groups: although they may not be allowed · existing broadcasters out on a Saturday night, they know · stations they always have the Graveyard · potential young Groovers to entertain them until six broadcasters in the morning.

Simone Kapsalides and Sylvia Huakau, Graveyard Groovers

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 7 MORE MUSIC to your ears Broadcasters find it hard to get the sort of music they want to play… Musicians find it hard to get their CDs to the right sort of broadcasters…

A new community broadcasting project AMRAP [Australian Music Radio Airplay Project] will increase the amount of Australian music played on community radio stations and help link musicians and community broadcasters. AMRAP is a joint project between the community broadcasting sector and the music industry and is funded by the Federal government. AMRAP is about music Broadcasters and stations will begin to see the tangible from your community: results of AMRAP this year including: · More free CDs for your station and your program World, Folk, Rock and Roll, · Grants to stations for producing music programs, festival Hip Hop, Traditional, and studio recording Classical, Solo musicians, · Training projects that support and promote Australian Groups, Orchestras, music Bands, Choirs... A program of grants have been announced by the Community Broadcasting Foundation, and applications closed in early February. Another round of grants will take place in the next twelve months. More information is available at the CBF web site (www.cbf.com.au).

Alongside the grants program, there will be a number of sector wide initiatives that will be developed by AMRAP.

Most visible of these will be the distribution of CDs to the sector. Many community broadcasters have difficulty getting access to new music for their station. Musicians and record labels on the other hand, are interested in working with community broadcasters, but often find the size and complexity of the sector too daunting to deal with. AMRAP will help bridge the gap between musicians and broadcasters. Community broadcasters and the music industry agree that the most effective way we can start doing that is to get more CDs by Australian musicians into the hands of community broadcasters.

8 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 Most importantly we will aim to This will allow for an equally do that in a “targeted” way so diversity range of music made by that as broadcasters you actually Australians to receive airplay and get music that will suit your develop an audience. Most program. This means collecting importantly, the object is to information about the sorts of promote all the variety of music music broadcasters are made by Australians. interested in. AMRAP is initially a three year For example we will be project. Given the size and diversity distributing world music to of the community broadcasting stations with ethnic programs, sector and the music industry, it and Australian Latin music to will take all of the three years to stations with Spanish language fully implement the project. As well and world music programs. On as the distribution of CDs and the other hand we won’t be grants there will be a website distributing heavy metal CDs to providing information about a classical music station. available music, musicians and Having inappropriate CDs sitting the music industry. There will also around unplayed is frustrating be satellite distribution to stations for both broadcasters and of Australian music programmes musicians. of all genres, festivals and concerts. We’ll keep you up to date We are currently contacting with regular reports and articles. stations and broadcasters about their music needs and will start As a project that aims to promote a distributing music to stations in broad range of Australian music the first part of 2001. within a community broadcasting context, AMRAP is a unique and The distribution of existing CDs exciting opportunity. By developing and the various grant a stronger relationship with opportunities should together musicians and record labels, see a noticeable increase in the community broadcasters can amount of music by Australian consolidate their position as musicians that is available for The Millienium Choir Concert, important participants in the use in your programs. organised by Victorian community development of Australian musical music group, The Boite, in July 2000, It’s important to note here that all featured an exciting range of culture. Australian and international of the activities of AMRAP will be If you’d like to learn more about musicians and performers: driven by the objective of (opp. left) the 300 voices of the what AMRAP is doing please “promoting Australian music Choir contact me on 02 9310 2999 or (opp. right) Brazilian dancer Claudia through community broadcasting”. email [email protected] de Oliviera As such, the project has the dual (above) Gambian singer and djemba player Ebrima King Marong stakeholder groups of community Paul Mason (top) The Millennium choir and the broadcasters and the music AMRAP Coordinator Will Shake Spear dancers Photos by Maurizio Salvati industry. The activities of the project will deliver benefits to both groups.

Obviously the decision to deliver a music initiative through the community broadcasting sector was deliberate. Possibly the most important reason for this decision is the opportunity offered by the fundamental diversity of the community broadcasting sector.

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 9 Curriculum Developments…

ACT Chief Minister Gary Humphries (4th from left) with 2XX President Victor Marillanca (2nd from left)and successful AERTP graduates at 2XX in Canberra.

In 2001, the Australian Ethnic Website Design Radio Training Project Design a web page for your [AERTP] is developing more program, learn how to use HTML. Music on the Internet curriculum to meet the Find and use real audio and MP3 training needs of ethnic files on your program. broadcasters. In addition to Netcasting Short Courses, the following Broadcast your program or modules are currently being community event on the World developed and will be Wide Web.

available later this year: AUDIO RESOURCES: NEW MODULES: In January, compact discs with Getting Sponsors audio resources for all the AERTP Write sponsorship proposals and training modules were distributed identify appropriate sponsors for to every radio station with ethnic your programs. broadcasting. These resources Committees, Processes and have been developed specifically Policies for ethnic broadcasters doing Effectively convene a programming AERTP training group and contribute as a member TRAINING PILOT: of a management structure within AERTP has adapted the media law a community radio station. module for online delivery. We are Building Your Audience interested in hearing from Formulate and implement a broadcasters who would like to promotional strategy for your radio participate in a pilot delivery of the program to increase your new online module. You will need audience. Internet access and basic Internet Oral History skills. Please contact me via e- Research, plan and produce an mail ([email protected]) if you Oral History program. would like to be involved in the pilot. Check Your Media Law Skills…

1. Who can be sued during a D.a) and c) are correct defamation action about your program? 4. Volunteer broadcasters at A. You community radio are exempt from B. The guest who made a copyright laws comment on your program A. True C. The station B. False D. All of the above 5. For a broadcast to be “obscene” YOUR FEEDABCK 2. Which of these statements at least two people must make a If you’ve participated in AERTP could lead to you being charged by written complaint. training, you will be aware of the the police with Contempt Of Court? A. True benefits of our free radio A. It’s about time Mr Smith was B. False presentation and production

caught by the police. He has been courses. Participants gain B 5.

stealing money from our broadcasting skills which help B 4.

organisation for years. I will be in them make more interesting and B 3.

court to see what sort of lies he quality programs and gain D 2.

tells communication and D 1.

B. If Mr Smith gets sent to jail at the organisational skills useful in Answers end of this trial it is because the other part of their lives. I’d Judge and jury are racists. appreciate any testimonials from AERTP participants that might be C. I am not surprised Mr Smith is in Is it time you brushed up your useful to us in lobbying for court again. He got sent to jail media law skills? ongoing funding in this election three years ago for exactly the year. same crime D. All of the above To find out more about what is covered in the curriculum check 3. “At the small rally, attended by out the training pages on our around 50 people, there were website: www.nembc.org.au/ banners saying “Asians go home” training If you wish to access the and “Only White people are curriculum and notes via the welcome in Australia”. One man internet, contact the AERTP was later arrested by police for coordinator for the password. breaking a window.” Mark which of Please get in touch with me for the following statements are more information about training correct. and how you can utilise the A. This is racial vilification because AERTP it repeats racist comments B. This is not racial vilification Michelle Vlatkovic because it is a fair report of a AERTP Coordinator media event telephone: 03 94158566 C. This is racial vilification e-mail: [email protected] because it is critical of the Or PO Box 1144 Collingwood VIC protesters 3066 International Women’s Day at 3CR, 2000 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY March 8 is International Women’s Day (IWD). It feminist who spent her lifetime committed to the has been celebrated in Australia for the past advancement of women, organised the creation of IWD at a conference in Copenhagen in 1910. More 72 years. Its origins began around the same than 100 delegates from 17 nations came and time as the Labour Day holiday although IWD resolved unanimously to adopt IWD. is not a public holiday in Australia. IWD is an occasion for women and men to join together The first IWD was held on 19 March 1911. A million women and men participated in Denmark, Germany, and call for a better world for women of all Austria and Switzerland. This date was chosen by ages and celebrate their contributions to German women to commemorate the day in 1848 society. when the Prussian king promised women the vote.

In Australia, the first IWD was held as a rally at the March 8th is the anniversary of an IWD demonstration Sydney Domain on 25 March 1928. Organised by the for “bread and peace” by Russian women in St Militant Women’s Movement, it called for equal pay for Petersburg in 1917. The demonstration by textile equal work, an eight hour day for ‘shop girls’, no workers turned into riots, four days later the Tsar was piece work, a basic wage for the unemployed and forced to abdicate and the provisional government paid annual holidays. granted women the right to vote. That historic Sunday The first IWD marches in Sydney and Melbourne took fell on 23 February on the Julian calendar used in place in 1931. In 1944, Prime Minister Curtin greeted Russia, but on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar in IWD activities in Melbourne, giving recognition to use elsewhere. women’s contribution to the war effort. Since WWI, The General Assembly of the United Nations passed IWD has also been used to call for peace and a resolution in 1977 inviting each country to proclaim, disarmament. By 1975, the International Year for in accordance with its historical and national Women, IWD had become a part of the mainstream. traditions, any day of the year as United Nations Day IWD came about in the early 1900s, an era when for Women’s Rights and International Peace. women organising politically were viewed as Many stations organise special events to mark particularly controversial. IWD is now a calendar International Women’s Day. At 3CR these events will fixture, recognised by community organisations, include 24 hours of women broadcasting, special governments and the United Nations. Since its concerts and performances, historical features and beginning, IWD has maintained its focus on the interviews, a bike ride and a station party. original issues of pay, work conditions and political rights for women. Sevim Chapple, NEMBC Women’s Committee & 3CR

The history of IWD is a history of taking action. This article has been adapted from information about German Socialist Clara Zetkin, an extraordinary IWD available from the Office of the Status of Women at www.osw.dpmc.gov.au 12 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 EMERGING COMMUNITIES NEW NEEDS

The theme of the 2000 It was also noted that there were · that the NEMBC play a more active Conference was Our many benefits for emerging role in the promotion of multicultural radio stations Emerging Futures. Marguerite communities in becoming involved in community broadcasting, · that funding be sought from the Rooke from the Alice Springs particularly with the ability to government for emerging Migrant Resource Centre present information on communities to broadcast presents her view from a accommodation, settlement, · that the NEMBC develop strategies conference workshop that health and education in a to improve the allocation of airtime examined the needs of some community language. to include emerging communities of the newest members of the Just a few of the difficulties faced ethnic broadcasting by emerging communities in community. becoming broadcasters include: During the last 14 years there has · restricted access to broadcasting been a growing number of new technology ethnic groups settling in Australia · time and financial constraints on humanitarian grounds. Many of · competition for airtime these newly emerging · access to training Language 93 on the communities have come from The workshop discussed the role way… Horn of Africa countries like that the NEMBC could play in Amharic, one the languages Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, as well making information about new and spoken in Ethiopia, will soon as from Middle Eastern countries emerging communities available rd like Syria and Iraq. for existing stations. This would become the 93 language being broadcast on community Up till now, the NEMBC has been make it easier for stations to focussed on many of the older involve emerging communities in radio stations around Australia ethnic communities who are more their programming. 6EBA in Perth will be hosting a established as community groups The workshop made a series of Ethiopian-Somali program that and who can effectively run their recommendations that were will service the two own programs and have adopted by the NEMBC Annual communities in Perth. knowledge on how to access General Meeting: Program coordinator Martha funding and grants. · that the NEMBC research the Teshome said the community At the Emerging Communities broadcasting needs of emerging was excited about having its workshop, most of the discussion communities was on how to get new and · that the NEMBC recommend that own program and they were emerging communities involved in information be provided to new on the look out for Amharic ethnic broadcasting. Some migrants regarding the services programming resources. stations reported difficulties with provided by ethnic community establishing ongoing continuous broadcasting links with these new groups.

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 13 “The overall production of the Somali Radio Health Segments has been a great challenge for those involved in the project. We learnt that there were a number of areas, which we need to carefully consider. One of these was never to assume that experience working with one particular community can be replicated in another community.” Ramy Var, NSW Refugess Health Service INNOVATE

The Innovate or Perish little impact on Somali refugees. to assume that experience working plenary showcased Input on innovative ideas was with one particular community broadcasters and broadcast sought from Somali workers and could be replicated in another community. Particularly working projects that have successfully the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service and a with a small and emerging refugee pursued new methods and partnership was formed to pilot community like the Somalis where new ideas to reach out to ethnic radio as a medium to the supporting infrastructure is their audience. communicate health messages to limited and the expertise and talent Ramy Var, from the NSW the Somali community. may be scarce. Refugee Health Service and A series of eight, 10 minute radio The successful production of these Awale Ahmed from the segments were developed, in radio health segments could only Somali Radio Program at consultation with the Somali be achieved through the 2000FM shared their community, to cover issues around commitment, dedication and experiences of a refugee accessing health services in NSW. teamwork of the Somali people health education project at They were based on a set of and it has been a pleasure for me the plenary (edited extracts) prepared questions, interviews to work with them. I have learnt a and dialogue that were deemed great deal about the needs and the “Innovate or Perish” certainly culturally appropriate. The radio complexity of the Somali describes the kind of work we segments have been produced community, their culture, values commenced twelve months ago and broadcast weekly through and politics. with the Somali refugee “Somali Voice in Sydney” on 2000 community. The Somali An evaluation of the project is FM. community is a small, emerging currently taking place. However, refugee community that has a lot of Segment titles included; What to this innovative idea provides the needs but limited resources to do when you feel sick, Services Somali community with access to support and to address them. that assist refugees in dealing with information that is essential to Providing information to the Somali difficulties, Community Health easing their resettlement in a new community presents particular Centres, Children’s Health country. Without trialing new challenges. Services and Women’s Health strategies we would never learn Services new, flexible and culturally The Somali community is widely sensitive ways to offer our service The overall production of the dispersed, their literacy levels are to communities in need. very low and they are made up of Somali Radio Health Segments divergent groups. Thus, the has been a great challenge. We Ramy Var strategies that has been used with learnt that there were a number of NSW Refugee Health Service other refugee communities have areas that we needed to carefully had limited reach and probably consider. One of these was never

14 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 “After the first and second segments went on air, the program successfully attracted more and more listeners every week, as people called our telephone line and the contents of the health segments were discussed in many community gatherings or PERISH and locations.” Awale Ahmed, Somali Voice, 2000FM The Somali Voice in Sydney program was established in 1996 and operates on a volunteer basis. Despite a lot of difficulties, a small ‘Somali Voice’ have team of volunteers have since taken up further succeeded in keeping the program innovations through the on air. Each week numerous Somali voices appear with news development of the and other information to share with “Somali Voice’ website Somali speaking people in NSW. It where people can access has been tough, particularly news and listen to past considering that our community is programs over the very new and each one of us is still Internet. You can visit engaged in our own settlement their site at: http:// problems. But in Somali, there is a www.angelfire.com/band/ saying “God deserts not the SydneySomaliRadio/ courageous man” and that is what happened.

Approximately 12 months ago, our improve the quality of the program was approached to quickly acquired by the four health segments. discuss the possibility of broadcasters involved, and we have all broadcasting health information on participated in a unique experience. On behalf of the other broadcasters and volunteers, I Somali Radio. It was exciting As segments went on air, the programs would like to say that what has news for us because we knew that attracted more and more listeners every driven us through the project our community would benefit a lot week. People called our telephone line was the satisfaction we felt at from this health program. and the contents of the health segments producing the program The production and the were discussed in many community segments, the positive feed presentation of these segments gatherings and locations. The back from our listeners, and were totally different to our regular programs touched on many issues that the quality of our program programs. Because we were are important for the newly arrived. What compared with similar involved with other people outside made the segments most interesting programs around the globe the programming team, we had to and captured the mind of the audience accessible on the Internet. have guidelines, set out was how they were presented. Plays schedules, develop teamwork relevant to the Somali culture, Awale Ahmed skills and work closer than ever. testimonial, female voice, cultural music Somali Voice, 2000FM All these skills needed to be and introduction were all used to

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 15 CONFERENCE 2000

Diverse, Dynamic, Young and successful, dynamic, Strong were some of the multiculturalism that could be themes that came out of the reflected in ethnic broadcasting. He argued that young people, the 2000 Ethnic Broadcasters second generation and emerging Conference in Sydney. These communities could only be characteristics were reflected included in Australian society and in the participation at the ethnic broadcasting, if we Conference which saw record understood multiculturalism as an attendance and the greatest evolving, rather than a static, reality.

involvement yet from young The opening session of the people, emerging Conference examined the racism communities, women and and stereotyping in the media broadcasters from Asian and experienced by ethnic African backgrounds. communities. Speakers focussed on examples of stereotyping The Conference key note speaker, experienced by young people from Jason Yat-sen Li, set the tone for the Arabic and Vietnamese the Conference by examining the communities. The session went ingredients for the sort of on to explore ways for ethnic

16 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 our emerging futures

She noted the widespread concern in all ethnic communities about how Australia is treating its refugees. This raises important questions about the role of ethnic community broadcasting in human rights issues around immigration and refugees. E Ramy Var [NSW Health Department] and Awale Ahmed [2000FM Somali programme] talked about a major health project that is a partnership between NSW Multicultural Health unit Conference 2000 delegates at the conference reception, held at the and the Somali Community. The project NSW Premiers Department is a low cost, effective means of broadcasters to avoid and talkback on issues ranging from providing primary health information challenge these stereotypes. racism to whether rugby union is and improving the health of the Somali Providing a voice for the diverse better than rugby league. As well community. they have “shout outs” letting parts of our community and The Annual General Meeting saw a young people communicate and debating issues frankly and lively and challenging debate take place express themselves on air. honestly were two important steps around the issues of language and identified in building a more Gavin Unsworth, [the tech at full culture in ethnic broadcasting. What inclusive and multicultural time ethnic broadcaster 4EB in place do bi-lingual and multicultural Australia. Brisbane] talked about broadcasting have along side individual The evolving nature of developments in digital and language broadcasting? Can we have multiculturalism was reflected internet technologies. He culture without language? Should we throughout the Conference. discussed what factors need to be using ethnic broadcasting to Simone Kapsalides and Sylvia be taken into consideration when effectively encourage the use and Haukua presenters of 2000FM’s planning how and when to utilise teaching of language to our children. Graveyard Groovers talked about these technologies. We hope to pick up these issues as a major theme of the 2001 Conference the programme’s appeal to 14-20 Linda Bartolomei [Australian year olds from Middle Eastern, National Committee on Refugee The Conference also endorsed a Pacific and Asian backgrounds. Women] spoke about the needs position on funding for the community The programme plays a variety of of refugees and their current broadcasting sector by government. R&B and rap music, and has treatment by government policy. The policy adopted called on all political

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 17 sponsored our Conference for the 7th consecutive year. The support of Telstra is essential if we are to provide travel subsidies to broadcasters from around Australia to participate in the Conference. Thanks to the Australian Bureau Statistics, the NEMBC Womens’ Committee Ethnic Affairs Commission of NSW, of women, reflecting the myriad and to all the Sydney broadcasters areas that women from NESB who helped make the Conference backgrounds come from, to speak Linda Bartolomei, Australian a big success. National Committee on Refugee at both the women’s workshop and Women Our thanks also to all our general conference sessions and parties to commit to continue all speakers, who informed, that where appropriate, we invite a current funding with an appropriate challenged, stimulated and representative from the Office of increase in recognition of the entertained us, and also to the the Status of Women to inform the growth of the sector. Ethnic, fabulous entertainment provided by conference about government indigenous, print handicapped and the Cook Island Performing Group plans in relation to NESB women. general funding, as well as and Errol Renaud and his Life Membership existing project funding, should all Carribean Soul. · that Charles See Kee, Stepan be maintained and increased. The Kerkyasharian, Victor Borg, Denise Conference called on the Banks & Micky Hayward be government to re-fund the proposed for life membership of Australian Ethnic Radio Training the NEMBC in light of their Project [AERTP] and commit new contribution to ethnic community funds to areas like the broadcasting. development of the National Indigenous Media Network, training and support for regional, rural, and remote stations. NEMBC Youth Committee with the Steven Smith, Shadow Minister AERTP has been a huge success for Communications and continues to be at the forefront MOTIONS of technological and broadcasting Some of the motions that emerged change. A presentation to the from the Conference included: Conference outlined the Youth development of internet delivered · that the NEMBC Secretariat and broadcast law accredited training. the Youth Committee review the This training will be conducted current CBF multicultural youth early in 2001. AERTP also has funding guidelines with a view to been a very significant tool in recommending to the CBF that the increasing the participation of funding guidelines be expanded to young people in ethnic community include “ethno specific” youth broadcasting through the programming and that the amount development of specialised of time allocated for funding be weekend training courses for increased from one hour per week young people. to a suitable time allocation that encourages the development of The Conference couldn’t have youth programming taken place without the support and work of many people and Women organisations. Big thanks to our · that the NEMBC invite a diversity friends at Telstra, who have

18 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 FROM 5UV to 2RRR... 2RRR in Sydney has a new Station Manager. Jane Costessi was previously ELECTION involved with multicultural arts and world music programming and training at 5UV RESULTS JUST in Adelaide. Jane says she is particularly looking IN... forward to working with the range of community language broadcasters at A comprehensive database 2RRR. on elections, parties and parliaments worldwide can be 2RRR broadcasts in a range of found on the web at languages including Flemish French, Hungarian, Hindi, Macedonian, www.agora.stm.it/elections/. Slovakian, Armenian, Urdu, German, It has regular updates on Japanese, Sinhalese and Polish. election results and searchable links to a huge To find out more about 2RRR visit their website at www.2rrr.org.au number of political parties and organisations all over the world. The comprehensive nature of the LIFE MEMBERS site can be seen in recent The first life members of the been co-ordinator of the Geelong election updates which include NEMBC were selected at this ethnic broadcasters group and an election results for Canada, Haiti, year’s AGM. They were recognised active fundraiser for many years Romania: Czech Republic, Egypt for ‘making a significant including raising funds each year and Bosnia-Herzegovina. contribution to Australian ethnic to enable a group of Geelong community broadcasting’. The life broadcasters to come to the Recent party links include Albania: members are NEMBC conference. Partia Demokratike e Shqiperise; Bulgaria: Obedineni Demokraticin Charles SeeKee – Charles has Victor Borg – A former long term Sili; Netherlands: Nieuwe been a Northern Territory based President of the Ethnic Middenpartij; Poland: Pracownicza broadcaster, long time President of Communities Council of Victoria Demokracja; Sierra Leone: the NT Multicultural Broadcasters and FECCA executive member, National Unity Party; South Africa: Organisation, and NEMBC Victor has championed the Christian Democratic Party; executive member. Charles has interests of ethnic community Afghanistan: Revolutionary been at the heart of the social, broadcasting to government at a Association of the Women of political and community life of NT. national and state level. He played Afghanistan; Argentina: Partido Charles has also been very an important part in the Cooperativista Argentino. significant in raising the profile of establishment of 3ZZ, 3EA and ethnic community broadcasting in 3ZZZ and today is still a regular the NT and further afield. broadcaster at 3ZZZ.

Denise Banks – Denise was the Stepan Kerkyasharian – Stepan is first non-English language a former head of SBS who broadcaster on air in Tasmania. championed the development of She paved the way for others to two sectors for ethnic follow. She encouraged many broadcasting. As Chair of the people to make the bold step into Ethnic Affairs Commission of NSW ethnic broadcasting in Tasmania. he has been able to assist a number of stations with ethnic Ludmila Constantinova [Mickey] broadcasting and has been very Hayward – Mickey is a Russian supportive of NEMBC initiatives. language broadcaster from Geelong Radio (3YYR). She has

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 19 CLASS OF‘81 Photo: Filipino broadcasters at NEMBC Conference 2000 front left to right Bootz Martinez (Nambucca Heads, NSW) - Remy Chiswell (Orange, NSW) standing left to right Eden REUNION Rolfs (Lismore, NSW) - Celia Smith (Geelong, Vic.)

Some of the most exciting I used to be a high school teacher friends who have become opportunities at a national in Manila in the Philippines. I important to me, and especially the reunion with Celia. conference are for migrated to Australia in May 1981 and subsequently lost all contact broadcasters from different I would like to extend my warmest with my former students. I started parts of the country to meet congratulations to Mickey who was the Filipino programme at 2NCR awarded lifetime membership of other broadcasters. Eden Rolfs on the NSW north coast in the NEMBC. I would also like to from Lismore in NSW December 1981 and I was a thank all the staff members for describes a very unexpected station representative at the recent their work and effort to make the NEMBC Conference 2000. reunion: conference the success it has This is where Celia Smith, been. recognised me after 20 years! She I look forward to the next was one of my students and had conference! graduated from the High School I taught at in 1980. I actually did not Eden Rolfs recognise her, as she was only 16 years old in 1980. Now 20 years later she is also a Filipino language broadcaster, at Geelong radio in Victoria.

Celia was at the Conference with Mickey Hayward, the Geelong Radio ethnic broadcasting coordinator and a number of other Geelong broadcasters.

I enjoyed all aspects of the conference and learned a lot about ethnic broadcasting, and its importance to ethnic communities. I enjoyed meeting and making new 20 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 YOUTHWAVE HITS CANBERRA New NIMAA Chairperson Todd Condie CMS,Canberra’s full time ethnic community station, has recently The National Indigenous Media Development Association completed new studio work and Association of Australia has (NAISDA). He formally served on young broadcasters at the station elected a new Chairperson. Todd the NIMAA board as Deputy Chair have marked the occasion by Condie, a Murri whose family of the Print, Journalism and starting Youth Wave programming. comes from the North Queensland Multimedia Sector for 2 years. The program has a core group of Yidinji people, is Editor of the Koori young people with skills in Todd replaces Jim Remedio who Mail, the national Aboriginal and multimedia and internet technology worked closely with the NEMBC Torres Strait Islander newspaper. and they bring in new broadcasters over a number of years and Todd has worked at the paper from schools around Canberra helped build a close relationship since 1994 and became Editor on each week. CMS believes that part between the indigenous and 1 January 1998. of the success of the project has ethnic broadcasting sectors. The been to give young broadcasters He is a graduate of Griffith NEMBC welcomes Todd to his access to prime time after school University, Brisbane and has new position and thanks Jim for hours between 4-5pm six days a served on the board of the National all his work. week. CMS also has a number of Aboriginal Islander Skills other youth programmes between 6-7pm and 10pm-midnight. TONY MANICAROS AWARD

Congratulations to 2RSR broadcasting stations with ethnic (Radio Skid Row) the winner broadcasters. of the 2000 Tony Manicaros The Tony Manicaros Award was Award. The project to be established in memory of Tony and undertaken by Skid Row will to recognise the work he undertook explore some of the issues for ethnic community broadcasting around community and on a local, state and national cultural development for basis. Tony was a broadcaster, Director of 4EB (Brisbane), founder emerging communities in a of the NEMBC, Director of the CBF half hour documentary radio and Chair of the National Ethnic program. Radio Training Taskforce. Tony’s The focus of the documentary will long time friend and colleague be the African community in George Sudull presented the Sydney. The award carries prize award, at the conference dinner to money of $1500. The program 2RSR Manager, Paul Thusi. when completed will be circulated for broadcast to all community

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 21 NO ORDINARY DAY...

Photo of Melbourne Walk for Reconciliation from ATSIC Victoria’s Reconciliation 2001 Calendar. For copies contact ATSIC on 03 9285 7225 9am Sunday 3rd of December moving in a constant stream down at a railway station east of St Kilda Rd and into the Domain where a great gathering took place. Melbourne and dozens of people trying to get on an Sadly not present at the walk was already jammed train are Charles Perkins. He was among relieved by an announcement the first Indigenous university graduates and was one of the over the loud speaker to wait earlier fighters for Indigenous for the next train, which turns rights. He had lived to see the out to be only slightly less full. march over Sydney Harbour which This scenario is repeated at was the first in the wave of public every stop as more and more demonstrations of support for people jam into carriages reconciliation.

already full. Moving on, I saw people young and We now know that this was no old, and a huge range of ordinary day. This was the day for organisations and institutions Melbourne’s Walk for marching behind their banner, Reconciliation. The goodwill and proud to be identified with this interaction of people jammed in people’s movement. There were like sardines was not like any other unions, universities, political peak hour and it set the tone for the groups, locality groups from day. Arriving at Flinders Street around Victoria, schools, churches station, we joined thousands of and clubs of many kinds. others streaming out of trains and Spotting Lowitja (Lois) trams to join the march of humanity O’Donoghue quietly trying to

22 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 mingle in the crowd, I grabbed a awareness and support mic and seized the opportunity to for Indigenous issues. talk to former Chairperson of He cited the example of ATSIC, (Aboriginal and Torres Aboriginal deaths in Straits Islander Commission) who custody, land rights and Sylvia Scott (pictured above) welcoming the stolen generation with many other leaders had come delegates to the NEMBC Conference on to Melbourne to be part of Victoria’s as matters which must behalf of the Gadigal and Eora people, statement to the country. She was be resolved. He also traditional owners of the Sydney area pleased that these demonstrations talked about the need indicated the strong public support for his communities to “It would be fantastic if you could discuss for the issues at the forefront of take control of their own indigenous issues with your communities Aboriginal Australia’s fight for affairs and to shape on your programmes.... It will be a great rights and justice. She recognised their own destiny. day when we all have equality and that the march does not solve I also spoke to one of equity in this land we belong to and we problems, but that it shows greater the representatives of can walk though this beautiful country understanding in the wider Wurrundjerri people together as Australians. On behalf of the community and support for who are the traditional Eora and Gadigal people…welcome to Aboriginal self determination. owners of the this land.” Walking around the Domain Melbourne and bay gardens I was enthralled by the areas. She welcomed vivid colours of the hands of red, the marchers to their green, yellow, black and white, lands and talked about stretching far across the gardens. how proud her Lost and The scale was something that was community was to be larger than I had expected. This recognised on this day. was of course the “Sea of Hands” I thought how little we actually project. This idea had come to life know about the people we have Found... through people who wanted to displaced and whose lands we show their support for now enjoy. One thing I am 2001 marked the launch of the reconciliation in a very visible way. determined to do this year is to Roadmap for Reconciliation. learn more and continue practical More than 130,000 hands, each The Roadmap encourages with the name of the person or support, and what better way than communities to celebrate families who had signed their through our program? significant dates and events support for native title and Vasso Zanglais coexistence, are a unique visual and to take joint action to 3ZZZ way of stating their support. The achieve Reconciliation goals. hands have travelled to every state Staged as part of this ongoing in the country, with more hands work, Lost and Found will be an art Melbourne’s Walk For added at every location. Each time, exhibition that will enable artists Reconciliation was held on the hands are packed and laid out from diverse cultural backgrounds Sunday 3rd December 2000. With by volunteers and are placed in the and indigenous artists to present estimates of up 400 000 people ground in a pattern representing individual and collaborative works. walking, it was the largest march local traditions. ever held in Melbourne. The exhibition will be on display at Politicians from both sides of the the Victorian Immigration Touring political fence were at the Walk, but Gallery, the Koorie Heritage Trust we talked to Indigenous leaders. Gallery and at Adult Migrant Geoff Clarke, the current English Service centres around chairperson of ATSIC, commented Melbourne from May 2001 on how far the Australian community had come in its

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 23 COUNTING ON DIVERSITY

The Australian Bureau of within those 99 years. Those who EMERGING Statistics was one of the participate will be contributing valuable data for future historians sponsors of the 2000 NEMBC COMMUNITIES IN and researchers. Conference. Speaking at the VICTORIA Conference dinner, Monica The Census will be employing Victoria’s population Badowski from the ABS noted census collectors with language skills. A Census telephone continues to become more the important role that ethnic interpreter service is also available diverse with a number of community broadcasters play and arrangements can also be new communities in informing their listeners made for an interpreter to visit your emerging. Emerging about the Census held later home, if necessary. communities are defined this year. as those birthplaces of the A telephone Census Inquiry Victorian population with The Census, which takes place Service will be available soon to 100 people or more whose every five years, will be held on answer public inquiries about the size increased at least 25 Tuesday 7th August 2001. It is the census and how to complete the per cent between 1991 and most important statistical census form. 1996. collection undertaken by the The ABS has also produced an Australian Bureau of Statistics. The top 25 emerging interactive CD ROM, A Tale of Two Information collected by the communities in Victoria Worlds, packed with fun and Census is used in a wide range of fron the 1996 Census are: games, which was developed areas from planning new schools Somalia specially for schoolchildren to and hospitals to allocating the Iraq show them how the Census number of seats in each State and Uzbekistan allows them to play a part in Territory in the House of Nepal determining the future of Australia. Representatives. Eritrea The CD ROM caters for a range of You are guaranteed absolute Moldova learning styles and levels of privacy and confidentiality under Bosnia-Herzegovina difficulty and is suitable for the Census and Statistics Act Afghanistan students from Grade 3 to Year 10. 1905. All ABS officers are legally Sudan A Tale of Two Worlds also contains bound to secrecy. Anyone who Kuwait lesson plans and work sheets breaks this trust may be fined up to Ethiopia applying to society, environment, $5,000 or imprisoned for up to two Bangladesh geography, history, civics and years - or both. Name-identification Japan citizenship, drama and art, as well from the census will be destroyed. Solomon Islands as English and mathematics. Taiwan (Province of China) However, for the 2001 Census, Evaluation copies of A Tale of Two Korea (Republic of) which coincides with the Centenary Worlds are available free to the Saudi Arabia of Federation, you will have the media from ABS Media and Public Indonesia opportunity, but only with your Affairs, (02) 6252 7633 Belarus explicit consent, to place your Thailand name-identified census The ABS website has more Samoa, Western information in a time capsule that information about the Census. You Brunei will be locked away on microfilm in can find it at www.abs.gov.au Russian Federation the National Archives for 99 years. Name-identified information in the Hong Kong time capsule will not be available Nigeria to any person for any purpose, Sourced from the including to courts or tribunals, Multicultural Affairs Unit of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Counting on Diversity publication UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER’S POINT OF VIEW

courts can see this material except It is inevitable that community Mediation is also different from with the consent of both parties. broadcasters have to deal counselling or therapy. Mediation is with some level of conflict not designed to deal with individual But best of all is that 86% of when they make their problems or difficulties. Instead, it matters mediated result in an programs. These disputes can deals with issues and agreement between the parties. be within stations or can disagreement between people. NSW Community Justice Centres, reflect disputes that are going What disputes are suitable for phone (toll free) on 1800 671 964 on in the community. Usually mediation? web page at http://www.agd.nsw.gov.au/cjc disputes can be settled easily A vast range of disputes are with commonsense and suitable for mediation including There are also mediation services courtesy. But sometimes disagreements over fences, available in other states: conflicts can be more serious. drainage and dogs; racism and The NSW Community Justice abuse; family disputes and Victoria Dispute Settlement Centre (03) 9603 8370 Centres ran a conflict disagreements at work (between colleagues or between employers SA Legal Services Commission resolution workshop at and employees). Disputes 1300 366 424 NEMBC Conference 2000. between members of voluntary or Qld Dispute Resolution Centre NSW Community Justice Centres community organisations can also (07) 3239 6007 were established by the be mediated. ACT Canberra Mediation Services Government in 1980 to provide for (02) 6282 4300 Mediation is especially desirable resolution of minor disputes, Tas Positive Solutions where there is an ongoing shown by experience to be 1800 664 200 relationship between the parties unresponsive to conventional WA Citizens Advice Bureau since it provides a way of people dispute resolution procedures. (08) 9221 5771 solving the problem and still One of the best ways of resolving remaining on good terms. NT Attorney Generals Dept these sorts of conflicts is though (08) 8999-6047 mediation. NSW Community Justice Centres use a free co-mediation approach Mediation is where a neutral, third in which two trained mediators party sits down with people who conduct each session. They are are having an argument or specifically selected for each disagreement and helps them dispute from a panel of people understand each other’s point of from many different ages, view and to reach an agreement backgrounds, social, cultural and which they can all accept. ethnic groups. It is not the same as a court In most disputes only a single decision because in mediation the session is required. In very people who are in dispute come complex interpersonal disputes, up with their own solution. The such as those involving family mediators do not give advice or relationships, further sessions make recommendations, but help may be required. Mediation is a the parties to find their own confidential process and not even solution to the conflict.

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 25 26 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 FIERY

Caroline Villegas, guest at the 1998 NEMBC Conference, broadcasting at Radio Batuco in Chile. The egg cartons on the RADIO walls help to improve the acoustics of the studio IN CHILE

One of the highlights of the Batuco it has been possible to We have been lucky enough to 1998 NEMBC Conference was develop a medium of secure interviews with both the the presence of a number of communication representative of current and past Presidents of its people, who in many ways were Chile, and we regularly have local international guests from forgotten by government and national authorities as guests community stations around authorities. on our shows. But unfortunately the world including Caroline our guests often have “deaf ears” As a result of hard work by a group Villegas from Radio Batuco in to the essential needs of our of committed volunteers, on 16 Oct Chile. Batuco means “flame” community, such as the right to 1998, Radio Batuco was born. It in Spanish and Daniel have an effective communication has a high level of community system, like our station, to inform, Alejandro Tapia recently sent involvement and the station offers educate and entertain the people the NEMBC a description of full participation in its activities to of Batuco. their station and the way it any member of the community who operates. wants to become involved. Because our station allows the inhabitants of Batuco to fully Radio Batuco,107.9 FM, The budget for the station is zero, participate in presenting different broadcasts in Batuco, a town 30km but with a bit of common sense types of programs, the people north of Santiago, the Capital of and ideas [for example the use of really feel represented by the Chile. Batuco is a poor town and egg’s cartoons for the acoustics of station. This makes Radio Batuco the majority of its residents survive our studio] we try to give a good a genuine community station, a by working as farmhands or in signal to all of Batuco. But help of radio for its people. other poorly paid jobs which gives any kind is always needed to allow them a small salary, usually not us to continue this work for our Happy 2001 to ethnic community enough to support their families. community. broadcasters in Australia Daniel Alejandro Tapia We thought that a community radio We have only one telephone line Director Radio Batuco could be the starting point to show which is out of order most of the Batuco’s existence, that we had the time because we can‘t afford to pay You can contact Radio Batuco at right to talk and to express our the bills, but we do have an email [email protected] concerns, and to show that we are address, to make it easy to keep in capable of growing. touch with our friends in . Through the support given by community radio in Australia. Radio Batuco to the people of

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 27 MULTICULTURAL RADIO: TURNING DOWN THE STATIC

Jason Yat-sen Li, pictured left, was the keynote speaker at the NEMBC Conference 2000. Jason is a human rights lawyer who has worked for the United Nations. He is also a former community broadcaster. In his address he suggests we need to change our ideas about multiculturalism and how it operates in Australia.

The importance of multiculturalism in a modern society cannot be understated. Finding effective, morally defensible and politically acceptable solutions to the challenges thrown up by populations of increasing diversity, is probably one of the greatest challenges facing democracies around the planet.

The great conflicts of the last decade, Bosnia, Kosovo, Chechnya, East Timor, Fiji, Gaza, all have had to do with the failure or breakdown, deliberate or accidental, of multiculturalism.

Neither is multiculturalism well entrenched nor universally accepted in Australia. This is in spite of the Olympic Games and the fact that One Nation, the organization, has largely self- destructed. One Nation, the political sentiment, is however

28 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 flourishing out there in the modern citizenship. It is perhaps deliberately avoid using the term heartland of Australia. no surprise that we have been “multiculturalism ” for years? I saw that about a year ago when at confronting, and will continue to The history of multiculturalism in a petrol station outside of Port confront, issues of our identity: the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s has Stephens, a car load of boofheads · Reconciliation as the challenge to been rewritten, perhaps most yelled at me: “Go home! Get on ya understand our past with honesty notably by Paul Sheehan in Among boat!”. They seem to forget how and courage, and to build upon it; the Barbarians in 1997, to suggest the first white settlers came to that multiculturalism was always a · the Republic as acknowledging Australia - by boat. This is my politicians’ policy, foisted on a our maturity as a people, and home. Just as it is your home. disgruntled public. This is the story where our destiny as a nation lies, After a 60 Minutes republic debate, told by One Nation and by other a progressive step into our future; an audience member rang up a forces alienated from government talk back program and said “You · Multiculturalism as social reality and decision-making processes, shouldn’t listen to that Jason Li and policies to reconcile equality forces opposing immigration, fellow. He’s not a real Australian”. and difference in a population of forces driven by the politics of I suspect all of you understand increasing diversity on the other. hard-times, rapid overwhelming change and economic instability. how statements such as these These are intangible issues of a rock our very existence. The nation coming to terms with its The multiculturalism of the last attitudes contained in these own maturity and looking inwards twenty years is a static statements can, I believe, be seen at itself. multiculturalism . It sees culture as the anvil on which we can as static, as baggage that an Who are we as Australians? What hammer out an understanding of individual retains or jettisons. does an Australian look like? What multiculturalism and Baggage that cannot be altered. are the things which bind us reconciliation. together as a people and a nation? Resources, policies and initiatives They contain the central myths and for migrants and ethnic Australians These are questions at the heart of untruths which multiculturalism were designed with the goal of our national self-consciousness. and reconciliation seek to overturn: helping people with difference to They are, as Lindsay Tanner calls that the English were not here first, better engage with civil society, to them, “issues of Australia’s soul”. that Australia was taken from the find employment, security and They are inextricably linked to each indigenous populations illegally equality despite the “problems” other. and brutally, that no one culture their difference generated. has a greater right to exist in They are each about the creation of The idea became entrenched that Australia or monopolise the a social and political framework in ethnicity and cultural difference definition of Australia than any which all Australians, regardless of create segmentation and division. other. their background can feel included, Chinese Australians v. Greek welcome, and Australian, with no This is not some matter of Australians v. Italian Australians v. one cultural identity being placed historical curiosity, but is having a Indian Australians. Seen in this above the rest as superior. continuing impact in society today light, static multiculturalism and tomorrow. This statement How is it that so morally irrefutable suggests that difference should be highlights the confused state of a principle as multiculturalism , a tolerated – but only up to a point. Australia’s soul and its identity. precept entirely consistent with the Which point? The point of “social much lauded Australian virtue of a Today, Australia stands at a cohesion”. “fair-go”, should come under crossroads. We have moved The failure of static significant assault? How is it that barely noticeably into the new multiculturalism lies in its flawed a Prime Minister should millennium, our third century of

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 29 understanding of cultural and when they are transplanted from Because I am certainly not saying, ethnic difference. It presents a one cultural context to another. to put it in the crudest terms, that simplistic and reductive view of What we find is that static every Greek language program culture and ethnicity, superficially multiculturalism presents a false should be replaced with Wogs Out reducing these notions to lifestyle image of reality. Culture evolves; it Of Work. and nothing more. It encourages does not stay the same forever. What are the traditional roles of Australians to see culture as Culture is carried by individuals. As ethnic broadcasters? something static and unchanging. they interact and evolve, so does · Provision of information, The value of culture and ethnicity the culture they carry, produce and entertainment, cultural connection has never been properly embraced reproduce. and comfort, for migrants and new because it had never been properly Language changes incrementally. Australians; championed by government – with Culture grows. Individual identities courage, honesty and leadership. ·To showcase the cultural diversity alter culture, which shapes As a result, many Australians now of Australia; individual identities. Multicultural ask “Why should we tolerate and multifaceted life is a reality of · To preserve and showcase difference at all? It produces constant change, dynamism and language skills and facilitate inequality,” and it was this attitude organic growth. To understand it cultural and linguistic education. that spawned: Pauline Hanson’s and work with it, we need a model One Nation. What we need is a new Is there not a tension here? If of evolutionary multiculturalism. path. A path that does not treat ethnic broadcasting caters for difference as an obstacle to Evolutionary multiculturalism specific linguistic and cultural equality. means we are all part of this groups, isn’t this static dynamic, changing, morphing multiculturalism? The theory that Beyond Static Multiculturalism mass we call Australia. It is a slow we have just said has been the : Equality Through Difference and sometimes unnoticeable cause of so many of To understand how difference and process. For many migrants, multiculturalism’s problems? equality may be reconciled, we values and attitudes from their Perhaps, then, evolutionary need to understand what happens upbringing will never leave them. multiculturalism can provide a what actually happens to Evolutionary multiculturalism is not framework for your thinking during immigrants when they come to theory. It is how our nation works. the course of this conference, of Australia, and what happens to And it is here that I’d like to outline future directions for ethnic Australia when immigrants come a particular challenge and role for broadcasting in Australia. here. ethnic broadcasters: how to Moving beyond a static This is the very intimate, personal reconcile the traditional role of multiculturalism mode and journey that migrants make over the ethnic broadcasting with the reality embracing evolutionary course of years, maybe decades, of evolutionary multiculturalism.

30 - The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 In May this year, a report found that not one Asian actor was cast in a sustaining role on a commercial Australian television drama in 1999. At the launch of the report, Sydney actor Anthony Wong parodied the roles in which he has been typecast during his career: “Hello, my name is Greg Foo Yong and I am a kung-fu instructor”. “I am also a Chinese cook, a waiter, a servant … a drug dealer, a Triad boss and a part-time nuclear physicist. In my spare time, I like to do tai chi, chi gung, I ching, feng shui, ping pong and bungy jumping. I am also a master of acupuncture so if you need a prick, just call me”. multiculturalism could take many evolve. mainstream Australia. There remains a staggering under guises: · For new migrants, ethnic representation of ethnic • Firstly, to see culture as dynamic broadcasters will still provide Australians in the mainstream and changing. Encourage information and entertainment, in media. Perhaps these are some Australians from all backgrounds their original language; reasons behind the phenomenal to recognise that we are all · For migrants who have been in success of programs such as Wog different. The politics we face is a Australia for a longer period of Boys or Wogs out of Work. For the politics of fluid, evolving individuals time, ethnic broadcasting provides members of the newer waves of and groups. It is a mixing pot, a link back to their first home, to Asian migration, the lack of Asian rather than a melting pot. that culture; faces in Australian media is even • To make language programs · For the children of migrants, more pronounced. themselves multilingual or at least ethnic broadcasting allows an In light of the refusal of bi-lingual; insight into the world of their mainstream Australian • To make a conscious effort to parents and their cultural heritage; broadcasting to reflect the true include Australians from a diversity · For the children of migrants, who ethnic diversity of the Australian of backgrounds in management, are losing their language skills population, it falls upon ethnic programming, presenting and as with great speed, ethnic broadcasters to play this role. It is nd subjects of interviews and broadcasting serves an crucial for 2 generation ethnic features; educational function; Australians. For us, it means expression, identity and validation. • And perhaps most importantly, to · And for the children of migrants make a conscious effort to include and other young Australians of For teenagers growing up, going more young Australians in NESB, ethnic broadcasting may be through the socialisation process, broadcasting, in particular, the an opportunity of participation; struggling to find a place in society, second and later generations of ethnic and community Given the dwindling numbers of your community groups – to design broadcasting can provide them immigrants and an aging and air programs that portray the with a voice. With an opportunity of population, your traditional 2nd generation, their lives and participation. With an opportunity audiences may be shrinking. This issues in Australian society. of citizenship. is particularly the case in respect In this way, ethnic broadcasting of migrant communities with a long In this sense, the role of ethnic can show and reflect evolutionary history of settlement in Australia- community broadcasting goes so multiculturalism at work. for instance the post-war European far beyond the roles of education and entertainment and even In this way, ethnic broadcasting migrants. For these groups – it is preservation of culture – it goes to can provide a link between the the second generation populations the heart of forging an inclusive past, the present and the future. who are the growing audience. It Australian identity for all And it is in this sense that is this generation that is struggling Australians. multifaceted roles of ethnic for a voice, for an identity and for broadcasting will evolve as role models and opportunities in individual audience members

The Ethnic Broadcaster, Summer 2001 - 31 Canberra’s National Multicultural Festival Saturday 3rd - Sunday 18th March 2001 Celebrating Australia’s Rich Cultural Diversity Summer 2001 Edition

The NEMBC Executive President: George Zangalis,Vic Vice-President: Victor Marillanca, ACT Secretary: Karina Ceron,TAS Treasurer: Upali Ranasinghe,NT Members: Hans Degenhart,SA Osaiasi Faiva,NSW Joanne Fettke, (Youth Representative) Patricia Karvelas,Vic Alex Lutero,WA Heinrich Stefanik, ACT George Sudull, Qld National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council

NEMBC Staff Executive/Policy Officer: Bruce Francis Administration Officer: Nick Bastow Bookkeeper: Denis West AERTP Coordinator: Michelle Vlatkovic Ethnic News Digest Co-ord.: Nick Bastow Ethnic News Digest Journalist: Nicola Joseph Online Coordinator: Lucy Foley

Editorial Committee: Broadcaster Heinrich Stefanik Osaiasi Faiva George Zangalis

Editorial Coordinators: Bruce Francis and Nick Bastow Newsletter Design and Layout: Lucy Foley Photo acknowledgements: Eden Rolfe, Jacqui Brown, Judith Ventic, Al Noveloso

The Ethnic Broadcaster: is the quarterly journal of the NEMBC, National Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasters’ Council.

We welcome contributions from members and other interested parties. Advertisements are also welcome. Please contact the office for rates.

The views expressed in The Ethnic Broadacster are not Ethnic necessarily the views of the NEMBC. NEMBC Office and Contact Details: 1st Floor, 156 George Street Fitzroy VIC 3065 Postal Address: PO Box 1144 Collingwood VIC 3066 Phone: 03 9486 9549 Fax: 03 9486 9499 Email: [email protected]

The Web page: www.nembc.org.au