The Midwest Aboriginal Media Association, servicing the mid-West region of Western Australia, is adding to their ranks with a $65,000 grant under the Indigenous Local Employment Fund.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt, said the funding will employ an Indigenous Network Manager in Geraldton, with a view to further expansion.
“Indigenous broadcasters are an integral part of keeping many remote communities connected and informed,” Minister Wyatt said.
“This grant will allow them to recruit a network manager and cover an initial training period, while they establish key relationships in the broadcasting sector and transition the role into a sustainable paid position.”
“Melissa Price knows how critical local radio and broadcasters are to the distribution of essential information to the mid-West region and consistently raises with me the need to support organisations like Radio MAMA.”
Member for Durack, Melissa Price, said that Radio MAMA has a vibrant team of staff and volunteers who provide a local voice for Aboriginal people in the Mid-West, Murchison and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia.
“This new position will become a leadership role to help manage Radio MAMA and ensure they maintain their high standard of broadcasting to their region.”
“Stations like Radio MAMA have played a critical role in some of the remote regions of my Durack electorate allowing me to record personal health and safety messages during COVID-19.”
“They have been an important link to many communities during the pandemic, as well as their well-regarded broadcasts of each local football season.”
Barry Anderson, Manager at Midwest Aboriginal Media Association, said the funding will help Radio MAMA pursue its future ambitions for the station.
“This support will enable us to grow our partnerships with communities and progress plans for new stations throughout the Midwest, Murchison and Gascoyne.”
“This funding provides a positive way forward for our organisation and communities and without it, we may have stood still or gone backwards.”
The Morrison Government’s Indigenous Local Employment Fund funds short-term, one-off proposals between $5,000 and $250,000 to help Indigenous jobseekers overcome obstacles in accessing local employment opportunities and provide pathways into labour markets, particularly where COVID-19 has had a significant impact.