The Indigenous and Multi-Cultural broadcasting sectors held a joint conference in Brisbane over the weekend, where both organizations met together for the first time to discuss issues of common interest and hold annual elections.

The theme of the conference was ‘Language, Culture, Identity.’

NEMBC Chairman George Zangalis told delegates it was “a historic joint conference” and AICA Chairman Ken Rhys stressed the significance of the Aboriginal & Torres Straight Islander sector and the Ethnic & Multi-cultural sector to Community Radio in Australia.

Speakers included the Queensland Minister for Multi-cultural and Ethnic Affairs, Lindy Nelson-Carr who praised the contribution of both sectors to broadcasting and announced a significant conference sponsorship from the Queensland Government of $50,000.

Workshops on digital radio, training, reporting mental illness, and the sector’s lobbying campaign called ‘Value our Voices’ were held as part of the conference.

At the NEMBC’s annual general meeting, George Zangalis was re-elected President and Tangi Steen was re-elected Vice President of the association.