NT Youth Bail Laws | 2021 | The Law Report, ABC RN
In 2021, the NT Labor government scrapped youth bail laws that had been passed in line with recommendations made by the NT Royal Commission into Youth Detention and Care (2017). The change was made following national media coverage about youth crime in Alice Springs.
Two youth advocates speak out about the impact the reversal of youth bail reform is having on young people in Central Australia, while a Youth Justice Symposium is held in Alice Springs.
Supervising Production by Damien Carrick.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions.
‘It’s Like A Mythic Battle’ - An Interview with Declan Furber Gillick | 2023 | The Wheeler Centre
Declan Furber Gillick is a Mparntwe (Alice Springs) based artist and educator whose practice includes theatre, writing, music production and visual art. He’s a Central Arrernte man, with Irish-Australian heritage, and the son of two long-standing community activists, with differing political lines.
Over Summer 2022/2023, media narratives about youth crime in Mparntwe captured the national imagination, prompting calls for military intervention from the Mayor, and emergency visits from the Prime Minister. Declan reflects on the complex mythologies and narratives that underlie Central Australia, at the height of a media circus and local resentment towards the ‘problems’ of the town, exploring how to resist, how to politically organise, and how to reclaim the narrative.
Made as part of Signal Boost 2023, with the support of The Wheeler Centre and the Ian Potter Foundation.
Supervising production by Johanna Bell.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions
Never Gonna Let The Language Go Away | 2020 | National Features and Documentary Series
In Central Australia, English is many people’s third, fourth, or fifth language.
A look back at Yankunyjatjara man Yami Lester’s fight for Aboriginal language rights and interpreter services, and how much there is still to do.
Made with the support of the Community Media Training Organisation (CMTO), Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) and the Community Radio Network (CRN).
Supervising Production by Belinda Lopez.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions.
Anti-protest forestry laws in Victoria | 2023 | Making a Difference - The Junction
In August 2022, Victoria’s Labor government passed anti-protest legislation aimed at activists entering designated logging zones. Except the laws didn’t just apply to blockading or direct action - they captured anyone found in the zone. This included citizen scientists - volunteers who head out to Victoria’s forests to survey for threatened species and ecological values, who now could face imprisonment or hefty fines for doing this work.
Two environmental activists explain the value in citizen science, its role in strategic litigation, and ongoing solidarity to resist the broader trend in Australia to criminalise protest.
Post-script: Days after this piece was produced, the Andrews government announced an ‘end’ to native logging by 2024, citing climate change and industry uncertainty caused by prolonged litigation (that often relies on citizen science).
Music by Blue Dot Sessions.
The Drive-In | 2022 | Background Sound, Radio Adelaide
The last metropolitan drive-in closed in South Australia in early 2022.
We go to the final screening, and take in the outdoor ambience, as cars honk their farewells. Australia has a peculiar relationship with drive-ins, and we hear from an expert who has studied the perseverance of drive-ins and improvised cinema in regional contexts amid decades of technological change. Then we head over 800kms to Umoona/Coober Pedy, to hear from the volunteers at the helm of South Australia’s last remaining drive-in.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions
Pigeons, Cats and Rose Gardens | 2023 | The Wheeler Centre
What does it mean if your family is from somewhere else, but you don’t have all the pieces?
An Australian family reconstructs fantastic stories about their maternal lineage to Istanbul, Turkiye, and try to answer the question, ‘where is your family from?’
Made as part of Signal Boost 2023, with the support of The Wheeler Centre and the Ian Potter Foundation.
Supervising production by Johanna Bell.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions
The Beckoning Blade | 2022 | Background Sound, Radio Adelaide
Have you got witches in the family? Did you ever hear about the agriculture-revival-romanticism associated with the smock? Are you into folk horror? Collect scythes? Is there a taxidermied goat in your local artists’ warehouse studio?
An in-studio interview with textile and sculpture artist, Julia Robinson, about the inspiration behind her 2022 exhibition, The Beckoning Blade.
Broadcast on Radio Adelaide 101.5fm.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions
The Canary Club | 2020 | All The Best, FBi Radio
Nick breeds canaries in his garage in suburban South Australia. He’s the youngest member of his local Canary Club, and he’s got a dream - to win the Canary Cup for Best Bird.
But it takes a lot to get there, and each season there are wins and there are losses.
Supervising Production by Evana Ho.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions
A Postcard From Greece | 2022 | All The Best, FBi Radio
Two friends head overseas, to the same country, one month apart.
An audio postcard between two producers, taking in the sights, smells and sounds of Greece as international travel opens back up after the pandemic.
Co-produced with Tiarne Cook.
Music by Blue Dot Sessions.
