NEMBC 2023 Conference

Inspire the Future

ACKNOWLEDGE the past, RECOGNISE the present, and INSPIRE the future

Dates

26th May – Youth Conference 12.30pm to 5pm Opened by Media diversity Australia, followed by a panel discussion on The News Space, Griffith University present its one year research project findings on youth engagement, Izzy N the Profit and a session for a Call to Action.

26 May – Women’s Community Broadcasting session 5pm to 6.30pm. This is an opportunity to engage with the NEMBC Women’s Committee and women broadcasters from around Australia! Discuss the issues and needs of your state or station how we can all work together to support each other.

26 May Networking Session: 6.30pm 7.45pm Official Welcome to Country ceremony followed by network drinks

27th May – Main Conference 8.50am to 5pm

27 May Gala Dinner 7pm to 11pm

28th May – NEMBC AGM 9am to 12 noon see details on voting and motion below.

MAIN CONFERENCE PROGRAM Saturday 27th May

8.50am Welcome to Country

9am Opening by the Hon Minister Michelle Rowland MP

9.30am How ethnic community broadcasting has survived digital and pandemic disruption’

Presenters: Dr Heather Anderson, Professor Susan Forde, Professor Halim Rane

Presentation and Workshop: Griffith University will provide a presentation from the Digital Connections project, introduced at the 2022 NEMBC Conference in Melbourne. Now, a year later, the researchers have completed a major survey of broadcasters, station managers, and ethnic program coordinators; and carried out interviews and focus groups at 8 key stations around Australia. Our findings suggest both the pandemic and the digital ‘revolution’ have proved a double-edged sword for the sector, bringing new audiences and upskilling broadcasters while also challenging the ‘community hub’ nature of community radio and causing the loss of some long-term programs.

A key gap has been identified in services for new and emerging communities, particularly humanitarian and refugee communities; but at the same time, many perceive a heightened sense of trust for the radio station among their audiences. These findings will be presented in detail, with opportunities for conference participants to provide insight and feedback on the findings, and to discuss these in-depth with fellow ethnic community broadcasters in small-group sessions.

10.30am Morning Tea

11 to 12.30am Griffith university workshop session on insights and feedback discussion with fellow ethnic broadcasters in small-group sessions.

12.30pm Lunch

1.30pm The “Voice” presentation; Why we need a First Nations Voice Explained.

2pm The News Space

The pandemic showed how vital news and information are for CALD communities. Accurate news is even more important in this ‘post-truth era’ with the spread of disinformation and misinformation, and due to the speed and quick access to news via social media platforms.

Ethnic community broadcasters remained strong during the pandemic and adapted to the digital disruption by being a locally trusted voice. Radio programs offer a sense of ‘connectedness’ that only in-language radio programs can provide. However, broadcasters are not immune to the spread of misinformation, especially from the ‘home country’ or diaspora.

This session, ‘The News Space,’ examines the changing media landscape and provides new opportunities for news coverage and a different way of thinking in a post-COVID new-normal world.

3pm Afternoon tea

3.30pm Media and Marketing for stations and broadcasters.

4.30 pm Sector Roadmap Presentation by Jo Curtin and Jon Bissett

5.15pm Conclusion

VENUE

The Novotel, Brighton Beach
Corner of Princess Street & The Grand Parade,
Brighton-Le-Sands, NSW 2216

Accommodation

To take advantage of the discounted accommodation rate, delegates can contact the Novotel directly on 02 9556 5111.

Please quote the reference number 260523NEM1 to receive 15% off the best available unrestricted rate, including breakfast.

Delegates will have to provide a credit card upon booking. Rates and room types are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Main Conference Prices:

Early Bird (NEMBC Member) – $180.00

Early Bird Concession (NEMBC Member) – $140.00

Early Bird (Non Member) – $250.00

Early Bird Gala Dinner (Additional Cost) – $120.00

Youth Media Conference Prices:

Youth Media Conference Only (NEMBC Member) – $40.00

Youth Media Conference Only (Concession) – $30.00

Youth Media Conference Only (Non Member) – $60.00

Youth Main Conference Prices:

Youth Main Conference Concession – $70.00

Youth Main Conference NEMBC Member – $90.00

Youth Main Conference (Non Member) – $125.00

Youth Gala Dinner (Additional Cost) – $70.00

Subsidies

Youth Travel Subsidies

The NEMBC will be offering financial assistance to broadcasters traveling to Sydney from interstate or rural/regional areas for the purposes of attending the Youth Media Conference. The Youth Media Conference will be on Friday 26 May 2023. To be eligible for the subsidy, applicants must:

• Be between 18-30 years of age
• Live outside of Sydney i.e. from a regional/ rural area or interstate
• Broadcast a program on community radio or has done in the last year
• Notify your station manager before applying

The subsidy will cover 50-80% (GST inclusive) of the cost of an economy/budget airfare or costs for terrestrial travel in NSW, for up to two delegates approved by the station. Limited funds are available.

Applicants HAVE NOW CLOSED

Other Travel Subsidies

The NEMBC will also be offering subsidies to cover travel costs for eligible members of the NEMBC. Eligible members can apply to receive 50%  of their return airfare. The subsidy will cover 50% of the cost of a return economy/budget airfare for up to three delegates approved by the station, provided at least one of the delegates is:

• aged under 30
• a woman
• or from a new and emerging community

Subsidies will only be paid after the conference upon presentation of receipts to the NEMBC Secretariat. Please complete the Conference Subsidy Form after the Conference. Email the form with receipts to admin@nembc.org.au

AGM details

The NEMBC AGM is Sunday at 9 am, the 28 May 2023, Cnr Grand Pde and Princess Street, Brighton Le Sands, Sydney, 2216.

Please see the following agenda and relevant information, including: Letter of Appointment, 2023. This AGM is not an election year but there will be a vote for:

“The NEMBC changing its financial audit from a financial year to a calendar year”.   

For all those wishing to vote at the NEMBC AGM we request that you send as soon as possible your Letter of Appointment nominating your delegates and voting delegate’s and how many votes each of the delegates will hold.

Please fill out the form provided or available for download from our website: www.nembc.org.au click on conference.

Delegates must be appointed by the ‘governing body’ of the station, and the Letter of Appointment CLICK HERE TO GET THE FORM TO FILL OUT signed by the relevant President, Secretary or Manager, confirming your board met and stating the names and number of votes for each delegate. Please email the letter to nembc@nembc.org.au.

While this Letter of Appointment is not due until 5pm Saturday 27 May 2023, the sooner we have the delegate’s names and votes the more organised and prepared we are for your AGM. 

What is important, however, is that your membership is paid as soon as possible.

The NEMBC Constitution and procedures requires that, for the purpose of nominating and voting, members must be:

(a) Financial members two weeks before the AGM, not later than the 15 May 2023.

(b) Represent a program broadcasting regularly, in a language other than English, or a multicultural program.

(c) Members are entitled to one vote for every five financial members, or part thereof: to be eligible for voting rights a station must have at least three financial members of the NEMBC.

(e) Please note: for general access stations the member programs can come together and appoint their delegate(s).

NEMBC ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – Sunday, 28 May 2023,

9am start, Cnr Grand Pde And Princess Street, Brighton Le Sands, Sydney, 2216.

AGENDA

1. Minutes of the last AGM
2. Business arising from Minutes
3. Annual Reports:
4. Reception of annual report presented by the President
5. Reception of annual financial report
6. Reception of annual report from committees

a) Youth Committee Report

b) Women’s Committee Report

• Notice of Motion: The NEMBC changing its financial audit from a financial year to a calendar year.  

• General business – actions from the conference.