AFTER faltering in the mid-1900s, Indigenous multi-media organisation Goolarri Media Enterprises is back on its feet and hoping to expand.
AFTER faltering in the mid-1900s, Indigenous multi-media organisation Goolarri Media Enterprises is back on its feet and hoping to expand.
The turnaround is due, in part, because of a unique, award-wining training program that blends hands-on training and theory with paid employment and voluntary work.
Controlled by Broome Aboriginal Media Association, Mark Binbaker and Kevin Fong, the Broome-based Indigenous television and radio broadcaster was recently named the Small Business of the Year at the 2003 WA Training Excellence Awards.
Goolarri Media Enterprises, which now turns over about $2 million a year, is also a small business finalist at next month’s national training awards in Queensland.
The multi-media company’s award-wining reality based training model allows Kimberley people to be employed and trained in film and television, broadcasting and multimedia at a nationally accredited standard, despite the nearest accredited media training provider being in Perth.
Twelve trainees were put through industry standard training programs in radio broadcasting, screen, music production and multi-media courses completely on site in Broome during the past 18 months rather than travelling to a registered media trainer in Perth.
Managing director Kevin Fong said the training was an integral part of Goolarri’s place in society as well as a key part of its success and plans to expand operations.
Originally operating solely as a radio station, Goolarri has expanded to operate television broadcasting, music recording, events management and information technology services.
Mr Fong said nationally accredited training would assist by providing sustainable and professional media service to the industry, the North West and nationally.
Goolarri Media Enterprises training manager Carol-Anne Olivero said the unique training program was designed to get around a lack of local media training facilities.
She said the accredited training, which provided both hands-on as well as theory training, was made possible through a unique ‘partnership agreement’ with TAFEWA.
Under the agreement TAFEWA is effectively guaranteed a nationally accredited standard of training despite having no hands-on role with the Goolarri trainees.
