Community-owned media is a vital part of regeneration, and this is all the more true for First Nations communities. It’s a well-documented leverage point for attaining massive benefits for local and regional communities - which of course, ultimately, means all of us. The award-winning Larrkardi Radio in Derby, far north Western Australia, is a brilliant and resurgent case-in-point. With a 5-pronged boab out front, and a local, regional, national and now even global reach growing within.

Leon, Owen, Bekah, Sunimah and the crew are an inspiration. They’re engaging diverse communities, building understanding and opportunity, recording local artists and ancient Songlines, generating their own stories and systems, and amplifying some of the game-changing stuff happening here. Whether it’s with health outcomes, the vital success of the youth centre, or sparking the local women’s footy league that has since spread like wildfire across the Kimberley (and will feature on an ABC documentary soon). And if you’re wondering how much that matters, listen in.

As with so much we hear on this podcast, the team at Larrkardi are finding that what they do is bubbling up everywhere. A First Nations media movement gathers pace, helping to bring people alive, and communities and a country together.

Join us in the new podcast room at 6DBY Larrkardi Radio - your deadly Derby Station. Leon Khan is the trail blazing Indigenous health worker and coach of the Derby Tigers footy club, recruited to manage the station and unexpectedly finding a calling. And Owen Burns (or OJ) is the young guy who hated moving to Derby as a kid, but found his home there as a broadcaster from the age of 11.

This conversation was recorded at the station on 24 August 2021.

Title slide: Larrkardi Radio in Derby (pic: Anthony James). See the episode web page for more photos.

Music:
The System, by the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra.

The tune accompanying the introduction is by Jeremiah Johnson.

Stones & Bones, by Owls of the Swamp.

Find more:
Stream 6DBY Larrkardi Radio from Derby, Western Australia 

Follow The Conversation podcast, produced at 6DBY, available on Spotify

They’ve also just launched their YouTube channel

First Nations Media Australia

IndigiTube 

And there’ll be a community screening of The Serpent’s Tale, directed by my previous guest Mark Jones, in Derby on 9 October 2021, at the Sporties at 6.30pm.

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