An update from the General Manager
As we reflect on the year gone by, it’s clear that change is on the horizon at the NEMBC. As the new General Manager, I’m working closely with our Board of Directors implement significant changes that will benefit you, our members. We’ve listened to your feedback and are now taking action to improve the resources and support we offer, so you can continue to grow and succeed.
This year is all about creating new opportunities, building stronger connections, and providing you with the tools you need to make a bigger impact. While many changes are still in the early planning stages, 2025 marks the start of an exciting transformation for NEMBC. We are committed to making NEMBC a stronger, more inclusive organisation, and we can’t do it without your continued support.
Over the next few months, I’ll be running some listening tours, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, learn more about our plans, and share your thoughts on how we can make these changes work best for you. Stay tuned for dates and times, and please bring your ideas along! I’d love to get to know you better.
I’m also planning as many visits to as many stations as possible in 2025, and I’m really looking forward to learning more about your station and how we can support your programs to have an even greater impact.
Thank you for your patience and support as we navigate these changes. We’re excited about what’s ahead!
Please feel free to contact me via [email protected] if you have any questions, feedback, or if you’d like to connect when I’m in your area.
Thanks for tuning in, and keep up the great work!
Marianne Wangira
General Manager, NEMBC
2025 Membership Renewal
It’s that time of year again – membership renewals are now due! To continue enjoying the full benefits of NEMBC membership, including access to valuable resources,
support, and networking opportunities, please ensure you renew your membership here.
Thank you for your continued support – we look forward to working together in the year ahead!
AFL Project Paused for 2025
After eight remarkable years and over 200 episodes, the NEMBC has made the difficult decision to pause the AFL project for the 2025 season. This decision was not made lightly but is necessary to ensure our initiatives are sustainable and continue to benefit all our members.
The AFL project has been a pioneering platform in multicultural sports broadcasting, offering broadcasters unique opportunities to explore television alongside community radio and podcasts.
Pausing the AFL project is not the end but an opportunity to rethink its future. In 2025, we will conduct a feasibility study to explore how the program could operate as an independent entity. We are also considering expanding into other sports, amplifying new voices and stories in multicultural broadcasting.
Staff Updates
As the AFL program takes a break, we also bid farewell to Fiv Antoniou, the driving force behind the AFL project. Fiv’s dedication and vision have left an enduring legacy on multicultural sports broadcasting, and we are deeply grateful for his remarkable contributions. We wish him all the best in the next chapter of his journey.
We also say goodbye to Ella-Rose, our Engagement Officer. During her time with us, Ella-Rose made significant progress on our membership database and kept you all informed through monthly newsletters. We sincerely thank Ella-Rose for her contributions and wish her all the best in her future career.
Exciting Updates to the NEMBC Constitution
The NEMBC is making important changes to strengthen our governance and better serve our members. As approved at the 2022 AGM, we are transitioning from an Incorporated Association to a Company Limited by Guarantee. This change reflects our national reach and ensures we meet relevant legal and best practice standards.
As part of this process, our Constitution has been reviewed and updated to align with the Model Rules set out by Consumer Affairs Victoria, with expert advice from our lawyer and Governance and Risk Committee.
Membership Change
One of the most exciting changes is the introduction of individual voting rights for broadcasters. This new membership structure means that Program Representative Members (anyone involved in broadcasting a program) will now have voting rights, in addition to the voting rights already held by Station Members (station managers voting on behalf of their station).
This change creates a fairer voting system that ensures everyone has a chance to have their say. Thank you to everyone who contributed feedback to help us make this review possible!
The proposed updates will be voted on at the 2025 AGM, with the new Constitution taking effect in July 2025, if approved. Starting 1 July 2025, Program Representatives will be able to sign up as members and will have the opportunity to vote at the 2026 AGM.
We know that these changes are significant, and we want to ensure all members are fully informed. To provide clarity and answer any questions, we will hold a Zoom session with the NEMBC President and General Manager in March (date and time to be confirmed).
For more details, including the full proposed Constitution and a summary of key points, please refer to the attached documents.
We look forward to your input as we work together to shape the future of the NEMBC and continue championing multicultural voices in broadcasting.
Downoad Constitution Changes Explainer
Download Draft Constitution
2025 Melbourne Conference – Save the Date!
We’re thrilled to announce that the 2025 NEMBC Conference will be held iN Melbourne on 23 and 24 May.
This event will bring together ethnic broadcasters, community leaders, and media enthusiasts from across Australia to explore the conference theme: Voices of Change: Strategies for Inclusive and Impactful
Broadcasting.
This conference aims to inspire and empower participants to reflect on their contributions and equip them with the tools and knowledge to amplify their impact in multicultural broadcasting.
Further details, including the venue, program, and registration information, will be released soon. Stay tuned for updates, and make sure to mark your calendar!
Enhancing Membership Value at NEMBC
At NEMBC, we are committed to supporting and empowering our members. We’ve listened to your feedback and it’s clear that you want more resources, support, and opportunities to grow and sustain your broadcasting efforts.
As part of our strategic review, we’re reimagining our member value proposition – essentially, what you get as a member – and working towards offering a range of exciting new benefits.
While these enhanced services and resources are not available yet, we’re working hard to roll them out in 2025 and beyond. From practical resources like training workshops, grant-writing guidance, and a comprehensive broadcasting handbook, to networking events, program exchange platforms, and cultural content libraries, we’re building a foundation to ensure NEMBC provides the tools, knowledge, and networks you need to succeed.
These are just a few of the ideas in the works to make NEMBC a valuable partner in your broadcasting journey. This is your association, and we look forward to bringing these initiatives to life.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we work towards creating a more valuable and impactful NEMBC for all.
Recent Grant Applications and Successes
At NEMBC, we are committed to securing funding that will directly benefit our members and strengthen the work that we do in the community. Recently, we have applied for several key grants, each aimed at enhancing our services and supporting our strategic goals.
- Multicultural Peak Body Grant – Department of Home Affairs
We’ve applied for the Multicultural Peak Body Grant from the Department of Home Affairs, a $1.4 million, four-year initiative called “Cultural Connections: Empowering Multicultural Community Media”. This project aims to empower multicultural broadcasters and improve media representation by focusing on governance, capacity building, and media literacy. - Pure PR and New Colony – Impact Challenge Initiative
We have applied for strategic support through the Pure PR and New Colony Impact Challenge Initiative, which offers up to $20,000 to nonprofit organisations. This
will help us develop a comprehensive membership engagement strategy to ensure we offer the best value and experience for our members. - Organ and Tissue Authority – Community Awareness Grant
We are pleased to announce that we’ve secured a $13,000 grant from the Australian Government’s Organ and Tissue Authority. This funding will be used to translate and distribute vital information about organ and tissue donation, empowering ethnic broadcasters to share this important message with their communities.
Stay tuned for more details on how we’ll be distributing this information to save lives.