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Telling strong stories: south-west ranger media workshop

2 minute read

Recording and sharing stories about Country, culture and community is an important part of being an Indigenous ranger.

In November 2023, three south-west ranger teams (Wiluna Martu, Birriliburu, and Spinifex Rangers) came together for a media training workshop in Perth. Rangers worked together in small teams, learning how to tell strong stories with interviews, film and social media content.

The workshop group at Trinity College.

Rangers brainstormed story ideas to film back on their country. The teams also familiarised themselves with new filming equipment, practised interview skills, and learnt to edit content in ways that tell a good story.

"Good week for me learning about technology and very good to understand how to use the equipment. I'm looking forward to going back home next year and talking about ngurra (Country), make a film!"

Leroy Anderson, Birriliburu Ranger
Birriliburu Rangers learning about different film equipment.

After doing some storyboarding and planning for their film ideas, rangers took a field trip to Karrgatup (Kings Park) to put their storytelling skills in practice. Meg & Walter from Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours & Experiences told stories about their country while rangers took video clips to edit afterwards.

Rangers listening to Walter from Go Cultural Tours talk about his country.

"I really enjoyed it and doing new things. Learning how to use new technology and how to film and edit are useful skills I can use when I go back home to video. I enjoyed meeting new people, working together and sharing our stories."

Tarlisha Currie, Spinifex Ranger
Spinifex Rangers practice filming on an iPad.

On the last day, rangers learnt about the best way to make videos for TikTok, and had the chance to share the films they'd been working on over the last few days.

Clockwise: Wiluna Martu Rangers Patricia Bingham and Verna Morgan practicing filming on an iPad; Wiluna Martu Ranger Alwyn Anderson practicing interviewing Hugh Ford; rangers brainstorming at the workshop.

Thank you to Lotterywest for supporting IDA's Ranger Development Program.

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