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FOUR DECADES OF AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS MEDIA

Satellite Dreaming is a TV programme – broadcast in Australia and in the UK in the early 1990s – which traced the emergence of Australian Indigenous electronic media at the time.

It is still seen as ‘a film of considerable historic importance’ (SBS/NITV) and a ‘a useful teaching resource on the history of Indigenous media, and how it differs from mainstream programming’ (Australia's National Film and Sound Archive).

SATELLITE DREAMING REVISITED uses the 1991 programme as the focus for exploring Indigenous media work in Australia over the last four decades – the 1980s to now – through the eyes of many of the people involved in the original programme, and in the wider field – some of whom have also written essays for the Site.

The site is not finished or 'complete'. If you are interested in contributing to, or commenting on it, please go to the Feedback section at the bottom of the Credits page.


1980

Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) founded

Photograph of two men in blue shirts standing in front of a sign reading Aboriginal Radio.
1982

'Pirate' TV experiments at Yuendumu & Ernabella

1985

AUSSAT - Australia's national satellite company - launched

Screengrab. Animated. Character carries carving above head, illuminated by stage lights and standing on map of Australia. Surrounded by ocean.
1987
1987

The Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme (BRACS) introduced

Bightly coloured all-caps logo for the Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme (BRACS)
1988

Imparja Television begins broadcasting

News article screengrab featuring three men and one woman leaning on a colour TV. Caption states Hello, Welcome to Imparja TV...
1989

SBS broadcasts Australia’s first prime-time Aboriginal program, First in Line

1991
1993-1996

8 RIMOs (Remote Indigenous Media Organisations) set up under the BRACS Revitalisation Scheme

cropped image of two women sitting and smiling in front of a video equipment
2001

IRCA (Indigenous Remote Communications Association) established + ICTV (Indigenous Community Television) starts narrowcasting

2007

NITV (National Indigenous Television) founded

2009

Samson & Delilah wins the Cannes Camera d'Or First Feature Award

2013

Redfern Now - the first Indigenous prime-time drama series on Australian television

2016

Indigitube – the online media channel by and for First Nations people - gets a national platform

2016

First Nations Media Australia becomes the national peak body for Indigenous broadcasters and media producers.

2022

Satellite Dreaming Revisited website launched.