Coniston Massacre Documentary Funding Appeal

Warlpiri Media Association (trading as PAW Media and Communications) is an Aboriginal media organisation based in Yuendumu in Central Australia. It has a national and international reputation for its research into Aboriginal media in the early 1980s as well as for its production Bush Mechanics which was shown on ABC national television. Our website at www.pawmedia.com.au shows the extent of our media work in remote Aboriginal communities.

Warlpiri Media Association is currently producing an important documentary telling the story of the 1928 Coniston massacres. A series of killings of Aboriginal people took place in August 1928 leading to an inquiry at which no Aboriginal witnesses were called. The official number of 31 killed has long been disputed by the Aboriginal families affected by the killings, with estimates in the hundreds. After a long and exhaustive series of interviews with the four survivors who were children at the time, as well as many second generation survivors who were told the stories, Warlpiri Media Association in association with its co-production partner Rebel Films, is about to go into production with the Aboriginal side of the story.

The documentary is in the commissioning stage for ABC National TV and is expected to be shown in mid to late 2011. Whilst Warlpiri Media has gained a large percentage of the funding, we have a funding shortfall of $90,000. The costs of filming in a remote location are significant as are the costs of ensuring that the production is of the highest quality for national audiences.

We are appealing to Australian people and organisations to support this incredible historically important project. The telling of the story of the Coniston Massacre from an Aboriginal perspective is vital for our nation's history, knowledge and memory. The story will be a significant step forward in the process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and immeasurably important to the survivors, and families affected by the killings, as well as for the memory of those killed. Please help us make this documentary by donating.