Plenaries

Opening Plenary (Friday)

The opening plenary from the Friday morning of the 2009 CBAA Conference includes:

• President’s Introduction
• Welcome to Country
• Ministerial Address
• Senator The Hon. Stephen Conroy
• President’s Address
• Keynote Address by Di Bell

The Keynote Address: River Stories

presented by Diane Bell, Professor Emerita of Anthropology; River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group, Inc.

Community broadcasting carries our stories and, like the mighty Murray-Darling River system, connects people and places. Our stories draw on local knowledge that embraces the daily rhyme and rhythm of the land. They offer comfort and wisdom. But, times are tough across the Murray-Darling Basin and communities are being pitted against each other and disconnected. Professor Diane Bell connects the challenges of Community Broadcasting to the spirited and innovative campaigning by action groups in the Lower Murray and Lakes Alexandrina and Albert.

Bell suggests our “River Stories” honour the local while shaping our national narratives. Our stories, local, regional and national, she argues, inform action.

River Stories presentation