#095 Deadly Derby Radio

Sparking voice, connection & women’s footy leagues, with Leon Khan & OJ Burns

Community-owned media is a vital part of regeneration, and this is all the more true for First Nations communities. It’s a well-documented leverage point for attaining massive benefits for local and regional communities - which of course, ultimately, means all of us. The award-winning Larrkardi Radio in Derby, far north Western Australia, is a brilliant and resurgent case-in-point. With a 5-pronged boab out front, and a local, regional, national and now even global reach growing within.

Larrkardi Radio in Derby, Western Austraila (Anthony James).

“You got your country people like us, then you got your city Indigenous radio stations, but then you got Indigenous people from out in the bush, who aren’t as fortunate as us with running water and all that, they come to these [conferences]. And just to see them, they get up there and talk on what they do. They give us inspiration, to go, what can we do? If they’re doing that there, they give us the inspiration to go, you know what, nothing’s too hard. ”

— Leon Khan

Leon, Owen, Bekah, Sunimah and the crew are an inspiration. They’re engaging diverse communities, building understanding and opportunity, recording local artists and ancient Songlines, generating their own stories and systems, and amplifying some of the game-changing stuff happening here. Whether it’s with health outcomes, the vital success of the youth centre, or sparking the local women’s footy league that has since spread like wildfire across the Kimberley, and will feature on an ABC documentary soon. And if you’re wondering how much that matters, listen in.

As with so much we hear on this podcast, the team at Larrkardi are finding that what they do is bubbling up everywhere. A First Nations media movement gathers pace, helping to bring people alive, and communities and a country together.

Join us in the new podcast room at 6DBY Larrkardi Radio - your deadly Derby Station. Leon Khan is the trail blazing Indigenous health worker and coach of the Derby Tigers footy club, recruited to manage the station and unexpectedly finding his calling. And Owen Burns (or OJ) is the young guy who hated moving to Derby as a kid, but found his home there as a broadcaster from the age of 11.

This conversation was recorded at the station on 24 August 2021.

Incidentally, the Derby Tigers men’s team went on to make the Grand Final, but lost against the dynasty of Cable Beach.

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