First Nations & Outreach

Tjamu Tjamu 2009, by Kurltjunyintja (Jackie) Giles Tjapaltjarri

The First Nations and Outreach team comprises a small team of specialists working collaboratively to build pathways into AFTRS via outreach, community engagement and leading industry diversity and inclusion initiatives. Working across the School, the team ensures that First Nations cultures are firmly embedded in everything we do at AFTRS while ensuring that AFTRS takes a leadership position as the hub of excellence in screen and broadcast learning that is safe, inclusive and accessible to people from all across Australia.

With an internal and external focus, the team works to initiate and lead structured educational and training pathways for new, emerging and seasoned Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners across Australia. Working with key industry stakeholders, the team supports AFTRS cultural remit to ensure the stories and voices we see and hear across the screen and broadcast industries are truly representative of all Australians.

  • Link to Peter Noble
    Peter Noble

    The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has announced that Peter Noble has been appointed Director, First Nations and Outreach. The First Nations and Outreach team works to initiate and lead structured educational and training pathways for new, emerging and seasoned practitioners across Australia from Culturally and Racially Marginalised groups. Working with key industry and community stakeholders, the team supports AFTRS’ cultural remit to ensure the stories and voices we see and hear across the screen and broadcast industries are truly representative of all Australians. Peter is a Girramay and Bandjin man from North Queensland and joins AFTRS from NITV where he has been General Manager since 2021. Peter brings more than 25 years’ experience in the media industry working across content disciplines including family entertainment, international and domestic sport, news, factual and lifestyle, for a diverse range of brands and platforms, including The Walt Disney Company, Seven Network, Red Bull and Network Ten.

    Peter Noble

    The Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) has announced that Peter Noble has been appointed Director, First Nations and Outreach. The First Nations and Outreach team works to initiate and lead structured educational and training pathways for new, emerging and seasoned practitioners across Australia from Culturally and Racially Marginalised groups. Working with key industry and community stakeholders, the team supports AFTRS’ cultural remit to ensure the stories and voices we see and hear across the screen and broadcast industries are truly representative of all Australians. Peter is a Girramay and Bandjin man from North Queensland and joins AFTRS from NITV where he has been General Manager since 2021. Peter brings more than 25 years’ experience in the media industry working across content disciplines including family entertainment, international and domestic sport, news, factual and lifestyle, for a diverse range of brands and platforms, including The Walt Disney Company, Seven Network, Red Bull and Network Ten.

    icon Job title:

    Director, First Nations & Outreach

    icon Division:

    First Nations & Outreach

  • Link to Jake Gablonski
    Jake Gablonski

    Jake Gablonski is a Wiradjuri man and Head of Community Engagement within AFTRS First Nations and Outreach team. He leads community engagement outcomes by working closely with industry and community stakeholders to expand access to screen and audio engagement, training and pathways. Jake brings experience working at the intersection of community, wellbeing and the media and storytelling industries. He has worked as a presenter across screen, audio and live events, and as a collaborator on national, community‑led initiatives that support inclusive engagement and the development of pathways for underrepresented voices. Jake is passionate about fostering safe and inclusive storytelling spaces and pathways, and supporting emerging practitioners to see themselves reflected in Australia’s screen and audio industries.

    Jake Gablonski

    Jake Gablonski is a Wiradjuri man and Head of Community Engagement within AFTRS First Nations and Outreach team. He leads community engagement outcomes by working closely with industry and community stakeholders to expand access to screen and audio engagement, training and pathways. Jake brings experience working at the intersection of community, wellbeing and the media and storytelling industries. He has worked as a presenter across screen, audio and live events, and as a collaborator on national, community‑led initiatives that support inclusive engagement and the development of pathways for underrepresented voices. Jake is passionate about fostering safe and inclusive storytelling spaces and pathways, and supporting emerging practitioners to see themselves reflected in Australia’s screen and audio industries.

    icon Job title:

    Head of Community Engagement

    icon Division:

    First Nations & Outreach

  • Link to Aunty Rhonda Dixon Grovenor
    Aunty Rhonda Dixon Grovenor

    Rhonda Dixon Grovenor is a 70-year-old Gadigal/Bidgigal/Yuin Elder and Traditional Descendant from the Sydney (Warrane) and saltwater basin and the South Coast of NSW. She is the daughter of First Nations activist and advocate, Dr Charles “Chicka” Dixon, who was an MUA union activist. Dixon is an Academic whose Creative Research Masters project focuses on “How to study and work respectfully on Gadigal/Bidgigal land and Principals”, an education module which will be available at the end of 2023. She will then go on to pursue her PhD. Dixon has over 50 years’ experience in the performing arts having received a scholarship to UCLA and she also has experience within the theatre sector as a writer, actor, collaborator and consultant. Dixon is a compassionate advocate in the fields of social and environmental justice and human rights self-determination, decolonisation, self-governance, community strengthening and cultural revitalisation for the future generations. In her capacity as the Elder in Residence at AFTRS Dixon draws on the many years of her cultural, political, historical knowledge and advocacy. She is passionate about bringing and sharing her unique skills knowledge and expertise to AFTRS and our future leaders and also learning from them.

    “It is so important that we (as First Nations people) tell our stories in our way through an Indigenous eye and through Indigenous perspectives, and that it is documented through Truth telling utilising the creative mediums of Film Art Dance Music Theatre and Technology” - Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor

    Dixon is a Cultural Storyteller.

    Aunty Rhonda Dixon Grovenor

    Rhonda Dixon Grovenor is a 70-year-old Gadigal/Bidgigal/Yuin Elder and Traditional Descendant from the Sydney (Warrane) and saltwater basin and the South Coast of NSW. She is the daughter of First Nations activist and advocate, Dr Charles “Chicka” Dixon, who was an MUA union activist. Dixon is an Academic whose Creative Research Masters project focuses on “How to study and work respectfully on Gadigal/Bidgigal land and Principals”, an education module which will be available at the end of 2023. She will then go on to pursue her PhD. Dixon has over 50 years’ experience in the performing arts having received a scholarship to UCLA and she also has experience within the theatre sector as a writer, actor, collaborator and consultant. Dixon is a compassionate advocate in the fields of social and environmental justice and human rights self-determination, decolonisation, self-governance, community strengthening and cultural revitalisation for the future generations. In her capacity as the Elder in Residence at AFTRS Dixon draws on the many years of her cultural, political, historical knowledge and advocacy. She is passionate about bringing and sharing her unique skills knowledge and expertise to AFTRS and our future leaders and also learning from them.

    “It is so important that we (as First Nations people) tell our stories in our way through an Indigenous eye and through Indigenous perspectives, and that it is documented through Truth telling utilising the creative mediums of Film Art Dance Music Theatre and Technology” - Rhonda Dixon-Grovenor

    Dixon is a Cultural Storyteller.

    icon Job title:

    Elder in Residence

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    First Nations & Outreach

  • Link to Kerrod Meredith-Creed
    Kerrod Meredith-Creed

    Kerrod Meredith-Creed is a proud Pitta Pitta, Kalkadoon, Darumbal, Gunggarri, Bidjara and Bindal storyteller working across screen, audio and stage.

    Kerrod Meredith-Creed

    Kerrod Meredith-Creed is a proud Pitta Pitta, Kalkadoon, Darumbal, Gunggarri, Bidjara and Bindal storyteller working across screen, audio and stage.

    icon Job title:

    Community Pathways Officer

    icon Division:

    First Nations & Outreach