First Nations peoples have been the stewards of story, memory and knowledge of this continent for more than 65,000 years. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, “Fifty Years of Deadly”, celebrates the Elders and communities who keep culture and dreaming alive, share it with younger generations and into the public sphere.
In the spirit of NAIDOC Week, we look at how the On Country Pathways Program (OCPP) is shaping the journey of First Nations creatives who were part of the program. Supported through the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy, Revive, the OCPP was established by AFTRS to provide world-class training on Country to remote and regional communities, enabling accessible pathways into the screen and audio industries.
Following workshops in Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, OCPP brought some of the First Nations creatives from across Australia to Gadigal land (Sydney) in January this year. This final program combined cultural protocols with masterclasses from leading First Nations creatives with intensive workshops in screenwriting, podcasting and filmmaking, culminating in a showcase of works created during the week.
We spoke to three OCPP Gadigal participants – Merindi Schrieber (screenwriting), Tyrell Viti (podcasting) and Casey Meager (filmmaking) – about how the OCPP has shaped their creative practices. This story is one in a series of three, each focusing on a different participant’s experience.
Casey Meager: Creating change
Casey first joined the OCPP in Cairns through the radio and podcasting stream, with the purpose of developing content to support his work in mental health at the Kunjur First Nations Men’s Collective. Through this role, he engages with community members across different platforms, using storytelling as a tool for connection, support and awareness.
Podcasting presented a natural extension of this work. “Spread the word and spread positive messages and let the mob know that there is help out there,” he said. “But also to have a podcast where people can just listen to what it’s like to be like an ordinary Aboriginal man in Queensland.”
With a background in journalism from Deakin University, previous studies in radio in the Northern Territory, and video and music experience under his belt, Casey was not expecting OCPP to become so pivotal in his plans for future opportunities. That shift became clear when he travelled to Sydney for Gadigal Week in January, where he joined the filmmaking stream and directed a short film focused on mental health awareness.
“I used to always love film, and I was always a student of film. And seeing what all the amazing people down in Sydney do, made me realise that this could be a pathway that I could get into,” said Casey.
The short film directed by Casey at AFTRS Gadigal week brought together a crew to realise a strong vision, and the excitement was palpable when it was screened to everyone at the end of the week. A crew that had just met, with no prior filmmaking background, created a beautiful, moving story that resonated with the audience and demonstrated real chemistry and dedication.
The sense of connection developed quickly.“It felt like a family,” said Casey.
“I’ve never felt like that before because I’ve never been around a collective of people that are passionate about the same thing as I am. And it was liberating. It felt really good.”
That sense of belonging was central to Casey’s creative experience. “It’s important to feel safe and comfortable when you’re in a creative space,” he explained. “How are you going to come up with unique ideas and feel like you can direct or give people ideas if you don’t feel like you belong there? And it did feel like that down there. Immediately, I felt like I was with my family.”
Both in Cairns and then in Sydney, Casey said the OCPP created a space of inspiring connection for everyone. “It’s especially important because you do have people who are from all different skill levels and ages, but all working together. It’s kind of like a perfect, intricate puzzle that comes together and, with all the pieces, creates a beautiful masterpiece,” he said.
The fundamental impact of connection is something Casey also sees in his job back home.
“We get the men together, and they learn off each other, and it just naturally builds resilience. And getting yourself out of your comfort zone and going down to Sydney or coming to Cairns builds resilience,” he said.
Looking at the personal impact the OCPP had on him, Casey thinks the program should continue and “get bigger”.
“Have more time, more groups, more people,” he said.
“Because it’s changed my life, and in turn, it has changed my children’s lives”
Casey’s new filmmaking skills are now part of his daily work, creating content, reframing the world in new ways, spreading positive messages that can change lives, and helping expand the company’s reach.
Looking at the next “Fifty Years of Deadly”, Casey says, “It comes with changing hearts and minds, more creatives, in this space, for film, television, and more people in government as well. We need to train our people up and be able to take those roles and do it at a level that will be respected and that we will be proud of.”
“We’ve got such a beautiful, rich heritage and culture. It’s something that all Australians should be part of.”
