May 20, 2025 • 34 mins
In this powerful and heartfelt Best Of episode, we revisit our yarn with Narelda Jacobs – a proud Whadjuk Noongar woman, seasoned journalist, and trailblazer in Australian media. Narelda opens up about her childhood in a proud Black household in Perth, the strength she draws from her community, and the journey from local newsreader to national presence on Channel Ten and NITV’s The Point.
Together, Narelda and Mundanara dive into what it means to carry lived experience into white-dominated spaces, the importance of Black voices in journalism, and the deep emotional impact of telling stories that matter. From stories of joy and dancing in tracksuits to emotional reflections on the Voice to Parliament, this conversation is filled with warmth, resilience, and inspiration.
Recommendations throughout this episode:
https://10play.com.au/studio-10/hosts/2023/narelda-jacobs/pa200520kpear
Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au
Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast
The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.
If you enjoyed this episode, please ‘Subscribe’ on Apple Podcasts or ‘Follow’ on your Spotify app and tell your friends and family about us! If you’d like to contact us, please email, info@blackmagicwoman.com.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Black Magic Women Podcast acknowledges the traditional owners of the
land we have recorded this episode on. We also acknowledge
traditional owners of the land where you, the listener of
youer are tuning in from.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
We would like to pay our respects to our.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Elders past and present and acknowledged that this always was
Aboriginal land and always will be Aboriginal land. Welcome to
the Black Magic Woman Podcast with Mandanara Bales. Welcome back
to another episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast. I
(00:37):
am here on the beautiful lands of the Gadiger peoples
in Sydney, which is quite special to me and I've
shared this often on the podcast whenever I'm recording here
in Sydney, that there's this kind of long history where
my family have been here in Redfern, which is Gadigog Country,
(00:59):
since the eighteen forties. So whenever I'm here, I feel
like I'm home. Even though I live with my family
on Kabby Kabby Country up in Queensland, I still don't
identify as a Queenslander.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
People should know that.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So today I am joined here on the couch here
at Darling Harbor with a beautiful sister, Norelda Jacobs. So
can I just say or even arks, if you don't
mind introducing yourself, just to share with our listeners and
also our viewers on YouTube, tell us a bit about yourself.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I actually just.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Was online with Bank West mob delivering training and I said,
you not going to believe who I've got coming up
on my podcast? I said, shelf Hants, who has heard
of Nearalda Jacobs and all.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Of these hands went well, as a West Australian company,
There you go, it's Bank West, Bank West.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
So for those for people that don't know you don't
know your story, do you want to.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Share with us?
Speaker 4 (01:59):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (02:00):
But well, first of all, thank you Mondon Nara. I've
been waiting for my call up for this podcast, that's right,
So I'm so happy that this has happened.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
I'm from Borloo, Perth born and.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Bred, West Australian. My dad is Wagajnga. He sadly passed
away five years ago.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
My mum is British.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
She's Northern Irish and she came out with her parents
from from Northern Ireland when she was about eight or nine.
Around the same time, my dad was stolen from his
family and placed in a mission mcgumber Mission they met
as young adults, fell in love. My mum was starting
(02:43):
a young art church, had started a young art church actually,
so she was kind of carrying. Her parents are missionaries.
They came out here to because they were missionaries.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
She was exposed to am yes at a younger age. Yes,
which is interesting.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
Yes, it is interesting.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
How they view us and they're interactions with us.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Yes, she's a fiercely determined person. She has very she
has very strong convictions about justice. And I was going
to say equality, but not all the way equality which
we might get to a bit later.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Black man racial equality early days and what they would
have ensured.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Yeah. Yeah, so then they fell in love. My mum
was a pastor of a church. My dad became a Christian,
went to the church. They you know, I fell in
love with the pastor. They get married, have five children.
I'm the youngest of five girls daughters, no brothers.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
I did not know that about that.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Yeah, so being the baby, I don't know where do
you sit.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
I'm in the middle where Yerika always says she's in
the middle, because that's five older than me and three youngest,
so she's technically the middle. But I still, you know,
I feel like I was the middle charm because I
was the one that kind of knowe knew where I was.
The oldest is always doing everything, The youngest is always
getting away with everything.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
In the middle change nowhere to be seen. Oh it's
easy to get up to mischief.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Yeah. Right, so it's true what they say about the
middle the baby And what was the baby in your family?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Showered with love?
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Definitely?
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Yeah, so that's my story.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
I've been surrounding the baby, right, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
And so I had a very loving upbringing. Everyone was
always looking after me.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Lots of hugs and you know, lots of you know,
physical affection and kisses on my cheeks, and there was
always there was always someone being loving towards me. It
was it was a really beautiful way to grow up. Actually,
So you know, I have a lot of love to give.
Maybe as a result, I don't know. And so yeah,
I have, I've quite a positive outlook on life.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Actually.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So you grew up been like basically a black household, right,
And when I took about black house salts, because not
everybody that's Aboriginal has had that experience to grow up
in a black house hung Yeah, and that we talk
about black love and black joy, but that love I
remember as a kid as well, but also thinking about
(05:12):
babies that you never let a baby cry. You're always going,
who's got that baby? Don't let the baby cry. I
picked the baby up, So that kind of yeah, looking
after loving even when you're little, you've got a baby
on your hip. Yes, so yeah, yes, absolutely mean on
the hip with four big sisters.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Always, always and we My dad was involved in the
aberageal politics and so he he would go away to
Camber quite a lot.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
And they were very good with money, my parents.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
So they bought a house in suburb in suburban Perth,
which I thought was.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
A really nice part of town, you know, but it.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Was it was just kind of on the outer suburbs.
Like when I go past it now, I'm like, oh,
I thought this was as amazing, you know. Yeah, and
but it was very it was quite a multicultural area,
uh the but it was very white. It was a
very white suburb. And we had a shield with a
(06:13):
spear for our letter box. So when you say black household,
like that's that was what people were greeted when to
come to our home.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
It was right.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
We were so proud, but you.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Know, even thinking back now, like you know today, me
living on the Sunny coast, I won't even put an
aboriginal flag sticker on my cart having back in the
Dane Perth, having that letter box, living in a white neighborhood,
did you experience much kind of you know racism being
(06:45):
in a blended not not not a blended family. What
you said, yeah, you've got a white mum and a
black dad.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Well we mixed a mixed.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
I think I was protected from it because I don't
have a memory of I don't have a lot of
memories of things like that happening. Yeah, which is like, yeah,
I mean I was called names at private school because
it was a white you know primary school. We were
the only black fellows in the in the school. There
was one other aboriginal girl in the school actually in
my year, and that was that we were the only
(07:15):
black fellows in the whole school. And so there, you know,
there were there were incidents, but we were fiercely proud
of our aboriginality. You know, my dad, I would you
know how you tell news at school? At primary school,
that was like my favorite thing to do is tell news.
And once a year I would bring my dad in
to as the news as like this is my dad,
(07:35):
he is younger, yeah, and he could play the didgeridoo. Yeah,
and this is a banksherflower and this is a this
is a boomerang.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
And so he would and he would just come and
every year.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
But he was your show in town.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Here was my show and tell.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
But the thing, the thing that makes me last laugh
now is that you know, during primary school you do
each year with the same kids. So they got it
again and again and again and again and again, threw
out from year one to GISs of it, and he
always turned up, always turned up.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Yeah, he was great.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
And even now with my own daughter going through primary school,
he would also turn up for her, which is just
such a beautiful thing that Jade has those memories of
pop being at her school assembly doing the welcomes, painting
children's faces like it is. It's a really beautiful thing,
like to have seen that through the eyes of a mother,
(08:27):
that there's a you know that my dad was able
to do it for his grandchild and his grandchildren.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
It was that's gorgeous.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
I was going to say in terms of like with schooling,
did you finish year twelve? Because other an eight sisters
and my older sister Elaine finished high school, and then
there's four that didn't.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Then there's me and then the three under been and
why did it? But and our kid did. So I
remember my dad saying to me.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Out of because my mom and dad had five daughters together,
and he said in a if you finish your twelve,
I'll take you anywhere in the world. The only reason
why I graduated really where did you go?
Speaker 2 (09:08):
I went to Fiji? Wasn't that far away? Have I
married to Fiji? And I got to Fiji?
Speaker 4 (09:17):
That's awesome?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Spain, I couldn't. I relieved. I could have went to anywhere.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
I could have went to New York, which I still
haven't been to. But no, I was like Fiji. All
the photos of the islands in paradise, and I'm like,
that's why I want to go.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
It was the first and only holiday with my dad.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
You know, eight sisters all growing up in a three
bedroom house.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
So yeah, we're quite lucky.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
So I ended up finished time school because Dad said
I'll take you anywhere around the world. So I was wondering,
did you end up finishing high school?
Speaker 4 (09:51):
I did finish high school.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Yes, that was that was instilled in us to finish
school and then.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
To go to university.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
It was there were the steps, you know, you did
the steps. You went to school, you went to university
or some kind of tertiary education red, yeah, some kind
of high red. And then you you know you My
parents were I did say that they were good with money.
So they were property buyers, you know, so they saw
the value in buying land and buying their house and
not renting it and all those sorts of things. So
(10:20):
it was like, yeah, finish school, go to tertiary, get
a job, and buy a house.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
Yeah, and then the rest is well, you.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Know whatever, you know.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Yeah, so did you know because most people will know
your face from Channel ten being on TV. Yeah, and
for black fellows, we would say that Naralda was one
of the first blackfaces that we get to see.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
On mainstream hues.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Like I can turn the TV on the morning and
there's a black woman looking at me and usually dressed in.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
Ooriginal Yeah, I try to.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Yes, yes, So there's the fact that you represent, you know,
on TV as a black woman. But also with all
of the I've got to do better, right Mimi and Ginder?
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Oh yeah right?
Speaker 1 (11:11):
You when I saw that on you on TV Mara.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Mara is like a newsreader's staple, blackfellow newsreaders staple or
TV presenter. Interesting you say that, Mondonara, because I got
my first job at Channel teen in the year two
thousand in Perth, and so I moved to Sydney in.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
Twenty twenty and.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
I'd already had this huge career as being a news anchor,
a journo on the road, a reporter and then reading
the Perth News for twelve years before I even moved
to Sydney. And so I moved to Sydney and I
felt like I had to start from scratch.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
So it's only been in the last three years.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
That people have that I've been able to go, hey
everyone here I am.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
You know, I've got quite a bit of a year years, yes.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Yeah, in the media industry, yeah wow, yeah, but only
the last three on a national level. Yeah, on a
national scale. And also even though I have been with
Channel ten for twenty three.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Years, which I didn't know that a lot.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Of people recognized from NI TV.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
From the point.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Yeah, yes, brother boy John Paul JP always everyone knows
jump on JANKI Yeah, on the point.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
So most people recognize you from the point on the point.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Wow, it's It's fantastic, and especially this year, a lot
of people are tuning into the referendum road trip.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Yes, how is that?
Speaker 3 (12:38):
It's been really good as JP has done some calculations.
We've done over thirty six thousand kilometers.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Are you serious?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Yeah, recording traveling, Yeah, recording episodes in every state and
territory we have. This year, we've spoken to to blackfellows
from you know, grassroots community members who are rolling out programs,
to journos, to senators, to company bosses, to tour operators,
(13:06):
you know, execs at the AFL, tenure Hosh Sally Scales,
artists like there's there's so many people, people involved in
cultural heritage, people involved in injustice, in youth, all manner
of things. We've spoken to them this year while we've
while we've been trying to cover the referendum and allowing
(13:27):
people to tell their stories and share their issues.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
I was going to say, how important is it, How
important is it for us to have our own media
to tell our stories and to go to our communities
where people recognize your face so then they're more likely
than to actually engage, want to be on camera.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
How's it like? Tell me, can you share with this.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Some of the people that you've met in terms of
some of the stories that you've heard. Is there anyone
I'm sure that they've all.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
You know, I've learned so much. When we're in Rockhampton,
Uncle Mick Gooder was there and.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
As a gungaloo man from the Dawson River, which is
the river that my dad used to take us back
to so big shant a to Uncle McK here was
my first ever guest.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Oh wow, magic, awesome, Uncle Mick.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
You know, that was a really great conversation.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
We talked about native title in that place and a
recent court decision. We talked about intergenerational trauma being a
medical condition like playing out medically and he he got really.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Choked up in that in that episode.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
And you know when you see our elders become emotionally
when they talk about MOB and outcomes for mob, it's
a really you know that we're really striking a nerve
here and if this is something that everyone needs to hear.
And the same thing when we went to Tandania, Adelaide,
(14:58):
Uncle Charlie Jackson also became very emotional, you know, talking
about children, talking about our future, and so we're having
these really deeply personal conversations. But the best thing about
inn ITV is that they do the community engagement exceptionally well.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
Before we've even recorded.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
They've been there for days, meeting with the elders and
making sure that all the protocols have been observed and
we have the permission to be there before we even
start rolling.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
And that's the most important thing, right is you know,
you don't just turn up. I think this is really good,
especially for non Indigenous Australians. It could work in an
organization that has a reconciliation action plan and you've got
community engagement as part of one of your deliverables. And
a lot of people always say to me, so deliver training.
How do we know who the community are? How do
(15:50):
we know who the elders are?
Speaker 2 (15:52):
How do we know who.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Are the rightful people? Treasure owners? Who are authority? You
know who's the boss for this country?
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Where do we go?
Speaker 3 (16:01):
That is so important. That's a starting point, the start,
that's where you start.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Yes, and all this ground work is done yes for
you and JP just turn up with a camera crew
and start filming.
Speaker 3 (16:12):
Yes, and the right people need to be contributors. And
if there's not a space, if there's not space on
the panel, they need to contribute in some way.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
And you need to be able to have the time.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
You know what that's like. You need to have the
time to sit.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Don't just think you're turning up for your two hours
to get your one minute episode.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
So I'm going to say this to everyone.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
I fear like you and I have known each other
for years because I mean following you and you yeah,
and then we just message each other every now and
again and just check in and say hello.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
But your beautiful videos with Creamer.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
The track is so I literally love a Nike track.
If he doesn't like it, tracksuit pants, right, I even
have tns and my kids right, don't like been seen
in public with me when I've got my tans on. Anyhow,
you and Karina with your track, he's doing your little
dance on Instagram. I just I wish my husband well
(17:17):
come on and have some fun with me, but he won't.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
He does not want to be seen.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
You need a willing participant. It's hard to make the
magic when it's just you.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
How you as Karina.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
A willing participant loves yes doesn't mine.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
The tracks of me. This is kind of that was
just last time I figured out.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Because one knows Karina because she's always on Instagram with Nuala.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Look, it was the cold weather was back and so
this is our last chance to make the most of
our track suits. So we're like, come on, let's just
be DAGs listeners to be idiots last Street.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
But it's one.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Way where people can start to see you and connect
with you, but just see you as a normal person.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Well it's because I I I'm got my makeup on
my TV makeup on now because you know this, but
also I do have something else tonight which I'll be
on stage and presenting, so I wanted to keep my
makeup on.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
But I do.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
I have makeup every day for work for TV. But
as soon as I don't need it, I take it
off straight away because that's that's not who I am,
and so I want people to see who.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
I really am.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
You know, there's a there's a work persona but also
then there's there's the silly me at home, and you know,
I would like to think that I am I am
the same person in that range. I'm the same person,
but just one has makeup and one doesn't, you know,
so I can still be serious and.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Yeah, my corporate professional.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
Yeah, and if I can dance at the news desk,
can be silly at the news desk, I would, But
we're dealing with serious issues, so I can't, you know,
But when I when, But when it's happy and when
it's not so serious, oh, I know, I get quite loose.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
I love it, and.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
I just want to before I leave. You know, we're
gonna wrap up some but you know, there's a lot
of our mob and they're you know, now their journalists,
their doctors, their lawyers. We've got so many graduates across
all different disciplines and university. But for you, as a
Aboriginal woman in media, in mainstream media, can you share
(19:22):
with you know, some of our mob that may be
starting a career in media or in journalism, just some
of the Is there some advices, any tips that you
would give them, especially knowing that they're going to be
in a space where they may be the only person
or person of color, even right.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
You have to be really passionate for telling stories, for
allowing other people to tell their stories. When you're starting
out in journalism, there is no ego in journalism, because
you're telling other people's stories.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
You are you, you are the vehicle ye And so.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
When I was starting out, I was told, it's not
about you, it's not about you. And even when I
was reading the news, you know, I was told, you're
one of many, like and I think it was to
not create a monster, you know, like like someone with
a big ego who thought that the success of things
was all down to them. You're one of a team.
(20:24):
So there's an element.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Of that that that brings true.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
But also I love to see people's personalities come through
in their stories, and I love to see their lens
applied to the stories because for so long, stories have
been told by a type of person and they're not us,
you know, they're so far from who we are, and
we still see it reflected in the news that's covered now.
(20:50):
You know, when when you know incidents of crime happen,
it's seen through a certain lens, or when we're talking
about children in custody, it's seen through a certain lens.
When we see people who are tasered, you know, why
would we care about someone who's tasted and then not
somebody else who's tasted you know, so the lenses are
applied whether we like it or not. So we should
(21:14):
be black fellows as journo's we need to start telling
the stories to be in there and tell the stories
and apply our lens to the story that's.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
So important for our mom to take up these spaces. Yes,
as journalists as well, to be able to communicate from
a black lens or from our perspective, especially when it's
part of our lived experience.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Totally, because lived experience trumps everything else, everything else lived experience.
I mean, Canberra Parliament House would be a different place
if everybody was there based on their lived experience and
who have that lived experience to be able to help
the rest of the country in creating the policy that
(21:56):
can help the rest of the country.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
It would lived experience. It trumps everything else. I can't.
I can't say it any any other way.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
So when you apply your lived experience to everything, then
it's always going to be from a very authentic place
of course.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Yeah, say you're going to get the best of the
best ye and apply that.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Yeah, because that's what people are looking for. That's what
the Voice to Parliament is all about, is it's about
what is your lived experience like and how can we
improve outcomes for every for everyone, for all of us
all more.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
I don't know if you're getting a lot when you're
just in terms of the Voice to Parliament? Are you
finding any online even with your own kind of socials?
Are you finding a lot of negativity? And if you are,
I would love for you to share how are you
looking at yourself?
Speaker 4 (22:41):
I I you know, I get my fair share of trolling.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
But I'm in a very unique position because I am
a presenter on TV and I have to be impartial
and I have to ask the questions. So for that reason,
I can't put forward my position. I can't take stance
on the Boys to Parliament. I'm not telling people to
vote yes or to vote no. Therefore no one is
(23:06):
actually coming after me.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
It's this really interesting. It's a really position you know
that people they're.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
Still coming after me because as much as I try
to be impartial, you still you still cop it.
Speaker 4 (23:21):
Yeah, you still cop it.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
So yeah, I'm a I'm in quite a quite a
unique position where I have a platform to be able
to share information and ask the questions that need to
be asked and.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
People to then make an informed decision and.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
Fact check on the run, you know, which which is
really important to be able to fact check people when
they've got it wrong, of course.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
But I want to end with this, especially you know
what's going on in this country right now, which we
do know that the referendum is coming up. What's some
kind of advice you'd give, especially our mob.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
In terms of looking after themselves.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
I know that I seen Akida Ridgeway on LinkedIn recently,
just you know, promoting one three yarn. Yes, high rates
of online trolls and what would you say a lot
of our moms that are listening or watching.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
This, you will be very pleased to know that your
voice and Stan's voice came at a very important time
for me.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
So I was on a.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
Plane and this was it was actually months after you
had your yarn with Stan dropped on this podcast, and
I was on a plane and I I really needed
to hear everything that you need that you had to say.
So and the thing that cut through the most and
gave me most comfort was the question that you asked
to stand and he said, it is hard. It is
(24:46):
hard at the moment, and hearing that validation affirmed how
I was feeling and that it was okay to feel
like what I was going through was a struggle because
you know, and he was speaking directly to first Asians journals.
I don't know who were you thinking of when you
asked him at that question, what's your advice to other
(25:07):
first stations journos in newsrooms and they might be the
only one?
Speaker 4 (25:11):
And he said, just know that it is hard. And
I was like, oh, how does he know?
Speaker 2 (25:16):
How do you know?
Speaker 4 (25:18):
I was looking at that flying going, oh my goodness
talking to me, That's what it felt like.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
And so you have to find those moments. Listen to podcasts.
There's so many podcasts out there that could be a comfort.
There's information out there. Last night Karina told me don't
look at Twitter before you go to sleep, because I
was looking at Twitter or X.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
I was looking and she was like, put it down.
Put the phone down, so that I cleaned my head.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
I don't have Facebook or my personal Instagram or Twitter
on my phone, so obviously don't I don't have it.
I'm like, oh wow, So my advice to look after
my own mental health and to be present with my
kids and not let all of this outside noise consume me.
(26:12):
I get asked about the voice. Every minute of the day,
I deliver training culture, capital of training. Well, every question
is what's my stance and I always said same as you.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
What Monday can do in an hour will change an
organization's trajectory. Let me just say that I've seen you
in action, Mandadar.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
It's incredible surrenders on the first Nations Advisory for Football
Australia in Australia, and we got to watch a game
the Materialities, which was amazing. And then I saw you
at the book festival down here Taylor read and stand
Yes spoke, which was unbelievable, and then got to hang
out at the pub down here and just have a
(26:50):
feed yep.
Speaker 3 (26:51):
So I think all of those moments look and something
that sayd says a lot is that when he needs
it the most, the answer is we all put someone
in front of him, like you or like Tila walking
down their beach. You know, because they both.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Had dinner with Tila last night.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
Wow, oh I saw.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
So he reached out to me and said can we
have a yarn? I'm like, oh my god, and I
would love to have a yan with you.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
And then the other day like Karina and I are
at Spice Alli, like a food area, and it was
a weird time of the day. It was like five
o'clock in the afternoon, four o'clock in the afternoon, and
Amy Tunic was there with Amy's husband Luke, and I
hadn't seen them for ages.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
You know.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
So we sat tit together and eat and have a
great yarn and we cau that they are random people
that you bump into, that the ancestors know that you
need to see them in that moment, you know, So
you have to be open to seeing those things. Like
when that happens, you can easily walk past the person. Yeah,
but it's happened for a reason, you know.
Speaker 4 (27:55):
Just let it, let it breathe.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
I know. I literally I remember when I run into
at the park because I thought I was going to
see you at the book thing and I end up
giving your T shirt to someone, your.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Black Magical my T shirt.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
And I said to them, by the way, this was
from Norelda Jacobs and like, oh my god, you're.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Giving it to me.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
And I was like, yes, it's all good. I'll see
Narrelda again and I'll hook her up. And they could
not believe T shirt. So remind me. I'm going to
send you a tea so you can represent. But I
just want to say, finally we're able to jump on
here and have this yarn. If there's anything that you
want to share with anyone, doesn't have to be about
(28:36):
the referendum, could be about the work that you're doing.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
Is there anything in the pipeline? Is anything that you
want to share with us? So you haven't? Ah, can
they hear it here? Well? Black Magic Woman?
Speaker 3 (28:46):
Oh gosh, I mean there's always things. You'll be the
first to actually Instagram will be the first and I no,
there's so much going on.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
But.
Speaker 4 (28:58):
I think it's just really important.
Speaker 3 (29:00):
And you know, moving from Perth to Sydney was quite
a big move, you know, going into the unknown. Leaving
an amazing job as the newsreader for a capital city
Perth and then moving into the unknown was huge. But
it was a willingness to kind of step outside your
comfort zone. And then from that then it was just
(29:21):
saying yes to things and yes to things and meeting
people and making friends and making friends with you and
locking Teala down and making friends with Tila.
Speaker 4 (29:30):
You know that's hard to crack, mind, you know.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
She reached out to me and I told her last sight,
I said, thank you for being generous. At that time,
I'm like, Taylor, I can believe you text me, I'm
thank you for being generous with you.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
Yeah, but it's just saying yes to things and being
open to things. If you're open to things, then new
experiences will happen, and then that experience lead to the
next opportunity and then a bigger thing and a bigger thing,
and then before you know it, you have this incredible
network of people of movers and shakers, people who are
changing the world, you know, and then you are in
(30:05):
the right place to be able to use your influence,
to be able to influence everybody around you, you know.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
So that is powerful. It's really powerful.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
But it starts with a single step.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
I mean, I know how cliche that that is, but
it does start with a single step. And we all
have the confidence on the inside to change the world.
We just need to take that step and to say
yes and be open to things and make connections with
people like you who you can mentor of course you know,
and I think especially for us as black women, that
(30:37):
you know, there's not a lot of young people, you know, in.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Our communities that have those role models that they can
look up to you. Some are living in remote communities,
some are still you know, some are here in Redfern,
And I know a lot of my nephews and nieces
like to see their mom and dads go to work
or studying like it's.
Speaker 2 (30:55):
A big deal.
Speaker 1 (30:56):
But for a lot of non actual fans, it's normal.
And so just to be that kind of person that
they look up.
Speaker 3 (31:02):
To and find someone who has faith in you, because
we don't always have faith in ourselves and we don't
often step up to opportunities.
Speaker 4 (31:09):
We have to be pushed.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
And I was one of those people who had to
be pushed into opportunities because of people along the way
who've had faith in me.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
So look where you want to thank you killing it
and I'll tell you now, especially for my daughter Tiger
Lily and my big girl. There's Kasaiah as well. But
for Tiger Lily to see you on the news living
in a very white neighborhood, you know, you can't be
what you can't see.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
And she wants to be on TV. Right.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
She's someone that is really proud of her culture and
she's like you, she wants me to go and tell
the class and tell the kids about being a Murray.
Speaker 2 (31:51):
Tell the well. And I've done it with all of
my kids.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
But yeah, you brought back some memories that I know,
and I probably didn't think at the time meant a
lot to my kids until you started talking about it.
I started thinking about my kids, and I spent four
days with them, So I'm not getting emotional.
Speaker 2 (32:10):
I spent four days with them here in Sydney.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
But I just want to say, you know everything that
you do and for how you you know you are,
what you get is what you see, and you are real.
And for some of us, some of us might think
that we need to be one person in the western
world of white color world, and then we need to
be our true selves in our communities. We don't have
(32:33):
to know we're walking in these two worlds, but we
can still be who we are in both of those spaces.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Totally.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
I think that's what I want my kids to grow up.
I want them to realize that they don't need to
change who they are because they're the only black kids
in their school and they don't need to be anything
but themselves.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
But that's hard, right.
Speaker 3 (32:52):
It's very hard, and we can't afford to because our
entire community rely on that, depend on that. Otherwise we
would just be the statisic we if we fit in
and if we compromised ourselves too much and we compromise
our culture. We can't compromise. No, we can be in
the rooms to change it. That for some people is
a compromise, but that's where it ends.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
Yeah, look, I just want to keep you here or Dad,
but I know you've got somewhere else to go. I
just want to say thank you for all of the videos,
the laughs, keep sharing them, but yeah, I can't wait
to catch up again and just have a yeah, have
a feed with you here in Sydney.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
So thanks for stopping in here.
Speaker 4 (33:34):
Am I now a black magic woman?
Speaker 1 (33:35):
You are a black magic Woman's certified, But thank you
for being you and I know that there's a lot
of us that look up to you, So thank you
for this an absolute inspirations.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
Wanda, thank you, and the same to you. This podcast
brings a lot of comfort to a lot of people.
Speaker 2 (33:51):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
I literally could not believe they've finally got Narrelda on
this podcast and not virtually were in the same place
at the same time. I was able to make it happen.
I really do hope that you've enjoyed this episode.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
Until next time, by for now.
Speaker 1 (34:10):
If you'd like any more info on today's guest, please
visit our show notes in the episode description. A big
shout out to all you Deadly Mob and allies who
continue to listen, watch, and support our podcast. Your feedback
means the world. You can rate and review the podcast
on Apple and Spotify, or even head to our socials
(34:31):
and YouTube channel and drop us a line.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
We'd love to hear from you.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
The Black Magic Woman podcast is produced by Clint Curtis
Black Magic Women Podcast acknowledges the traditional owners of the
land we have recorded this episode on. We also acknowledge
traditional owners of the land where you, the listener of
youer are tuning in from.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
We would like to pay our respects to our.
Speaker 1 (00:14):
Elders past and present and acknowledged that this always was
Aboriginal land and always will be Aboriginal land. Welcome to
the Black Magic Woman Podcast with Mandanara Bales. Welcome back
to another episode of the Black Magic Woman Podcast. I
(00:37):
am here on the beautiful lands of the Gadiger peoples
in Sydney, which is quite special to me and I've
shared this often on the podcast whenever I'm recording here
in Sydney, that there's this kind of long history where
my family have been here in Redfern, which is Gadigog Country,
(00:59):
since the eighteen forties. So whenever I'm here, I feel
like I'm home. Even though I live with my family
on Kabby Kabby Country up in Queensland, I still don't
identify as a Queenslander.
Speaker 2 (01:13):
People should know that.
Speaker 1 (01:15):
So today I am joined here on the couch here
at Darling Harbor with a beautiful sister, Norelda Jacobs. So
can I just say or even arks, if you don't
mind introducing yourself, just to share with our listeners and
also our viewers on YouTube, tell us a bit about yourself.
Speaker 2 (01:33):
I actually just.
Speaker 1 (01:34):
Was online with Bank West mob delivering training and I said,
you not going to believe who I've got coming up
on my podcast? I said, shelf Hants, who has heard
of Nearalda Jacobs and all.
Speaker 3 (01:46):
Of these hands went well, as a West Australian company,
There you go, it's Bank West, Bank West.
Speaker 1 (01:52):
So for those for people that don't know you don't
know your story, do you want to.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Share with us?
Speaker 4 (01:59):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (02:00):
But well, first of all, thank you Mondon Nara. I've
been waiting for my call up for this podcast, that's right,
So I'm so happy that this has happened.
Speaker 4 (02:11):
I'm from Borloo, Perth born and.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Bred, West Australian. My dad is Wagajnga. He sadly passed
away five years ago.
Speaker 4 (02:20):
My mum is British.
Speaker 3 (02:22):
She's Northern Irish and she came out with her parents
from from Northern Ireland when she was about eight or nine.
Around the same time, my dad was stolen from his
family and placed in a mission mcgumber Mission they met
as young adults, fell in love. My mum was starting
(02:43):
a young art church, had started a young art church actually,
so she was kind of carrying. Her parents are missionaries.
They came out here to because they were missionaries.
Speaker 2 (02:51):
She was exposed to am yes at a younger age. Yes,
which is interesting.
Speaker 4 (02:57):
Yes, it is interesting.
Speaker 2 (02:58):
How they view us and they're interactions with us.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
Yes, she's a fiercely determined person. She has very she
has very strong convictions about justice. And I was going
to say equality, but not all the way equality which
we might get to a bit later.
Speaker 1 (03:19):
Black man racial equality early days and what they would
have ensured.
Speaker 3 (03:25):
Yeah. Yeah, so then they fell in love. My mum
was a pastor of a church. My dad became a Christian,
went to the church. They you know, I fell in
love with the pastor. They get married, have five children.
I'm the youngest of five girls daughters, no brothers.
Speaker 2 (03:42):
I did not know that about that.
Speaker 4 (03:43):
Yeah, so being the baby, I don't know where do
you sit.
Speaker 1 (03:45):
I'm in the middle where Yerika always says she's in
the middle, because that's five older than me and three youngest,
so she's technically the middle. But I still, you know,
I feel like I was the middle charm because I
was the one that kind of knowe knew where I was.
The oldest is always doing everything, The youngest is always
getting away with everything.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
In the middle change nowhere to be seen. Oh it's
easy to get up to mischief.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
Yeah. Right, so it's true what they say about the
middle the baby And what was the baby in your family?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Showered with love?
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Definitely?
Speaker 4 (04:13):
Yeah, so that's my story.
Speaker 3 (04:15):
I've been surrounding the baby, right, Yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:20):
And so I had a very loving upbringing. Everyone was
always looking after me.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
Lots of hugs and you know, lots of you know,
physical affection and kisses on my cheeks, and there was
always there was always someone being loving towards me. It
was it was a really beautiful way to grow up. Actually,
So you know, I have a lot of love to give.
Maybe as a result, I don't know. And so yeah,
I have, I've quite a positive outlook on life.
Speaker 4 (04:48):
Actually.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
So you grew up been like basically a black household, right,
And when I took about black house salts, because not
everybody that's Aboriginal has had that experience to grow up
in a black house hung Yeah, and that we talk
about black love and black joy, but that love I
remember as a kid as well, but also thinking about
(05:12):
babies that you never let a baby cry. You're always going,
who's got that baby? Don't let the baby cry. I
picked the baby up, So that kind of yeah, looking
after loving even when you're little, you've got a baby
on your hip. Yes, so yeah, yes, absolutely mean on
the hip with four big sisters.
Speaker 3 (05:32):
Always, always and we My dad was involved in the
aberageal politics and so he he would go away to
Camber quite a lot.
Speaker 4 (05:41):
And they were very good with money, my parents.
Speaker 3 (05:44):
So they bought a house in suburb in suburban Perth,
which I thought was.
Speaker 4 (05:50):
A really nice part of town, you know, but it.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
Was it was just kind of on the outer suburbs.
Like when I go past it now, I'm like, oh,
I thought this was as amazing, you know. Yeah, and
but it was very it was quite a multicultural area,
uh the but it was very white. It was a
very white suburb. And we had a shield with a
(06:13):
spear for our letter box. So when you say black household,
like that's that was what people were greeted when to
come to our home.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
It was right.
Speaker 4 (06:23):
We were so proud, but you.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Know, even thinking back now, like you know today, me
living on the Sunny coast, I won't even put an
aboriginal flag sticker on my cart having back in the
Dane Perth, having that letter box, living in a white neighborhood,
did you experience much kind of you know racism being
(06:45):
in a blended not not not a blended family. What
you said, yeah, you've got a white mum and a
black dad.
Speaker 4 (06:52):
Well we mixed a mixed.
Speaker 3 (06:54):
I think I was protected from it because I don't
have a memory of I don't have a lot of
memories of things like that happening. Yeah, which is like, yeah,
I mean I was called names at private school because
it was a white you know primary school. We were
the only black fellows in the in the school. There
was one other aboriginal girl in the school actually in
my year, and that was that we were the only
(07:15):
black fellows in the whole school. And so there, you know,
there were there were incidents, but we were fiercely proud
of our aboriginality. You know, my dad, I would you
know how you tell news at school? At primary school,
that was like my favorite thing to do is tell news.
And once a year I would bring my dad in
to as the news as like this is my dad,
(07:35):
he is younger, yeah, and he could play the didgeridoo. Yeah,
and this is a banksherflower and this is a this
is a boomerang.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
And so he would and he would just come and
every year.
Speaker 2 (07:48):
But he was your show in town.
Speaker 4 (07:50):
Here was my show and tell.
Speaker 3 (07:51):
But the thing, the thing that makes me last laugh
now is that you know, during primary school you do
each year with the same kids. So they got it
again and again and again and again and again, threw
out from year one to GISs of it, and he
always turned up, always turned up.
Speaker 4 (08:05):
Yeah, he was great.
Speaker 3 (08:06):
And even now with my own daughter going through primary school,
he would also turn up for her, which is just
such a beautiful thing that Jade has those memories of
pop being at her school assembly doing the welcomes, painting
children's faces like it is. It's a really beautiful thing,
like to have seen that through the eyes of a mother,
(08:27):
that there's a you know that my dad was able
to do it for his grandchild and his grandchildren.
Speaker 4 (08:32):
It was that's gorgeous.
Speaker 1 (08:33):
I was going to say in terms of like with schooling,
did you finish year twelve? Because other an eight sisters
and my older sister Elaine finished high school, and then
there's four that didn't.
Speaker 2 (08:45):
Then there's me and then the three under been and
why did it? But and our kid did. So I
remember my dad saying to me.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
Out of because my mom and dad had five daughters together,
and he said in a if you finish your twelve,
I'll take you anywhere in the world. The only reason
why I graduated really where did you go?
Speaker 2 (09:08):
I went to Fiji? Wasn't that far away? Have I
married to Fiji? And I got to Fiji?
Speaker 4 (09:17):
That's awesome?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
Spain, I couldn't. I relieved. I could have went to anywhere.
Speaker 1 (09:26):
I could have went to New York, which I still
haven't been to. But no, I was like Fiji. All
the photos of the islands in paradise, and I'm like,
that's why I want to go.
Speaker 2 (09:35):
It was the first and only holiday with my dad.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
You know, eight sisters all growing up in a three
bedroom house.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
So yeah, we're quite lucky.
Speaker 1 (09:45):
So I ended up finished time school because Dad said
I'll take you anywhere around the world. So I was wondering,
did you end up finishing high school?
Speaker 4 (09:51):
I did finish high school.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
Yes, that was that was instilled in us to finish
school and then.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
To go to university.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
It was there were the steps, you know, you did
the steps. You went to school, you went to university
or some kind of tertiary education red, yeah, some kind
of high red. And then you you know you My
parents were I did say that they were good with money.
So they were property buyers, you know, so they saw
the value in buying land and buying their house and
not renting it and all those sorts of things. So
(10:20):
it was like, yeah, finish school, go to tertiary, get
a job, and buy a house.
Speaker 2 (10:25):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
Yeah, and then the rest is well, you.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
Know whatever, you know.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Yeah, so did you know because most people will know
your face from Channel ten being on TV. Yeah, and
for black fellows, we would say that Naralda was one
of the first blackfaces that we get to see.
Speaker 2 (10:45):
On mainstream hues.
Speaker 1 (10:47):
Like I can turn the TV on the morning and
there's a black woman looking at me and usually dressed in.
Speaker 4 (10:54):
Ooriginal Yeah, I try to.
Speaker 1 (10:55):
Yes, yes, So there's the fact that you represent, you know,
on TV as a black woman. But also with all
of the I've got to do better, right Mimi and Ginder?
Speaker 4 (11:10):
Oh yeah right?
Speaker 1 (11:11):
You when I saw that on you on TV Mara.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Mara is like a newsreader's staple, blackfellow newsreaders staple or
TV presenter. Interesting you say that, Mondonara, because I got
my first job at Channel teen in the year two
thousand in Perth, and so I moved to Sydney in.
Speaker 4 (11:29):
Twenty twenty and.
Speaker 3 (11:32):
I'd already had this huge career as being a news anchor,
a journo on the road, a reporter and then reading
the Perth News for twelve years before I even moved
to Sydney. And so I moved to Sydney and I
felt like I had to start from scratch.
Speaker 2 (11:45):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (11:46):
So it's only been in the last three years.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
That people have that I've been able to go, hey
everyone here I am.
Speaker 4 (11:54):
You know, I've got quite a bit of a year years, yes.
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Yeah, in the media industry, yeah wow, yeah, but only
the last three on a national level. Yeah, on a
national scale. And also even though I have been with
Channel ten for twenty three.
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Years, which I didn't know that a lot.
Speaker 3 (12:13):
Of people recognized from NI TV.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
From the point.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Yeah, yes, brother boy John Paul JP always everyone knows
jump on JANKI Yeah, on the point.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
So most people recognize you from the point on the point.
Speaker 3 (12:30):
Wow, it's It's fantastic, and especially this year, a lot
of people are tuning into the referendum road trip.
Speaker 2 (12:37):
Yes, how is that?
Speaker 3 (12:38):
It's been really good as JP has done some calculations.
We've done over thirty six thousand kilometers.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Are you serious?
Speaker 3 (12:45):
Yeah, recording traveling, Yeah, recording episodes in every state and
territory we have. This year, we've spoken to to blackfellows
from you know, grassroots community members who are rolling out programs,
to journos, to senators, to company bosses, to tour operators,
(13:06):
you know, execs at the AFL, tenure Hosh Sally Scales,
artists like there's there's so many people, people involved in
cultural heritage, people involved in injustice, in youth, all manner
of things. We've spoken to them this year while we've
while we've been trying to cover the referendum and allowing
(13:27):
people to tell their stories and share their issues.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
I was going to say, how important is it, How
important is it for us to have our own media
to tell our stories and to go to our communities
where people recognize your face so then they're more likely
than to actually engage, want to be on camera.
Speaker 2 (13:47):
How's it like? Tell me, can you share with this.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
Some of the people that you've met in terms of
some of the stories that you've heard. Is there anyone
I'm sure that they've all.
Speaker 3 (13:55):
You know, I've learned so much. When we're in Rockhampton,
Uncle Mick Gooder was there and.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
As a gungaloo man from the Dawson River, which is
the river that my dad used to take us back
to so big shant a to Uncle McK here was
my first ever guest.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Oh wow, magic, awesome, Uncle Mick.
Speaker 4 (14:18):
You know, that was a really great conversation.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
We talked about native title in that place and a
recent court decision. We talked about intergenerational trauma being a
medical condition like playing out medically and he he got really.
Speaker 4 (14:35):
Choked up in that in that episode.
Speaker 2 (14:37):
Uh.
Speaker 3 (14:37):
And you know when you see our elders become emotionally
when they talk about MOB and outcomes for mob, it's
a really you know that we're really striking a nerve
here and if this is something that everyone needs to hear.
And the same thing when we went to Tandania, Adelaide,
(14:58):
Uncle Charlie Jackson also became very emotional, you know, talking
about children, talking about our future, and so we're having
these really deeply personal conversations. But the best thing about
inn ITV is that they do the community engagement exceptionally well.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
Before we've even recorded.
Speaker 3 (15:19):
They've been there for days, meeting with the elders and
making sure that all the protocols have been observed and
we have the permission to be there before we even
start rolling.
Speaker 1 (15:28):
And that's the most important thing, right is you know,
you don't just turn up. I think this is really good,
especially for non Indigenous Australians. It could work in an
organization that has a reconciliation action plan and you've got
community engagement as part of one of your deliverables. And
a lot of people always say to me, so deliver training.
How do we know who the community are? How do
(15:50):
we know who the elders are?
Speaker 2 (15:52):
How do we know who.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
Are the rightful people? Treasure owners? Who are authority? You
know who's the boss for this country?
Speaker 2 (16:00):
Where do we go?
Speaker 3 (16:01):
That is so important. That's a starting point, the start,
that's where you start.
Speaker 1 (16:04):
Yes, and all this ground work is done yes for
you and JP just turn up with a camera crew
and start filming.
Speaker 3 (16:12):
Yes, and the right people need to be contributors. And
if there's not a space, if there's not space on
the panel, they need to contribute in some way.
Speaker 4 (16:21):
And you need to be able to have the time.
Speaker 3 (16:23):
You know what that's like. You need to have the
time to sit.
Speaker 1 (16:28):
Don't just think you're turning up for your two hours
to get your one minute episode.
Speaker 2 (16:37):
So I'm going to say this to everyone.
Speaker 1 (16:39):
I fear like you and I have known each other
for years because I mean following you and you yeah,
and then we just message each other every now and
again and just check in and say hello.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
But your beautiful videos with Creamer.
Speaker 1 (16:54):
The track is so I literally love a Nike track.
If he doesn't like it, tracksuit pants, right, I even
have tns and my kids right, don't like been seen
in public with me when I've got my tans on. Anyhow,
you and Karina with your track, he's doing your little
dance on Instagram. I just I wish my husband well
(17:17):
come on and have some fun with me, but he won't.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
He does not want to be seen.
Speaker 4 (17:22):
You need a willing participant. It's hard to make the
magic when it's just you.
Speaker 2 (17:26):
How you as Karina.
Speaker 1 (17:28):
A willing participant loves yes doesn't mine.
Speaker 4 (17:30):
The tracks of me. This is kind of that was
just last time I figured out.
Speaker 1 (17:35):
Because one knows Karina because she's always on Instagram with Nuala.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Look, it was the cold weather was back and so
this is our last chance to make the most of
our track suits. So we're like, come on, let's just
be DAGs listeners to be idiots last Street.
Speaker 2 (17:49):
But it's one.
Speaker 1 (17:49):
Way where people can start to see you and connect
with you, but just see you as a normal person.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Well it's because I I I'm got my makeup on
my TV makeup on now because you know this, but
also I do have something else tonight which I'll be
on stage and presenting, so I wanted to keep my
makeup on.
Speaker 4 (18:08):
But I do.
Speaker 3 (18:09):
I have makeup every day for work for TV. But
as soon as I don't need it, I take it
off straight away because that's that's not who I am,
and so I want people to see who.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
I really am.
Speaker 3 (18:22):
You know, there's a there's a work persona but also
then there's there's the silly me at home, and you know,
I would like to think that I am I am
the same person in that range. I'm the same person,
but just one has makeup and one doesn't, you know,
so I can still be serious and.
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Yeah, my corporate professional.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
Yeah, and if I can dance at the news desk,
can be silly at the news desk, I would, But
we're dealing with serious issues, so I can't, you know,
But when I when, But when it's happy and when
it's not so serious, oh, I know, I get quite loose.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
I love it.
Speaker 4 (18:58):
I love it, and.
Speaker 1 (18:59):
I just want to before I leave. You know, we're
gonna wrap up some but you know, there's a lot
of our mob and they're you know, now their journalists,
their doctors, their lawyers. We've got so many graduates across
all different disciplines and university. But for you, as a
Aboriginal woman in media, in mainstream media, can you share
(19:22):
with you know, some of our mob that may be
starting a career in media or in journalism, just some
of the Is there some advices, any tips that you
would give them, especially knowing that they're going to be
in a space where they may be the only person
or person of color, even right.
Speaker 3 (19:42):
You have to be really passionate for telling stories, for
allowing other people to tell their stories. When you're starting
out in journalism, there is no ego in journalism, because
you're telling other people's stories.
Speaker 4 (19:55):
You are you, you are the vehicle ye And so.
Speaker 3 (20:02):
When I was starting out, I was told, it's not
about you, it's not about you. And even when I
was reading the news, you know, I was told, you're
one of many, like and I think it was to
not create a monster, you know, like like someone with
a big ego who thought that the success of things
was all down to them. You're one of a team.
(20:24):
So there's an element.
Speaker 4 (20:26):
Of that that that brings true.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
But also I love to see people's personalities come through
in their stories, and I love to see their lens
applied to the stories because for so long, stories have
been told by a type of person and they're not us,
you know, they're so far from who we are, and
we still see it reflected in the news that's covered now.
(20:50):
You know, when when you know incidents of crime happen,
it's seen through a certain lens, or when we're talking
about children in custody, it's seen through a certain lens.
When we see people who are tasered, you know, why
would we care about someone who's tasted and then not
somebody else who's tasted you know, so the lenses are
applied whether we like it or not. So we should
(21:14):
be black fellows as journo's we need to start telling
the stories to be in there and tell the stories
and apply our lens to the story that's.
Speaker 1 (21:22):
So important for our mom to take up these spaces. Yes,
as journalists as well, to be able to communicate from
a black lens or from our perspective, especially when it's
part of our lived experience.
Speaker 3 (21:34):
Totally, because lived experience trumps everything else, everything else lived experience.
I mean, Canberra Parliament House would be a different place
if everybody was there based on their lived experience and
who have that lived experience to be able to help
the rest of the country in creating the policy that
(21:56):
can help the rest of the country.
Speaker 4 (21:58):
It would lived experience. It trumps everything else. I can't.
I can't say it any any other way.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
So when you apply your lived experience to everything, then
it's always going to be from a very authentic place
of course.
Speaker 1 (22:10):
Yeah, say you're going to get the best of the
best ye and apply that.
Speaker 3 (22:14):
Yeah, because that's what people are looking for. That's what
the Voice to Parliament is all about, is it's about
what is your lived experience like and how can we
improve outcomes for every for everyone, for all of us
all more.
Speaker 1 (22:25):
I don't know if you're getting a lot when you're
just in terms of the Voice to Parliament? Are you
finding any online even with your own kind of socials?
Are you finding a lot of negativity? And if you are,
I would love for you to share how are you
looking at yourself?
Speaker 4 (22:41):
I I you know, I get my fair share of trolling.
Speaker 3 (22:45):
But I'm in a very unique position because I am
a presenter on TV and I have to be impartial
and I have to ask the questions. So for that reason,
I can't put forward my position. I can't take stance
on the Boys to Parliament. I'm not telling people to
vote yes or to vote no. Therefore no one is
(23:06):
actually coming after me.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
It's this really interesting. It's a really position you know
that people they're.
Speaker 3 (23:13):
Still coming after me because as much as I try
to be impartial, you still you still cop it.
Speaker 4 (23:21):
Yeah, you still cop it.
Speaker 3 (23:22):
So yeah, I'm a I'm in quite a quite a
unique position where I have a platform to be able
to share information and ask the questions that need to
be asked and.
Speaker 2 (23:35):
People to then make an informed decision and.
Speaker 3 (23:37):
Fact check on the run, you know, which which is
really important to be able to fact check people when
they've got it wrong, of course.
Speaker 1 (23:45):
But I want to end with this, especially you know
what's going on in this country right now, which we
do know that the referendum is coming up. What's some
kind of advice you'd give, especially our mob.
Speaker 2 (23:58):
In terms of looking after themselves.
Speaker 1 (23:59):
I know that I seen Akida Ridgeway on LinkedIn recently,
just you know, promoting one three yarn. Yes, high rates
of online trolls and what would you say a lot
of our moms that are listening or watching.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
This, you will be very pleased to know that your
voice and Stan's voice came at a very important time
for me.
Speaker 4 (24:22):
So I was on a.
Speaker 3 (24:23):
Plane and this was it was actually months after you
had your yarn with Stan dropped on this podcast, and
I was on a plane and I I really needed
to hear everything that you need that you had to say.
So and the thing that cut through the most and
gave me most comfort was the question that you asked
to stand and he said, it is hard. It is
(24:46):
hard at the moment, and hearing that validation affirmed how
I was feeling and that it was okay to feel
like what I was going through was a struggle because
you know, and he was speaking directly to first Asians journals.
I don't know who were you thinking of when you
asked him at that question, what's your advice to other
(25:07):
first stations journos in newsrooms and they might be the
only one?
Speaker 4 (25:11):
And he said, just know that it is hard. And
I was like, oh, how does he know?
Speaker 2 (25:16):
How do you know?
Speaker 4 (25:18):
I was looking at that flying going, oh my goodness
talking to me, That's what it felt like.
Speaker 3 (25:25):
And so you have to find those moments. Listen to podcasts.
There's so many podcasts out there that could be a comfort.
There's information out there. Last night Karina told me don't
look at Twitter before you go to sleep, because I
was looking at Twitter or X.
Speaker 4 (25:41):
I was looking and she was like, put it down.
Put the phone down, so that I cleaned my head.
Speaker 1 (25:49):
I don't have Facebook or my personal Instagram or Twitter
on my phone, so obviously don't I don't have it.
I'm like, oh wow, So my advice to look after
my own mental health and to be present with my
kids and not let all of this outside noise consume me.
(26:12):
I get asked about the voice. Every minute of the day,
I deliver training culture, capital of training. Well, every question
is what's my stance and I always said same as you.
Speaker 3 (26:22):
What Monday can do in an hour will change an
organization's trajectory. Let me just say that I've seen you
in action, Mandadar.
Speaker 1 (26:30):
It's incredible surrenders on the first Nations Advisory for Football
Australia in Australia, and we got to watch a game
the Materialities, which was amazing. And then I saw you
at the book festival down here Taylor read and stand
Yes spoke, which was unbelievable, and then got to hang
out at the pub down here and just have a
(26:50):
feed yep.
Speaker 3 (26:51):
So I think all of those moments look and something
that sayd says a lot is that when he needs
it the most, the answer is we all put someone
in front of him, like you or like Tila walking
down their beach. You know, because they both.
Speaker 2 (27:06):
Had dinner with Tila last night.
Speaker 4 (27:08):
Wow, oh I saw.
Speaker 1 (27:11):
So he reached out to me and said can we
have a yarn? I'm like, oh my god, and I
would love to have a yan with you.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
And then the other day like Karina and I are
at Spice Alli, like a food area, and it was
a weird time of the day. It was like five
o'clock in the afternoon, four o'clock in the afternoon, and
Amy Tunic was there with Amy's husband Luke, and I
hadn't seen them for ages.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
You know.
Speaker 3 (27:33):
So we sat tit together and eat and have a
great yarn and we cau that they are random people
that you bump into, that the ancestors know that you
need to see them in that moment, you know, So
you have to be open to seeing those things. Like
when that happens, you can easily walk past the person. Yeah,
but it's happened for a reason, you know.
Speaker 4 (27:55):
Just let it, let it breathe.
Speaker 1 (27:57):
I know. I literally I remember when I run into
at the park because I thought I was going to
see you at the book thing and I end up
giving your T shirt to someone, your.
Speaker 2 (28:07):
Black Magical my T shirt.
Speaker 1 (28:09):
And I said to them, by the way, this was
from Norelda Jacobs and like, oh my god, you're.
Speaker 2 (28:13):
Giving it to me.
Speaker 1 (28:14):
And I was like, yes, it's all good. I'll see
Narrelda again and I'll hook her up. And they could
not believe T shirt. So remind me. I'm going to
send you a tea so you can represent. But I
just want to say, finally we're able to jump on
here and have this yarn. If there's anything that you
want to share with anyone, doesn't have to be about
(28:36):
the referendum, could be about the work that you're doing.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
Is there anything in the pipeline? Is anything that you
want to share with us? So you haven't? Ah, can
they hear it here? Well? Black Magic Woman?
Speaker 3 (28:46):
Oh gosh, I mean there's always things. You'll be the
first to actually Instagram will be the first and I no,
there's so much going on.
Speaker 1 (28:56):
But.
Speaker 4 (28:58):
I think it's just really important.
Speaker 3 (29:00):
And you know, moving from Perth to Sydney was quite
a big move, you know, going into the unknown. Leaving
an amazing job as the newsreader for a capital city
Perth and then moving into the unknown was huge. But
it was a willingness to kind of step outside your
comfort zone. And then from that then it was just
(29:21):
saying yes to things and yes to things and meeting
people and making friends and making friends with you and
locking Teala down and making friends with Tila.
Speaker 4 (29:30):
You know that's hard to crack, mind, you know.
Speaker 1 (29:35):
She reached out to me and I told her last sight,
I said, thank you for being generous. At that time,
I'm like, Taylor, I can believe you text me, I'm
thank you for being generous with you.
Speaker 3 (29:44):
Yeah, but it's just saying yes to things and being
open to things. If you're open to things, then new
experiences will happen, and then that experience lead to the
next opportunity and then a bigger thing and a bigger thing,
and then before you know it, you have this incredible
network of people of movers and shakers, people who are
changing the world, you know, and then you are in
(30:05):
the right place to be able to use your influence,
to be able to influence everybody around you, you know.
Speaker 2 (30:11):
So that is powerful. It's really powerful.
Speaker 4 (30:14):
But it starts with a single step.
Speaker 3 (30:16):
I mean, I know how cliche that that is, but
it does start with a single step. And we all
have the confidence on the inside to change the world.
We just need to take that step and to say
yes and be open to things and make connections with
people like you who you can mentor of course you know,
and I think especially for us as black women, that
(30:37):
you know, there's not a lot of young people, you know, in.
Speaker 1 (30:40):
Our communities that have those role models that they can
look up to you. Some are living in remote communities,
some are still you know, some are here in Redfern,
And I know a lot of my nephews and nieces
like to see their mom and dads go to work
or studying like it's.
Speaker 2 (30:55):
A big deal.
Speaker 1 (30:56):
But for a lot of non actual fans, it's normal.
And so just to be that kind of person that
they look up.
Speaker 3 (31:02):
To and find someone who has faith in you, because
we don't always have faith in ourselves and we don't
often step up to opportunities.
Speaker 4 (31:09):
We have to be pushed.
Speaker 3 (31:09):
And I was one of those people who had to
be pushed into opportunities because of people along the way
who've had faith in me.
Speaker 1 (31:17):
So look where you want to thank you killing it
and I'll tell you now, especially for my daughter Tiger
Lily and my big girl. There's Kasaiah as well. But
for Tiger Lily to see you on the news living
in a very white neighborhood, you know, you can't be
what you can't see.
Speaker 2 (31:37):
And she wants to be on TV. Right.
Speaker 1 (31:40):
She's someone that is really proud of her culture and
she's like you, she wants me to go and tell
the class and tell the kids about being a Murray.
Speaker 2 (31:51):
Tell the well. And I've done it with all of
my kids.
Speaker 1 (31:56):
But yeah, you brought back some memories that I know,
and I probably didn't think at the time meant a
lot to my kids until you started talking about it.
I started thinking about my kids, and I spent four
days with them, So I'm not getting emotional.
Speaker 2 (32:10):
I spent four days with them here in Sydney.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
But I just want to say, you know everything that
you do and for how you you know you are,
what you get is what you see, and you are real.
And for some of us, some of us might think
that we need to be one person in the western
world of white color world, and then we need to
be our true selves in our communities. We don't have
(32:33):
to know we're walking in these two worlds, but we
can still be who we are in both of those spaces.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Totally.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
I think that's what I want my kids to grow up.
I want them to realize that they don't need to
change who they are because they're the only black kids
in their school and they don't need to be anything
but themselves.
Speaker 2 (32:50):
But that's hard, right.
Speaker 3 (32:52):
It's very hard, and we can't afford to because our
entire community rely on that, depend on that. Otherwise we
would just be the statisic we if we fit in
and if we compromised ourselves too much and we compromise
our culture. We can't compromise. No, we can be in
the rooms to change it. That for some people is
a compromise, but that's where it ends.
Speaker 1 (33:13):
Yeah, look, I just want to keep you here or Dad,
but I know you've got somewhere else to go. I
just want to say thank you for all of the videos,
the laughs, keep sharing them, but yeah, I can't wait
to catch up again and just have a yeah, have
a feed with you here in Sydney.
Speaker 2 (33:32):
So thanks for stopping in here.
Speaker 4 (33:34):
Am I now a black magic woman?
Speaker 1 (33:35):
You are a black magic Woman's certified, But thank you
for being you and I know that there's a lot
of us that look up to you, So thank you
for this an absolute inspirations.
Speaker 3 (33:47):
Wanda, thank you, and the same to you. This podcast
brings a lot of comfort to a lot of people.
Speaker 2 (33:51):
Thank you.
Speaker 1 (33:53):
I literally could not believe they've finally got Narrelda on
this podcast and not virtually were in the same place
at the same time. I was able to make it happen.
I really do hope that you've enjoyed this episode.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
Until next time, by for now.
Speaker 1 (34:10):
If you'd like any more info on today's guest, please
visit our show notes in the episode description. A big
shout out to all you Deadly Mob and allies who
continue to listen, watch, and support our podcast. Your feedback
means the world. You can rate and review the podcast
on Apple and Spotify, or even head to our socials
(34:31):
and YouTube channel and drop us a line.
Speaker 2 (34:33):
We'd love to hear from you.
Speaker 1 (34:35):
The Black Magic Woman podcast is produced by Clint Curtis
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