Ramingining Multimedia Centre

The newly launched multi-media centre and public library provide the remote community of Ramingining in the Northern Territory an improved level of social connectivity and service accessibility with a reduced price, thanks to the $250 million Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP).

The East Arnhem Shire used $328,000 of their allocated $405,000 RLCIP funds for the construction of a building used to accommodate a public library and multi-media centre available for the use of East Arnhem community members.

Upon the successful completion of the multi-media centre building, East Arnhem Shire Council independently fitted out the centre with the electronic equipment, such as, flat screen TV, public internet, computers and furnishings for the centre to be the public hub for communications and distribution of information throughout the community. Since its opening on 1 January 2010 the community has gained two critical services; a Recording Studio (Video & Radio) and an Information Centre with public internet access.

The centre provides employment for four locals (including three indigenous staff) and provides a central location for the community to stay informed of shire activities such as meetings, local news, and health updates via flat screen TVs and external speakers. Public internet provides community members access to online education, health services and E-Banking to manage finances and pay bills. Before this project was complete, community members had to use the telephone to pay bills, a time consuming and expensive approach due to Ramingining’s remoteness.

Facility manager Mr Xavier Espaiu, of East Arnhem Shire Council said, “Ramingining now has a modern building where the community can record, edit and produce DVDs of events such as local festivals, ceremonies, and sports to preserve and promote its traditional culture throughout the region and Australia. These are then made available for purchase, providing an ongoing revenue stream for the maintenance and expansion of the facility.”

The East Arnhem Shire Council anticipates the use of the centre will increase as its available services continue to be recognised by the community. Mr Espaiu said, “The council has already entered talks with the local health clinic to engage it to join the centre and thereby expand its service to the community.”

East Arnhem Shire Council, an element of one of the largest the Aboriginal Reserves, is distinguished by its remoteness and the strong ongoing traditions of its indigenous population. The area and surrounding region has long required infrastructure development to reduce the impact of its isolation and increase community social connectivity and service availability.

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