SBS Audio has announced the appointment of Wiradjuri and Western Arrernte woman, Lowanna Grant, as the executive producer of NITV Radio.
During her first NAIDOC Week as executive producer and presenter, Grant – who commenced in the role last month – will discuss the importance of First Nations languages with Letetia Harris, Wiradjuri language teacher at Charles Sturt University. Grant graduated from Charles Sturt University herself in 2022 with a Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage.
Conversing partly in Wiradjuri language, the interview will also touch on the language revitalisation work of Wiradjuri Elder, Dr Stanley Grant Snr AM, and Grant’s paternal grandfather. Dr Grant, his brother the late Pastor Cec Grant OAM and Dr John Rudder were pioneers in reconstructing Wiradjuri language, which led to the production of a Wiradjuri dictionary, children’s books and university teaching materials. In 2022, Dr Grant was awarded the NAIDOC Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions.
Grant said, “I’m looking forward to delivering this story during NAIDOC Week which celebrates Wiradjuri language and the Elders who have had such a huge impact by working to keep First Nations languages alive through language revitalisation and teaching.”
As executive producer, Grant will lead the editorial direction for NITV Radio, presenting the program and producing its distinctive multiplatform content sharing the diverse voices and perspectives of First Nations peoples.
David Hua, director of audio and language content said: “We’re thrilled to have Lowanna join the team at NITV Radio. I’m looking forward to the passion, cultural knowledge and fresh perspective she’ll bring for our listeners across platforms. I’m also looking forward to seeing First Nations stories shared with more multicultural and multilingual Australians as outlined in the SBS Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan. We’re excited to have Lowanna come on board, particularly at a time when ensuring the voices of our communities are heard is so important, and to continue telling important First Nations stories through NITV Radio.”
On her appointment, Grant said: “I’m so excited to be joining the NITV Radio team and taking on this important role for such a unique program, and vital part of SBS’s broader audio offering. NITV Radio provides a critical platform to cover the news impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and dive into the issues and stories featuring a diverse range of voices from our communities including in First Nations languages.”
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Top Image: Lowanna Grant