REDWatch Spokesperson Report for 2008-2009

As spokesperson I have been the public contact point for REDWatch. My office phone and mailbox have been given as the contact points for REDWatch, and I deal with a range of inquiries from the media, students, residents and the general public looking for information about REDWatch or issues connected to the area. Where possible I refer these inquires to others to provide the assistance sort.

I have maintained the REDWatch website, selecting articles dealing with the area for the media section and producing updated sections documenting RWA changes and announcements. As an indication of the importance of the website in September 2009 the REDWatch website averaged 329 visits / 861 pages and 4729 hits per day. Hits on the website have been down since June when Regular postings and Updates tapered off due to my work commitments. The website fills the role of a virtual resource centre where people can access information about the area and this certainly helps handle some of the enquiries received over the phone. I want to thank Lyn for also assisting with the events section of the website and for talking with many of the students who approach REDWatch for assistance.

I would like to also publicly acknowledge the assistance of Nickolas Lam who continues to be responsible for hosting the REDWatch website. Nickolas provides the technical support on the website and since moving the site to external hosting has also been paying not insignificant hosting charges. Due to some technical issues with solving a spam problem we have been unable to set up new Administrators and spread the load as planned - but this remains a priority.

Over the year I have dealt with many media inquiries, background briefings and interviews which have helped to raise the issues of concern to REDWatch. I have also spoken on behalf of REDWatch at a range of public and consultation meetings and liaised with local agencies and other community groups and individuals about REDWatch issues. I have continued to sit on the Pemulwuy Project Team as REDWatch spokesperson and addressed Squat Space tours.

Lyn and I have continued to produce our Redfern Waterloo Issues Updates (RWIU) which appears on the REDWatch website along with other material produced about the area from a multitude of sources. The RWIUs provide an up to date information source for REDWatch and for the broader community. While the RWIU is not produced by REDWatch, my role also as REDWatch Spokesperson creates the possibility that REDWatch will be impacted by what is said in RWIUs. When people ring it is not clear if they are approaching me as a result of REDWatch or as a result of the RWIU. There remains the possibility that REDWatch may be attributed with something I say personally. I endeavour to make it clear when officially speaking on behalf of REDWatch.

In the first part of the year was continuing to put 30-40 hours a week into Redfern Waterloo activities in addition to my full time business. This has lessened in the last few months and it still seems likely that further changes in my business will see this time further reduced. To ensure an active voice into the future REDWatch needs to look at how we can spread the workload and provide opportunities for new people to be involved in a range of different ways in the group.

I remain hopeful that the new Minister, the RWA and Council will responded to REDWatch ’s concerns. There have been many promises but not much change to point to. Opportunities still arise for greater participation in decisions about our area and we need to maintain the pressure and find suitable people to take up the opportunities for participation. The challenge I see for REDWatch is to help provide the opportunities, skills and confidence to build up the thoughtful voice of advocacy in Redfern Waterloo so that the area’s communities have a real say in what happens in our area.

Geoffrey Turnbull Spokesperson 2008-9