(Static noise)
Lola: Hello. Hello, this thing on?
We been dance today.
(Women chant)
We been have a ceremony. Repatriation.
We've been bring our old person home.
It was gone longest time.
It be make me thinking now.
Land is family, and my ancestor, that's home.
(Women sing)
No matter what, hmm, they got different idea again.
But footprints and fences, mm, they don't matter 'cause when we finish, we all end up in the ground.
Oh, sh*t!
(People exclaim)
(Women sing)
Lola: Stick around. You might learn at something.
♪ Aaaaahhhh ♪
♪ Look, I'm here ♪
♪ I'm from the bush ♪
♪ Don't be shy 'cause I'm black ♪
♪ Listen to me ♪
♪ I'm talking to you ♪
♪ From the bush. ♪
Convenient way to die, falling into a grave.
Clem's office be cursed or some sh*t.
I reckon Jake gonna be down with this.
Down with what? With what?
The online news traffic.
The ceremony's gone viral.
That's great news, I'm definitely down with that.
Hey, where's Jessie?
Uh, the female ain't here yet.
What?
sh*t going down at home. Said she'd be creeping in later.
Later? No, no, no. Look, I understand about obligations.
But today work comes before mob, alright?
Call Jessie and get her in here ASAP, please.
You don't pay me enough to take that kind of heat. You talk to her.
Isn't your desk supposed to be cleared for the new bloke?
What's up with you OBPs?
Not happy taking a brother's land, you gotta take his desk too?
What's OBP?
'Original boat people.'
I'll have you know, my ancestors came to this country by plane, not by boat.
Original plane people then.
I heard that.
Thomas: Mum! Mum!
There's no hole in here!
Hurry up, Thomas, I need a shower too, I don't have time to worry about your hole.
Not my hole, Mum - the bath hole.
Thomas!
See? Now he's calling YOU 'arsehole'.
Not, 'arsehole', Mum, he said 'bath hole'.
Arseholes, bath holes. Talking about holes, what about Ethole?
Big old nuisance.
Mum! Hurry up!
Get out, Thomas!
We had a house in town, old girl, but you chose to move back to town camp and all the humbug.
'Cause this my home.
Ethole: Jessica, Aunty's here.
Mum!
It's Ethole. Tell her I'm gone.
Hey, you not ready yet? Come on, I need to go town.
Mum! There's no hole in here!
Mum!
Right, that's it, get out!
(Exclaims)
Good on ya, mad one.
I told you there's no drain hole.
I'm not cleaning that up!
(Phone rings)
Woman on radio: The funeral service for the late Clem James from 8MMM will be held at the Catholic church this Wednesday, 10am.
All are welcome.
Koala: I can feel the negative energy.
This cursed office. Poor Clemmy.
Not my fault Clem's dead.
I asked you to sweep away the bad spirits, and you turned us down.
Yeah, well, you pay me proper way, I'll sweep 'em for you right now.
It's a question of your fees, Lola. They're pretty steep.
Dave: Hello?
I'll bounce the spirits with a smoking freaking ceremony.
Dave: Hello?
Sshh!
I swear I heard a ghost.
Lola, what will happen to the new bloke if the office isn't...?
20 bucks says he's taken by a dingo.
Well, I reckon he drinks uranium-infested bore water, he glows and explodes from the inside.
Word.
No, dingo...
50 bucks says he gets taken by a f*cking crocodile.
Sorry, hope you don't mind, I came straight through.
No-one in reception.
Um, Dave Cross. The new bloke.
I'm looking for the General Manager, Jake?
I'm Jake. No-one at the front desk?
Not a soul.
Well, why would there be?
(Shrieks)
(Koala squeals)
Jampajinpa: Oh! No, you didn't!
You're lucky you're old.
No, you lucky I'm old.
Fight, fight, fight, fight...
Shut up, Jampajinpa.
.. fight, fight.
In the red corner we have...
They're all taking Clem's death really hard.
Get out of my way!
Grief, I think, can make you do some pretty crazy things.
Woman, on phone: Sorry to keep you waiting. What scheme?
The Federal Indigenous Safe Houses Scheme.
FISHS?
Yeah, FISHS.
What's the problem?
There's no drain hole in my bathroom.
One moment. I'll transfer you to the Canberra office.
Uh, no, I'm in Alice Springs. Why do I have to speak to Canberra?
Hello? Hello?
Radio ident: 8MMM FM.
Obviously, the 8MMM family's lost one of our own in really tragic circumstances, and I know we're all very upset about it, but Clem would have wanted us all to move forward.
So let's move forward.
Uh, Jessie's late, but I think everyone else is here.
Now, Koala, you've got the Minister for Safe Houses today.
Just be nice, alright? She's been very supportive of 8MMM.
Make 'em piss, sis.
Now, everybody, I'd like you to welcome Dave who's taking over from Clem as our training manager.
Dave Cross. OK, team, you know the drill.
Yep, Koala.
Hi, Dave.
G'day, darlin'.
Welcome to 8MMM.
I'm Kwerle but everyone calls me 'Koala' 'cause it's easier to say.
Oh.
I'm the online news producer - voluntary, of course.
I'm here because...
I just love the Aboriginal people and their culture.
The babies are so cute.
(Mouths silently)
OK, Koala. Thanks for that. Um, Milly.
(Sighs)
Uh, Mil?
Receptionist.
Mm.
Well, this brother's hardcore, staunch man, represents.
You know what I'm saying?
Yeah.
I been oppressed by the system and raised in the lap of luxury, and denied the chance to bond with my Aboriginal blood.
Right, and you are?
Oh, shite, my bad. Jampajinpa, cadet broadcaster.
Right, only cadet broadcaster here is a white man.
Weetman.
No, it says here 'Benjamin Whiteman'.
Sorry, it's Weetman'.
Not dissing my adopted olds, but that name is a symbol of my enforced cultural disinheritance.
Jampajinpa's my skin name.
A brother's gotta reclaim.
Black and proud. Pow!
But you're white.
OK.
Dave? Dave, you've heard of the Stolen Generation, right?
Mm.
Yeah, well, Jampajinpa here is a member of the given-away generation.
He didn't consent to his adoption.
Dave, why don't you... Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself?
Uh, well, where do I begin?
Well, firstly, I probably know more about radio broadcasting than you lot will ever learn in your careers.
Started out at the ABC when I was... 18.
First worked in Sydney at the head office there at Gore Hill.
We produced a lot of very important radio...
Come on, brother, I have a real maintenance issue here.
Can't be too much to expect a drain hole in a bathroom, hey?
This renovations mob couldn't renovate their ring holes!
Please brus, we both black. (Sighs)
It's nothing personal.
I'm just doing my job.
I don't want to brag, but that program actually won seven industry awards, two of them personally for me.
Uh, you know, it does take a great skill to paint a picture using only words, sound and music.
Next minute do you picture me rolling?
Yeah, I know you lot aren't exactly renowned for your hard work.
We'll just do the best we can with what we've got, eh?
Hard work? And, uh... who are you?
Oh, brother be hurtin' here. Don't start his lips smacking again.
Jessie, this is Dave, the new training manager.
Dave, this is Jessie, the trainee general manager.
You'll be working closely together over the next three months.
Dave's here to make sure you're ready to take over GM's seat.
No. You really know how to pick 'em.
What about the smoking ceremony?
Lola, is it? What do you do round here?
Well, good on you, Jake, you've found us another redneck.
So, who's going to be teaching who here, eh?
You can't expect me to give up desk space for that bogan?
You don't have a desk.
Gonna have a smoking ceremony or what?
Um, it's a bit late for a smoking ceremony. Clem's dead.
See? I warned you about taking on a six-month-old blackfella, Jake.
You stepped the line now, wench.
Dissin' a brother's disenfranchisement.
It's cultural. (Sighs)
That doesn't even make sense.
FYI, smoking ceremony's been in the family business for 50,000 years.
It's in my blood. (And my blood remembers.)
I'm sorry, but we have to do something about the cursed office.
It's spreading.
Um, no.
You have been white your whole life and black for, what, a minute, and you know everything.
Don't be hating on me, sister.
This is reverse discrimination.
OK.
Black man lives in here.
The spirits are restless.
I can feel it.
Superstitious mumbo-jumbo.
(Oh, yeah, yeah. Cool.)
Female can be walking around dissin' whoever she wants 'cause you wanna tap that.
You mob. You're both pox!
Oh, run away, then, you big sooky la-la.
Just so you know, I don't want to tap that.
No, tap you... I don't...
OK.
CSAs?
When were you gonna tell me about this?
Well, you weren't here.
How much does it pay?
It's dirty money, Jessie.
You know how I feel about this Intervention propaganda.
The whole world knows how you feel about the Intervention, Jake.
But it's not all about you.
We are busted-arse broke.
Koala can record the minister's visit and I'll do the CSAs.
Yeah? We're doing 'em.
For the record, I said no.
Whatever.
Oh, good. You know what we're doing then.
Koala: Uh, yeah.
Oh, and another thing.
Yeah, when we get out bush, stay away from the black men.
Stalk your own kind.
I'm the prey, not the hunter.
(Hot Oven,) your fire's gonna be lit tonight.
This one from your lover, Soaky Damper.
♪ When I first laid eyes on you ♪
♪ I can't stop loving you Oh, yeah... ♪
DJ Jampajinpa. Holla!
Live from 8MMM studios.
This one goes out from Jamesie in Amungana.
Holla to the shortays... Styxetta, Shiloh, Korine, Karmi, Trishana, Tatiana, Sheniqua, Narn, KayaMarley, SonJah, Naynay...
I only took this job on to tide me over until the ABC position became available.
And I thought it was gonna be easy money but... (Laughs)
.. you should see what I've got to deal with here.
I've been here half a day.
Already I've had a cursed office, a scrag fight and this crazy old bird threatening me.
You'd better get used to it. That job's not coming up for six months.
What? Well, what am I gonna do here for six months?
I don't think these Aborigines can be trained.
Aboriginal people don't like being called 'Aborigines'.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever.
Tomartoes, tomaytoes.
I am Aboriginal.
The job will be advertised online.
Good afternoon, Dave.
Right, my mistake.
(Mock Asian accent) I was thinking you was a chink.
Six f*cking months. sh*t.
(Knocking on door)
Yeah.
Hey, I thought maybe we could grab an early lunch, you know, talk over a few things.
Good idea.
.. Takiera, Gabby, Meema, Rheanna, ShawnRee.
All you sweet things in Amungana, this song's for you.
♪ Dream lover ♪
♪ When I see you in the midnight sky... ♪
Yo, any peeps in the house?
(Phone rings)
Wench reckons she blacker than black.
I'll show her who the blackest. Get some beats.
♪ HIP-HOP Spirits be gone. ♪
I'm-a set a fire up in here.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
(Phone rings)
sh*t.
Nan: What are you talking about?
Nan.
You supposed to take me doctors.
Sorry I missed your doctor's appointment.
Are you taking me there?
Where are you, Jampajinpa?
You gonna take me now?
Yeah.
I'm coming right now.
(Pop music plays on stereo)
Zeke.
Hey, cuz, long time no see.
Is that your baby?
Nah.
Aww, onya. Go on.
He's brother's little one, but he's in lock-up.
Have you got sore-sore?
Aww, baba got sore-sore?
We gotta go to hospital.
He sliced his leg on a broken kitchen pipe.
These houses are death traps.
What about the government renovations scheme?
Haven't they fixed the houses?
They look renovated to you?
Them government workers live in the new houses.
Do you reckon we can catch a ride into town with youse?
Of course.
Hey.
(Sighs)
Wah! (Giggles)
Great f*cking joint. Camel burgers. Rabbit kebab.
Roadkill, very traditional.
Yeah.
I think I'll have a hamburger.
Yeah.
Do this again sometime.
Hey, these Aboriginal organisations, they ever let boongs drive their cars?
Dave, that's a bit offensive.
What, letting an abo drive a car?
No, no, more those words like 'abo', 'boong'.
(Man clears throat)
Sorry, no, I didn't mean it like that, I just...
I wouldn't use those words in front of an Aboriginal person, but you're white.
Look, 8MMM is an Aboriginal company.
We have to be mindful of the traditional owners of the organisation and of this land.
Yeah, no, I've got a lot to learn.
But, mate, I've got a shitload to teach.
And I'm thinking maybe three months is not enough... not enough time for me to impart my skills.
I understand that, but I'm afraid three months is all you've got.
Look, you can't expect a cultural mindset that's existed for over 60,000 years to change in the blink of an eye.
Aboriginal organisations are meant to be run by Aborigines.
Aboriginal people.
Sorry?
You said 'Aborigines'. They like to be called 'Aboriginal people'.
Either way, I've promised Jessie that she'll be in the GM seat when I leave in three months.
You leaving in three months?
Uh, yeah, that's the plan.
You mob making a community service announcement for renovation mob?
Mm-hm.
This rubbish place.
They never fix anything.
Yes, I know, Gideon, but just help me out here, eh, please?
I need you to say something good about the renovations.
Well, they build me a new fence and new driveway.
Why I want that? I live in the bush and I got no car.
sh*t luck that's the only sprinkler in the building.
Yeah.
See, Jakey?
I been tell you not put sprinkler in here but, no, you can't listen for me.
Voice for Aborigine is f*cked now.
Aboriginal people.
Oh, where am I going to get the money to have it fixed? Oh, God.
Kwenye, Jakey, don't humbug for God.
Dave is a radio man.
Hey?
He can fix it, hey, Dave?
Oh, yeah, no, sure. I'll do that.
Just lucky you've got me around, eh?
Yeah.
Better go and get my tools, eh?
Once you get this mess cleaned up, love, you can switch the fuse back on.
Yep.
OK.
My name is Petunia Napananka, and I'm very excited about the new fence, especially the driveway.
My wheelchair used to get stuck in the dirt, but now I can wheel myself easily.
That's great stuff. Thanks so much, Petunia.
I'll make me and you a cuppa tea, eh?
Oh, no, I'll make it.
No, it's right. I might be in a wheelchair, but I'm not cr*pple.
Hey, Petunia, why are you using the neighbour's tap?
We got no water and all the pipes are broken.
And Gideon been fighting the government for a couple of years.
They built me longer driveway so I can come next door to use the garden tap. Mmm.
Where we going?
We're going to have a little chat with the Minister.
(Gasps)
Engarte Jesus.
I acknowledge and pay the deepest respect to the traditional owners past and present.
As the Federal Minister, I am proud of the Federal Indigenous Safe Houses Scheme and the five new homes my government has provided for this community.
Excuse me? Jessie Garner, 8MMM.
Yes, Jessica?
All the new houses are for Government employees.
Mm-hm.
What have you done for the community?
Well, we've improved 80% of the housing in this community.
Improved?
Go on, Petunia, tell them about your water.
I can get water now. No-one's the boss for me.
I like that driveway.
I really like it.
I'm free to come and go from my house whenever I want to.
That's great. Gideon!
Hm.
Go on. Don't be shame, Gideon.
Tell them about your broken water pipes.
Gideon?
Reporter: Have you got a comment, sir?
Gideon?
Gideon.
(Grunts)
Reporter: Sir?
Well, what you mob looking at? You got eyes.
Gideon's house is falling down.
Point your cameras over there, not at her big fat head.
Gideon and Petunia have no water, and you build a driveway.
Babies are getting sliced up on broken pipes and you'll probably just blame it on child abuse.
You've renovated my house and I have no drain hole.
Which department fixes the f*cking drain holes?!
I've f*cking tried everything. It's fried.
Look out for me.
♪ Youdickheadaye, youdickheadaye, youdickheadaye, youdickheadaye ♪
♪ Youdickheadaye, youdickheadaye, youdickheadaye. ♪
What the f*ck was that?
Mumbo jumbo.
Yeah.
(Rock music plays from console)
Huh?
I'll be buggered. Youdickheadaye.
Youdickheadaye.
'You dickhead, eh?'
You dickhead, eh.
The f*cking mumbo jumbo.
What's up, woman?
Since when do us desert blackfellas smoke out a dead person's place?
We sweep our spirits away.
What you flapping about, wench?
(Phone rings)
You set the office on fire, dumb-arse.
Jake's gonna choke you.
8MMM FM. This is Milly.
(sh*t.)
Yep.
Hang on.
Hey, Jampajinpa, my old mate, just the man I've been looking for.
Check ya later, peeps.
A smoking freaking ceremony?!
Jake, it's the Minister's office.
They got that calm voice.
They must be really pissed off.
Yep.
Tell you what, mate, in the real world, she'd be out on her arse.
Why should an Aboriginal organisation be any different?
You gotta stop mollycoddling her.
I don't mollycoddle.
I promote self-determination.
Bullshit.
Aboriginal people joke about traineeships that go on for 20 years.
I want to break that cycle at 8MMM.
Bugger those drain holes, eh?
sh*t. You've heard?
Yeah, I had a little chat with the Minister.
I'm sorry. I lost it again.
No, it's my fault. I shouldn't have said yes to the CSAs.
But...
Look, in light of what's happened, I've been trying to think about how we might do things differently, but I'm afraid my hands are tied on this one, Jessie, and there's nothing...
Jake, you're grovelling again.
Just spit it out, please.
OK, straight to the point. That's one of your strong points.
Straight to the point, assertiveness, when you learn to channel it...
Jake...
Yeah, uh...
Look, your run-in's earned you three more months of training.
But that's six months!
We might as well keep Dave on for another ten years!
I told you, you must learn to channel your anger.
I thought you were different, Jake.
Come on, Jessie, that's not fair.
Lucky they didn't cut funding.
No, you know what?
You can keep your GM job.
I'm gonna find another traineeship. I quit.
You can't quit.
You wanted the housing CSAs. You finish the job.
Fine. And then I quit.
Fine.
Yeah, fine. But you're helping me.
Fine.
Fine!
Gideon, recording: Well, they build me a new fence and new driveway.
Why I want that? I live in the bush. I got no car.
That's useless. Yeah.
I've got an idea. Look at this.
(Clears throat)
(Indigenous accent) Them shiny new fences and driveways been proper good one for me.
I lock'em my gate and no more humbug my place.
I'd laugh, but I reckon you're serious.
Got a better idea? They're due in the morning.
No.
Huh?
But I'll have to teach you to speak Aboriginal English properly way.
What?
Whitefellas got miserable language skills.
Nah. k*ller. That was deadly.
Oh.
Huh? A little bit deadly?
Slightly poisonous? Come on, sister.
Don't.
OK.
Lola: Like I was telling you mob early part, this my home.
My spirit am belong here.
Another mob, kwenye, they lost ones.
They don't know where they come from, but they been claiming this place for home.
And cheeky ones, they come and take over like they own at every place.
They got no respect, true.
And other ones, they got too much respect.
Drive you mad looking to fix it everything, but kwenye, lovely way.
(Hammering)
But like I always reckon, no matter what, we got plenty room for everybody.
Think about it. This 8MMM FM.
Aboriginal radio in Aboriginal country.
Right, this is a skills audit.
How many Indigenous languages exist in Australia?
Who knows this sh*t?
Cotton bull.
Is that it, 'Cotton bull'?
Woolly one.
Oh, cotton wool.
With these recordings, we can equip the Cultural Preservation Grant and get some money in the door.
Dave: Money?
Yeah.
You listen to women.
You wanna be a man?
All: Scull, scull, scull, scull, scull!
You must learn stay!
You two gotta act like a real man.
Lola: Hello? This thing on?
01x01 - Episode 1
"8MMM" is set in a radio station in the middle of nowhere, whose indigenous crew air the day-to-day preoccupations of the Alice Springs area. The station is run by non-indigenous people (Whitefellas) who fall into one of three categories: Missionaries, Mercenaries or Misfits: the 3Ms.