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