4 Generations of Black Storytellers

Produced by Kaiyu Moura Bayles and Tiga Bayles Jnr (4AAA 98.9fm & BIMA)

Mentored by Lorena Allam (ABC Radio National)

If you’re longing to sit and listen to the wisdom of the elders of the land -

- if you’re ready to listen to the answers of some hard-hitting questions and be wowed at the same time, then 4 Generations of Black Storytellers is for you.

Join Kaiyu and Tiga Bayles Jnr as they explore significant legacies of the past and future.

This is the untold story of four generations of a family who helped create the Black Theatre, Radio Redfern, Brisbane Indigenous Media Association (BIMA), The Murri School and the soon to be released "River Story". 

It highlights the legacy of Maureen Watson; activist, poet, storyteller, actor, humanitarian, educator and Matriarch of this dynamic family. 

It explores the achievements of her younger brother Ross Watson; who released the first black newspaper, founded both black radio and the black school in Brisbane and who, before his passing, completed his PhD works, soon to be released as a book. 

It celebrates the life of Maureen's son Tiga; a well known pioneer of black radio, who built Radio Redfern, served as a Chairman of the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, served 20 years as the Chair of the Murri School, 20 years as the CEO of Brisbane Indigenous Media Association and was a Queensland father of the year.

We also meet the next generation, Ross's daughter Teila who performs and writes her own music, poetry and theatre. And Tiga's daughter Kaiyu who writes and performs her own music and poetry as well as working in Radio and digital media. 

Then you will meet Kaiyu's son (Tiga’s grandson) Tiga Bayles Jnr, who's part of the fourth generation of activist, radio pioneers and storytellers. Tiga works with his mum creating audio documentaries, currently they are working on an idea Tiga snr shared with Kaiyu before he passed. 

Lala Bayles another of Tiga's grandchildren is a powerful force already speaking up for the cause and sharing her poetry at rallies and community events. 

The future looks bright with the next generation emerging in the media, performing arts, modelling industries and even sport. 

This is their story.

Credits

The CRN acknowledges the contribution of the ABC in providing archival audio for this feature. 

Mentored by Lorena Allam (ABC RN).

_{This piece was made for the CBAA's National Features & Documentary Series 2017, a showcase of work by new and emerging Australian community radio producers, with training and mentoring provided by the Community and Media Training Organisation. The opinions expressed in National Features & Documentary Series content are those of the individual producers or their interviewees, and not necessarily shared by the CBAA or CMTO.}