Like many of us I am still in shock regarding news of the passing on the weekend of Deadly Vibe founder Gavin Jones at the age of 47. Launched in 1995 the magazine and media company had, in my opinion, the greatest influence in raising the importance of self-worth and education for a generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. This is indeed a sad loss to our community.
I didn’t know Gavin very well, but we did meet when I was in Sydney attending the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) and he offered me part-time work writing for the magazine. Testimonies from others suggest that this was the type of man he was – always looking to support, nurture and recognise the talent in others.
Gavin Jones was, quite simply, a champion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and should be remembered as such. I will always remember the Wallabies jerseys signed by all three Ella brothers hanging on the wall behind him in his office when we met.
Just like the Ella boys excelling in Rugby Union over Rugby League Gavin never did as was expected. His vision of our people’s potential was far beyond anyone else’s – and he built the magazine from nothing.
Unfortunately I didn’t accept his offer to work with him. Looking back, I wish I had. I would have loved to have contributed to his legacy in building self-esteem and raising the expectations of an entire generation of our mob.
Who wouldn’t want to contribute to such a legacy?
Unfortunately, it appears, the people who matter most: Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Nigel Scullion.
After all the rhetoric about positive parenting and the need for education, all the talk about building the overall health of our community by promoting of positive Indigenous stories, this government decided to cut funding to Deadly Vibe last month, one of the most productive vehicles they had.
After 20 years of focusing upon the achievements of Indigenous Australians across society, Gavin’s inspired leadership and good work was stripped of its resources with the strike of a pen.
Overly negative media was the reason why we started Deadly Vibe magazine. To put something positive in the hands of our young people; something of a high professional quality that could be read and handed around at home or school that told a different story. A story we could be proud of. A magazine that was ours. Something that had blackfellas achieving and breaking stereotypes – achieving in music, sport, at a community level, in the health sector, at school and in the work force. Something our young people can get excited about, and be justifiably proud.
The problem was that the magazine, the Deadly awards and all Gavin’s other ventures were never ours. They never gained commercial independence and we never assumed our rightful ownership. They could be taken away at the whim of government bureaucrats.
And let me tell all the non-Indigenous readers – Deadly Vibe was truly significant in raising our expectation and encouraging education, work and healthy lifestyle. But never did it achieve commercial success. Not Gavin’s fault, for that was never his intention.
Gavin came from a generation of Aboriginal people who were able, thanks to various types of government support, to feel independent. Why? Because we have a job, we are paying our bills, and we feel we are contributing to society. We are achieving beyond the expectations of our grandparents, but for many of us, our livelihood and vision remains dependent on government funding.
So many of us work in identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander positions within the public service, universities, and community organisations. And we are discovering how easily those positions can be lost, and how quickly funding can disappear.
For Gavin, it must have been devastating to contemplate rebuilding everything after 20 years of hard work. Through Deadly Vibe he had contributed to a major cultural shift for Aboriginal people.
I feel so much for his family and those closest around him.
It is important that we now respect his legacy and go beyond his vision – by striving for true independence in realising our potential.
Gavin Jones 1966–2014, Nga-nginda buruwi-y gaba binaal-ga (May you rest in peace).
Marcus Waters does not work for, consult to, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has no relevant affiliations.
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