In this episode of Jam Pakt, Jonzy ventures into the studios of Channel 9 in Sydney for a yarn with Gamilaroi woman and Entertainment Reporter for the TODAY Show, Brooke Boney. You might know her as a star of TV and radio already, but it’s what Brooke has to say about her upbringing and her advice to aspiring young journos that makes her a true star in our eyes.

Episode 196 - Brooke Boney

In this episode of Jam Pakt, Jonzy’s yarnin’ with talented musician and multi-instrumentalist, Julian Belbachir. Julian kept the beat for 10 years as drummer in the legendary band Oka, who released a stack of successful albums and played sold out gigs all over the world, including the 2021 Parrtjima Festival in Alice Springs. Recently, Julian ventured out on his own to release his first ever solo album, ‘Babdoukkala’ which he’s been showcasing at places like the Bello Roots Festival in Bellingen and Vivid Sydney. 

Julian was born on Gadigal country to Moroccan and Australian parents and raised in the inner-city suburbs of Surry Hills and Redfern, and ‘Babdoukkala’ reflects his deep spiritual connection to Africa alongside the modern influences of growing up in Australia.

Episode 197 - Julian Belbachir

In this episode of Jam Pakt, Jonzy reunites with Briggs, his first-ever guest on the show. Together they talk about the importance of culture and identity, about Briggs’s musical collaboration with Thelma Plum, the inspiration behind the children’s book ‘Our Home Our Heartbeat’, and the female singer Briggs thinks is one of the brightest stars on his Bad Apples music label.

Episode 204 - Briggs

You never know where volunteering is going to lead. For Kate Garstone, volunteering with the Broome Food Co has meant regularly meeting new people, a closer connection to her community, and a whole lot of new recipes.

Volunteer Champs Of Broome Season Kate Garstone

Brendan is a proud Wiradjuri man from the Southern Tablelands of NSW. In 2019 he was appointed Managing Director of JY Australia, aveteran and Indigenous owned professional services company providing services to Defence and Defence Industry.
Brendan served over 15 years as a Maritime Logistics Officer in the Royal Australian Navy which took him to 24 countries across six global/domestic operations. He continues to serve in the Naval Reserve, and also spent more than five years as a firefighter with the
Queensland Fire and Rescue Service. 
Brendan has mentored and instructed over 300 new Navy officers in leadership and culture through the Royal Australian Naval College and now uses his experience to deliver JY Australia’s Indigenous Development & Employment Program, which endeavours to close the
social and economic gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.
Brendan is also Vice-Chairperson and Non-Executive Director of Umpi-Korumba, an Indigenous community housing organisation which provides crises accommodation, social support services and affordabler.
The Prime Minister’s National Veterans’ Employment Awards recognise the achievements of Australian organisations that make significant contributions to the employment of veterans and veteran partners, as well as celebrating the achievement of individual veteran and partner employees and entrepreneurs.
https://jyaustralia.com.au/about-us/

Matty J IV With Brendan Dumbrell - The Prime Minister's National Veterans' Employment Awards 170523

Volunteer Champs Of Broome Jaycee Alba Broome Filipino Community

The Launch of the Pilbara Kimberley University Centre (PKUC) in Broome will help students in north-west Western Australia attain a tertiary education without having to leave their community.

Assistant Minister for Education, Senator Anthony Chisholm said the new study hub will help support the education needs of students from Broome, as well as other communities in the Kimberley, such as Kununurra, Halls Creek and Fitzroy Crossing.

“This new facility will allow more students, including First Nations students, to study closer to home, where they can receive support from the Hub’s staff, their families, friends and communities,” Assistant Minister Chisholm said.

“PKUC in Broome already supports 35 students, studying in areas including nursing, social work, education and medicine, with 20 per cent of these students identifying as First Nations.”

The Pilbara Kimberley University Centres team has also supported nearly 300 students from the Pilbara and Kimberley regions of WA, since the Karratha and Port Hedland sites opened in 2020.

Assistant Minister Chisholm said PKUC is making an important difference to supporting higher education in regional and remote Western Australia.

The Australian Universities Accord Interim Report identified expanding the Regional University Study Hubs program as a priority, to provide more higher education opportunities to students in regional and remote communities.

The Albanese Government is investing $66.9 million to double the number of University Study Hubs around Australia to make higher education more accessible.

“We believe that every student deserves to have access to a world-class tertiary education no matter who they are and where they live,” Assistant Minister Chisholm said.

“Young people from regional and remote Australia are almost half as likely to obtain a higher education degree compared to their peers living in cities. This program works to remove barriers for regional and remote students to access high-quality education opportunities.”

This builds on the 34 existing Regional University Study Hubs currently operating across the country, with PKUC Broome the latest to open its doors.

The Regional University Study Hubs program currently supports 3400 students, who are studying more than 1000 courses through more than 200 tertiary education providers across the country.

More information about the Pilbara Kimberley University Centres can be found at: https://www.puc.edu.au/

Matty J IV With Toni And Assistant Minister For Education Anthony Chisholm On PKUC Broome Launch

✨ Interview: Matty J & Natalie Ahmat on Neighbour Day 2025 ✨

In this heartfelt chat, Matty J catches up with long-time friend of the show, journalist, producer, and proud Mudburra & Wagadagum woman, Natalie Ahmat, to talk all things Neighbour Day — happening this Sunday, March 30th.

Together, they dive into why real human connection matters now more than ever. Despite living in a world where we’re constantly "connected" online, loneliness is still a growing issue, with almost 1 in 3 Australians feeling lonely. Natalie shares her thoughts on how simple, everyday moments — like a friendly chat in the hallway, a smile, or checking in on a neighbour — can make a real difference to someone’s day.

They also reflect on how the pandemic and modern life have changed the way we connect, and how it’s often the little things that help us feel seen, supported, and less alone.

As an ambassador for Neighbour Day, Natalie shares why she’s passionate about building stronger communities and how these values are deeply rooted in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture — where looking out for one another is simply a way of life.

Plus, she gives a glimpse of how she’ll be spending her Neighbour Day this year — connecting with friends over a cuppa, a yarn, and a bit of sewing.

🎧 Listen now and be inspired to reach out, say g’day, and make a connection this Neighbour Day (and every day).

For more info and ways to get involved, head to 👉 neighbourseveryday.org

#NeighbourDay #NeighboursEveryday #RadioGoolarri #MattyJ #NatalieAhmat #Community #Connection #Yarn #StrongerTogether

Matty J IV with Natalie Ahmat on Neighbour Day 2025

In this special Men's Health Week episode, Sandy Dann sits down with William Hunter, Acting Regional Manager of Social and Emotional Wellbeing & Suicide Prevention at KAMS, and Jared Franey, Men’s Health Coordinator, to talk about the importance of looking after our blokes — not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.

Together, they yarn about:

Breaking the silence around men’s mental health

Cultural healing, grief, shame and stress in our communities

Simple steps for daily wellbeing, like a yarn, a walk, or getting out on Country

The impact of alcohol and the power of healthy habits

How KAMS is creating safe spaces and programs for men across the Kimberley

A shout-out to grassroots workers like Simone Cox and regional SEWB teams

Resources like 13YARN for mob who need a confidential chat

This episode is a powerful reminder that real strength lies in reaching out, looking after yourself, and supporting your brothers.

📞 Need a yarn? Call 13YARN – a free, 24/7 crisis support line run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, for mob.



Country Affairs with Sandy Dann – Men's Health Week Special with KAMS SEWB 120625

Matty J chats with Narelda Jacobs – Big Backyard Quiz & 50 Years of NAIDOC
🎙️ Broadcast on Radio Goolarri 99.7FM – NAIDOC Week 2025

Matty J is joined by proud Whadjuk Noongar woman, journalist, and trailblazer Narelda Jacobs, co-host of the brand new NITV comedy quiz show Big Backyard Quiz. In this lively and heartwarming conversation, they unpack how the show flips Aussie history on its head through a Blak lens, with laughs, facts, and family vibes.

Narelda reflects on the powerful cultural safety behind the scenes, the joy of working with co-host Steven Oliver, and the beauty of mob learning and sharing language together. She also shares the deeper meaning of this year’s NAIDOC theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision, Legacy”, marking 50 years of NAIDOC Week.

The pair talk legacy, leadership, and laughter, with a shoutout to Barkaa, and an invitation to tune in, quiz yourself, and maybe even host your own backyard games night.

📺 Big Backyard Quiz premieres Saturday 12 July, 7:30 PM on NITV and SBS On Demand, with 10 deadly episodes to follow.

Matty J IV with Narelda Jacobs for NAIDOC on Big Backyard BBQ Show 070725

We are an Indigenous media organisation located in the far north-west of Australia.