Shayne and Danny Teece Johnson have both been full-time employees of the SBS subsidiary station for over a year with Shayne in the position of camera operator and Danny as a video journalist. 

Though thrilled to have secured full-time roles with the station, the two brothers have been contributors to the station for a number

 of years.

“I started part time in February last year and then  I got full-time one month after, but I’ve worked for them as a freelancer for a number of years, just as Danny has before he started,” Shayne said.

Shayne who has a background in social work and who has worked extensively with Armidale organisation Beyond Empathy in the past said he was thrilled to be working for the indigenous station, which allows him to help tell the stories of Australia’s indigenous communities.

“It’s great to have the financial security but also getting to do what you love every day is a blessing,” he said.

“It’s great to have the financial security but also getting to do what you love every day is a blessing. 

“I do miss doing the freelance stuff sometimes as I used to get out to a lot of the communities and do music and short films with young people, though what I do now still helps them and probably more so as we are national news right across the country and we get to cover stories on social justice, equality and those types of issues, that can affect communities, as well as telling the communities stories.

 “One of my highlights was shooting in Kempsey a story we did on Kinchilla Boys which was an indigenous boy’s home which was quite notorious and we were there to cover their 90-year reunion.”

Unlike his brother who is found behind the camera, video journalist Danny is largely responsible for what happens in front of the camera and has appeared on camera himself on a number of occasions, something he said he was still getting used to.

“I’ve been on camera a fair bit, it is something I’m still getting used to, being a director, but I’m on camera more and more lately so I’m slowly getting more used to it,” he said.

“I’ve worked for NITV on and off for five years but I’ve been full-time for a year, but I’ve been producing content for them for a while.

“It’s definitely a dream come true but also a big responsibility.

“When I first started in film and television NITV had just started, and it’s important because the mainstream media get it wrong a lot, and it’s great for us to get out and tell the stories of our people and show the truth of situations and battle stereotypes.

“When I came back from Darwin and Kakadu to NSW after being up in the Territory for five years my first job was a big land rights rally which the mob won, which was just great. Anytime the mob can get a win is a highlight for me.

“Also covering the Muckaty (Station) stuff was pretty special for me. It was a big issue for the mob out there and they won, so that was big for me.”

Though they don’t necessarily see themselves as role models both Shayne and Danny do agree they are great examples of what can be achieved through hard work, determination and talent, a message  both brothers are always quick to pass on to young people including their own children.

“I see it in the young people when we teach them what we do, even in my own children that their eyes light up when they see that this is something that is achievable,” Shayne said.

“I’d really love to see more young people follow in our footsteps, whether it be filmmaking, hip hop, or dancing or performing, just as long as they are out expressing themselves and living a fun active life,” Danny said.

“We talk to the kids and tell them about the work Shayne and I do and they are always like wow, and if me and Shayne can secure full-time roles with NITV then it shows anyone can do anything.”