Talking posters in nine Indigenous languages have won the Northern Territory Safer Communities Award.

The Award, announced this morning by the Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson, recognises innovative practices and achievements in community safety.

Kerri McMahon, the NT Emergency Services (NTES) project coordinator, and her team put together community messages in language to be broadcast across cyclone prone areas of the Top End through ABC and the Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association (TEABBA) radio during the cyclone season.

Kerri said, "The innovative posters and broadcast messages increased our audience and assisted the community to provide cyclone preparedness and resilience, especially in remote areas where English is not a first language.

“The majority of cyclone preparedness campaigns are spoken or written in the English language.

“However, we found there was a lack of information in appropriate languages throughout remote parts of the Territory with regards to preparedness advice.

“There is a large number Indigenous communities and English is generally not the first or even second language.

“The NTES posters and broadcast messages were put together following consultation and with the help of the aboriginal interpreter service and ABC Radio Darwin.

“To have the message now spoken in appropriate language, and by people they know and trust, assists in preparedness as we enter the cyclone season.” Kerri added.

This morning’s presentation was made by the Chief Minister Paul Henderson and Carolyn Thompson, Education, Research and Training Director from the Federal Attorney–Generals Department.

NT Emergency Services talking poster project coordinator, Kerri McMahon, will now go on to represent the Northern Territory at a national awards ceremony in Canberra in December.