Almost the end of the road..

Well it’s almost the end of my placement journey.

The main event that I have been working on ‘Loud Shirt Day’ went off without a hitch.
The office was a buzz with preparation the final days before it. Tuesday, saw me entering donation details into the computer database.

Now that Loud Shirt Day is over for the year it means that the PR department turn their focus fully to Artitude. Which is Telethon Speech & Hearing’s (TSH) premier annual fundraising event. So to give you a bit of background, Artitude is an exhibition and sale of collectable art curated by Norah Ohrt of Perth Galleries and Sotheby's.
Funds are raised from corporate sponsorship, commission on the sale of artworks, and a gala preview that includes an auction, a silent auction, a wine wall and raffle.

Last Tuesday I attended another photo shoot. The shoot was to mark jewellery designer Rohan donating a stunning pearl to be auctioned off on the night of Artitude. The prize at the auction also includes having the pearl made into a one of a kind design of the winner’s choice. The shoot included the designer Rohan and an 18 month girl who attends TSH. Everyone was worried that she might try and put the pearl in her mouth or drop it- but she was a natural in front of the camera- holding it up so that it could be photographed perfectly. An article will feature in the Western Suburbs Weekly shortly.

Last Wednesday saw the launch of YAWA- Young Artists With Artitude. It runs as part of Artitude. YAWA showcases pieces young artists 18-35 with a passion for pursuing art as a career. YAWA is run by TSH in conjunction with the Burswood Entertainment Complex.

So getting back to Wednesday- the launch of the YAWA exhibition was held at lobby at the InterContinental Burswood. There were quite a few people there, which was great. It grew attention from hotel patrons and passers by alike. The fact that renovations were going on actually worked in our favour as it meant that the drinks lounge had been moved to the lobby- in turn creating more of an audience for the launch. The winner of the exhibition was also announced.



During my placement majority of my involvement has been Loud Shirt Day. I would have loved the opportunity to have had more of an active role in helping to organize YAWA and Artitude. To be able to get some experience in events would have been rather valuable. The lesson that I have learnt here is to speak up and ask for what you want. I understand that as interns we are at the direction of our supervisors and at the same time I realise it would have been rather simple to say ‘What other projects are happening at the moment, I would love to assist with some of those’. Now that Loud Shirt Day is complete my tasks are predominantly admin based. And include data entry of donations raised for Loud Shirt Day.

As my internship winds down I am grateful for the experiences that I have had thus far. I have learnt so much. I have a stronger appreciation for the knowledge and foundation skills taught at university. I have an understanding of how PR works in the real world and further than that, this whole experience has given me a better understanding of myself. That in itself makes this whole learning curve worthwhile!

Until my next post,

Alyce