Now, with just 2 days left I am starting to reflect on my time at the City of Rockingham.

There as been some busy times and some very quiet times.
I have had quite a few really slow days lately as everyone in my department have been working tirelessly to be ready for the new logo and tag line launch which is due to take place in 2 weeks.

It is exciting that a new look is coming; I'm just hoping a new reputation will follow soon.

Working at the council has made me love my city even more. Over the past 18 days I have driven around our amazing coastlines taking photos (from Rockingham to Singleton), written articles, media releases and stories which promote the great services the council offers and researched into what our incredible little city has to offer.

It's really unfortunate that some people disregard and have a negative opinion of Rockingham due to its reputation, rather than an actual experience they have had here.

We have some of the best beaches in the country (recently won Clean Beach WA 2010), we have gorgeous little penguins and seals meters off our coast, dolphins to swim with, whale watching and loads of water sports available. Our main foreshore, cafe strip, shopping centre, wineries, horse riding and paint balling all within 15 minutes of each other... and it’s just a short 30 minute train ride from the city.

So... if anyone is interested in coming down to experience the real Rockingham for the day, here is a great opportunity….

“On Saturday, the 18th of December, Rockingham’s idyllic foreshore will come to life as the excitement of day 3 of the sold-out test match is broadcast live at the Churchill Park.

Spectators will be treated to the third Vodaphone Ashes Test Match on a captivating mega-screen, operated by the Perth Motorplex. The live feed, transmitted by Channel 9, will begin at 10:00 am and conclude at 6:00 pm.

During the broadcast, local junior teams will entertain the crowds with a beach cricket match; while popular eateries offer Ashes lunch specials to celebrate the long-standing and treasured West Australian event”.

For the full media release, please visit: http://www.rockingham.wa.gov.au/Council/Latest-News/The-Ashes-Live-at-Churchill-Park-in-Rockingham.aspx


After that shameless plug... I'll get back to my placement blog.

Learning more about the city has been great, but I don’t feel like I have been able to work to my full potential here. I understand that my colleges can only give me so much work as they need to carry out the majority to ensure it is completed correctly and on time.

I love being busy and thrown into a pile of work which keeps me occupied all day. So, the slow days really drive me crazy because I think of all the other things I could be doing with my time.

In saying that, I have been given the opportunity to help out with the creation of a variety of council documents which has been a great experience- Annual report, media releases, council news column etc.

The current Community & Media Relations Officer has recently given her notice of resignation (after many years) and the vacancy is now being advertised.
If you would like to check out the job description, the link below will take you to the Vacancy Information Package.

http://www.rockingham.wa.gov.au/Council-(1)/Documents/Microsoft-Word---Information-Pack---Senior-Media-a.aspx

My placement has been good in the sense that I now know that a PR consultancy is the direction I would like to go in. I have enjoyed aspects of my placement at the council; however I don’t feel that I could work here full time.

It sounds like everyone has had a great time at their placements and have got what they want out of it, and thankfully, so have I.