The Beginning at AFWA

Hi Everyone,

This is my first post so I thought I would take the opportunity to introduce myself an my placement. My name is Natalie and I'm in my final semester of a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in public relations and marketing. I've recently undertaken a placement at the Asthma Foundation WA, and so far it's been great!

My main role is to provide event support for the 2012 RAC Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma. The hike is the biggest fundraising event for the Foundation and while the event logistics are taken care of by Corporate Sports Australia; there is still plenty that needs to be done here at this end.

My first day comprised of calling all previous participants and encouraging them to register again this year. By the end of the day I was in quite a panic over the task I had been given, worrying that I would not gain the experience I needed to complete the unit. This was only my first day though, and I realised that it was probably not a fair indication of what the next nineteen days would be like.

In the last few days I have been given some more exciting tasks. I was asked to brainstorm ideas that could be included in a public relations strategy for the event. Having been on holidays for the past three months this certainly gave my creative mind a workout! Part of this plan was to have a celebrity fundraiser, with Josh Catalano being secured to participate in the 10km hike.

With a heavy smoke haze over Perth, the Foundation has been enjoying many lucrative PR opportunities. Geof Parry from Channel 7 came into the offices at the beginning of the week to interview an asthma educator as to the effects of the smoke haze on asthma sufferers, and I was lucky enough to observe the whole thing! Channel 9 and 6pr have also sought comments from asthma educators in the last few days. The smoke haze really is a textbook example of the way in which an organisation can use a natural occurence to get their name and key messages into the media.

There are heaps of exciting things lined up for the coming weeks, so I'll be sure to keep you all informed!

Until next time,

Nat
14280126
Bentley