University charity event a success
Mon 29 June 2009
Thomas Gray, Journalism
Angels and Demons was a fitting theme as four students’ demonic pursuit of good grades was harnessed to benefit some real life angels.
As part of their public relations degree, Eugiena Pratley, James Caffery, Jacinta Krause and Chloe Sollom had to plan an event to promote and raise funds for their client as they would for a real public relations firm.
Working on behalf of a local charity, the team of enigmatic students managed to secure the rights to the premiere of the new Tom Hanks’ film Angels and Demons and planned their event around this.
“As well as the movie, we included pre-drinks and nibbles at the Pig n’ Whistle, as well as raffles and giveaways to make the night really great,” event coordinator Mr Caffery said.
Not only did the event provide invaluable practical experience for the students, it also raised more than $3000 for Bloomhill Cancer Help, a local charity that offered support services to those affected by terminal illness.
“We hoped, but never expected, such a response...it was great,” Mr Caffery said.
Bloomhill communications director and University of the Sunshine Coast staff member Michelle Smytheman praised the students and said the event was hugely successful for Bloomhill.
“Not only did they raise money, they also raised awareness of the work Bloomhill are doing in the community,” Ms Smytheman said.
USC public relations lecturer Amalia Matheson said the workshops benefitted the students far more than traditional examination because it presented them with real-life situations.
“It’s a good way of forcing them to put all the theory they have learned into practice,” Dr Matheson said.
“For example, one of the biggest challenges in the creative industries is working as a team.
“This workshop makes them face that challenge.”
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