ABOUT WoMEDIA
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By sharing my personal media journey (below) I hope that you will learn to trust some of the amazing media professionals who underpin this industry and what they can do for you.In starting any new enterprise, honesty and openness are the best foundations on which to build a respectful partnership. It is these two core values that underpin media learning guide. I sincerely hope that you, the reader, will choose to actively engage with your local media for whatever reason.
I work at the coal face of the regional media industry and I assure you it is a different work environment to that of my metropolitan peers.
My work environment is not glamorous, I multi-task on a regular basis and come face to face with the people we feature daily in our local newspaper, the good, the bad and the ugly. My media career has definitely shown me the good definitely far outweighs the bad.
When I am out and about, people are always asking me questions about the media so I spend a little time explaining the how to, what for, when should I, where should I and why bother.
When I began my life as a volunteer publicity officer for a local community group over 20 years ago I knew nothing about the media. I didn’t have a television, read a newspaper or listen to the radio. My role as publicity officer came with no directions or resources.
My sharp learning curve began with lots of mistakes and nothing to assist me to fulfill the role of publicity officer professionally.
After fumbling my way for over five years and representing over six community groups I was approached by my local newspaper to become a part time press photographer a position I still hold today 14 years later.
These two roles and the many related experiences are what underpin my book How to ‘Sweet Talk’ your local media and the media workshops I have created and now deliver to communities around Australia. It is not an academic or desk top model approach, but simply what I know works.
My media and volunteer career have helped shape the person I am today. This inside media knowledge and numerous encounters with ordinary and extraordinary people are a constant inspiration to me. My narrow view of life has broadened extensively and I will be forever grateful to my editor who offered me an opportunity to become a media professional all those years ago.
My career as a media professional and volunteer have helped me connect with my community and created an extended family network, warts and all.
I love it when people I have photographed give me a hug because I’ve made their day, given a bouquet of flowers because they appreciate that
I turn up to take their photo. I even get home-cooked food because some think I look to skinny. These are just some of the differences between working in rural and metropolitan media.
What I love most of all is the ability to share the joy, laughter and tears of the community in which I live, work and play. As a media professional I am honored to be invited into their lives.
Working within the media industry has empowered me to raise my voice, the profile of the volunteer groups I have belonged to and to stand up for what I believe.
Emerging technology now enables the general public to fully engage with the media. You now have the power, don’t be afraid to use it. Debrah Novak
Volunteering
2007 Media advisor Lower Clarence Rugby League Club
2006 Launch Pacific Highway Alliance (action against upgrades)
2006 > 2002 Coordinate / MC National Media launch of the Lower Clarence Rugby League Club Magpie Pilot Project. Project Coordinator Magpie Pilot Project- Male Mentor Program. (4 years)
2003 > 1985 Chairperson / Founding member of the Lower Clarence Youth Performing Art's Committee – organise annual concert involving 6 tutors, 300 students, 600 audience.
2005 > 2002 Media Manager – Lower Clarence Rugby League Football Club, Event organiser, Assistant secretary, Strategic plan.
2003 > 2000 Co-ordinate / MC Bi Annual Debutante Ball – Yamba Surf Life Saving Club.
2003 > 1998 Co-ordinate/MC Man O Man Shows – fundraiser's.
2003 Yamba member of the PACT (Police and Community Team) Committee.
2003 Celebrity touch footy games, Youth Week Activity for youth at risk.
2005 > 1995 MC for the annual Adele Lewis School of Dance Concert.
2002 > 1998 Lower Clarence Art's and Crafts Gallery - One day a month in the Gallery/Shop, located in a very high profile position within the Tourist Information Centre on the Pacific Highway , Maclean.
2002 > 2000 Sports Announcer for Grafton's Radio 2GF Live to Air Breakfast Program covering Lower Clarence sports news and results.
2002 > 1999 Develop and co-ordinate Safe Summer Holiday Awareness Program for the Yamba Surf Lifesaving Club attended by over 3000 primary school students over 2 year period. This program was Finalist in NSW Water Safety Awards.
2002 > 1998 Yamba Surf Life Saving Club Patrol member, Age Manager, Publicity Officer and Event Organiser.
2001 Master of Ceremonies Clarence Valley Centenary of Federation Dinner.
2000 Master of Ceremonies Clarence Valley Rugby League Reunion .
1990 Co-ordinate Environmental Awareness Day For Maclean Public School
Professional and Community memberships · Media Entertainment Art's Alliance
· Lower Clarence Art's and Crafts Association
· Lower Clarence Magpie Rugby League Football Club
· Yamba Surf Life Saving Club
Achievements
2007
Finalist NRL One Community Awards (Magpie Pilot Project)2007
APN News and Media – Photographer (Daily) of the Year2006
APN News and Media – Finalist in both the Daily and Community Photographer of the Year2006
Northern NSW Media Awards - Feature Photographer of the Year2005 APN News & Media Country Community Photographer of the Year
2004 Country Press Media Awards Photographic commendation
2003 Walkley Photographic Award Suburban Regional (Commendation)
2003 Co-ordinate and participate in the national media launch of the Lower Clarence Rugby League Football Club Magpie Pilot Project – guests included (MP) Andrew Refshauge , ARL CEO Geoff Carr , NRL CEO David Gallop, NRL Coach (Parramatta Eels) Brian Smith.
2003 Stage Mario Fenech visit from the The Footy Show for the re-launch of the Lower Clarence Magpies Rugby League Football Club into the Group 1 competition. Capacity crowd at 1500.
2002 Successful application to the Department of Urban Planning (AAS) and the NRL for funding to develop male mentoring pilot project $125,000.00
A positive and trusting friendship with the local Aboriginal community.
2000 Development of water safety program “Safe Summer Holiday” for the Yamba Surf Life Saving Club, utilising the clubs cadet members to run annually with all Lower Clarence Primary Schools attending the course. Co-ordinate schools attendance along with a colouring in competition.
1995 > 2002 Successful Co-ordination and implementation of Annual Lower Clarence Youth Performing arts Concert, participants as well as schools attendance.
1995 > 1997 Successful Co-ordination of entries and exhibition for Photographic Competition in relation to Maclean Show
Lower Clarence Art's and Craft's Association Award of Excellence for Photography.
Remaining sane while raising three children (?)
