Communications officer

THE council has appointed a communications officer. While I believe the position should have initially been on a part-time basis rather than full time, the move is a positive one which should result in a better flow of information from the council to the public. I hope one of the early outcomes will be the reinstatement of the council newsletter. 

Councillors were recently advised that the general manager had appointed Karen Gower-Bradley to the position and she started work on June 5. We were advised that the purpose of the Communications Officer position is "to co-ordinate, develop and maintain effective internal and external communication and consultation strategies, stakeholder engagement and electronic media assets to assist in implementation/service delivery, and the promotion, of corporate image and work of the organisation."

 

The following information has been provided to councillors:

 

"Karen launched her career in media and communications after she graduated from Australian Film, Television and Radio School in Sydney, NSW. She went on to work at Hobart’s 7HO Radio Station as a newsreader and then as an announcer. She has worked with commercial and ABC radio and television in both NSW and Tasmania. These roles were presenter/journalist positions in light entertainment, straight news and in current affairs.

 

"Karen has worked for International Public Relations, where she managed accounts for some of Australia’s leading brands including Motorola, Pedigree, the Advance Australia Foundation and Hobart based clients, the Royal Agricultural Society and the Hobart Wine Show. Karen has previously worked in complex and high pressure environments such as The Australian Army, Telstra, Child Support Agency and Queensland Health. Her roles included media, marketing and public affairs for national consultancies, local, state and federal government, plus roles in telecommunications sales and marketing.

 

"Karen’s most recent role was Communication Co-ordinator at Hobart City Mission. During her time there she has overseen communications activities, including the re-branding of Hobart City Mission and the development of a Communications Strategic Plan. She has offered developmental support to Hobart City Mission’s social media presence which included the creation of video items produced for social and mainstream media. She has organised some major fundraising events including an art exhibition, the Great Southern Pram Push and the Fashion Exchange, as well as managed shared events with the Festival of Voices and Share the Dignity. She has provided media training for Hobart City Mission managers, recruitment and training of a volunteer communications team, the supervision of two Communications interns from UTAS and the creation of two major fundraising campaigns in both media and mail-out form."

Welcome, Karen.