Kellion's Victory Award Lunch

The Kellion's Victory Award Lunch during NDW was one of my most memorable times which nearly drew a tears to my eyes.

The victory award, originated in Massaschusetts and then started in Australia as well. Dr Alan Stocks from Brisbane sent a proposal to Diabetes Australia to take over the award and commemorate Australians living with diabetes for 50,60,70 or 75 years. The Kellion Victory medal is named after the late Claude Kellion to honour his contribution toward diabetes in Australia. DWA has supported the Killion Victory Medal Scheme ever since 1984.

As this is a big achievement, DWA presented awards to four people who have lived with diabetes from 60 to 70 years.

Before the lunch, we had to go and get the lunch, of course! I followed the DWA marketing coordinator Jess, to source out what food and drinks to have at the lunch. It was quite difficult as we had so many ideas, yet we had to think what was appropriate for people living with diabetes and would be healthy as possible. We also had to get flowers for the Kellion recipients and their partners. Another thing we had to think of is that DWA is a not-for-profit organisation and it has a minimal amount of money and we have to make sure we get the most important things and budget well. Budgets are very important to follow in not-for-profit organisations as it is hard to get more funding in case the budget does go over the required amount. We are PR professionals and we need to take this into account in event management.

When we got back we had all the food and drinks needed and we had to start preparing for the lunch and awards. We had to set out everything for when the guests would arrive.

The awards and lunch was such an interesting day for me as I had the opportunity to speak to the Kellion recipients personally about how they felt recieving the award. I was moved emotionally when they all gave a speech and recieved their medals. When you see them recieve the awards, you are moved emotionally because you feel their emotion and hardship they have felt dealing with diabetes over so many years. They are so grateful to recieve the award, but also find it difficult living with it for so long. Anyone who has experienced someone living with diabetes would understand that it is not easy.

It also gave me an insight to the personal side of DWA and they host events and lunches on special occasions to meet and understand what people living with diabetes are going through. It was also great how their family members came along to support them. And how they were so appreciative of DWA having an award for people who live with diabetes.

In this case, the event management was small and simple because it was DWA employees,Kellion recipients and their family. I have never had anything to do with event management and it is either said "you love it" or "hate it." I haven't decided what my opinion is on it, as I was just helping out through the event. However, I did like helping out, but I'm not sure whether I would be able to be in charge, I only need more experience to see if that is true.

In the future, if there was an event preparation for food and drinks and the money is limited, I would consult with other DWA employees to see what is the best foods and drinks to get. This would make it a bit easier in the organisation process.

Overall, the day was a huge success and the recipients were happy with the day as well. For myself, I have a lasting memory of the personal side of DWA and I would have never thought public relations would be like this. Getting in touch with people living with diabetes in the community has opened my eyes to what community relations and not-for-profit is.

Hope you are all up to date with my experiences...I look forward to hearing more from you!