I loved watching how the Corporate Communications department at the RAC operated - how things are written, how situations are handled, how they respond to the media, and how they communicate with the rest of the organisation. However, I am very interested in being involved in public relations on a more dynamic and fast-paced level - perhaps within an industry or company in a more competitive or global environment?
Regardless, I loved my time at the RAC and I am attaching a couple of the pieces I was involved in producing...! Check out the videos... they are my claim to regional TV fame!!!
Happy work experiencing for those of you that still are!
Piece #1: Media Release I wrote about car safety
Smaller cars not always the safest
The RAC has warned consumers are putting themselves at five times the risk of death or serious injury if they decide to purchase older and smaller cars. ,
The RAC is urging used car buyers in Western Australia to make safety a priority when buying a car and to be wary of those cars which fail to meet satisfactory safety standards following the release of the 2009 Used car Safety Ratings (UCSR) report.
Research into the safety of used cars has been funded by Australia’s motoring clubs.
The annual UCSR report, which is part of an ongoing 14 year project and the largest such study in the world, is conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and has revealed that on average older cars are less safe than newer models.
RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said motorists considering buying a used car should use the results as a buying guide.
“Safety needs to be at the forefront of people’s minds when they’re buying a car. Purchasing a used car that doesn’t rate well will considerably increase their risk of injury behind the wheel if they are involved in an accident,” Mr Brown said.
“Vehicle safety has vastly improved in recent years, with a majority of newer cars rating higher than older ones.
“These improvements come from better structural designs, as well as an increase in the fitting of safety features such as the front and side airbags, and more advanced seat belt systems,”
The 2009 report indicates that cars older than 1995 are not equipped with satisfactory safety features in comparison with newer, more sophisticated models. Furthermore, the safety rating of 13 out of 19 small and light cars was found to be very poor.
This means that extra care must be taken by those in the market of buying smaller, older cars, which Mr Brown said were especially popular with young people and females.
“Used cars are very popular with first-time drivers but it’s important to remember that not all cars are as safe as others. This guide gives a good indication of how a vehicle will fare in a crash situation and that needs to be taken into account by any prospective buyers,” Mr Brown said.
“The Used Car Safety Ratings guide will help used car buyers purchase the safest car they can afford.”
The MUARC team analysed data from more than 3.6 million crashes in Australia and New Zealand between 1987 and 2006 involving 249 different vehicle types.
The results show significant differences amongst car categories, with some of the worst-rating vehicles including the Suzuki Carry (1982-2000), the Hyundai Excel/Accent (1995-2000), and the Suzuki Alto (1985-2000). Some of the best-rating cars include the VW Golf (2004-2007), the Mazda 6 (2002/2007) and the Mitsubishi Nimbus (1999-2003).
The comprehensive ratings include a score for driver protection and the vehicle’s crash impact on other road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.
From the research, older small and light cars were very problematic, although the majority of new small and light cars adhered to the required safety standards. Commercial vans and utes received low ratings due to the high injury risk they posed to both drivers and other road users when they collided. Overall, older models rated poorly in the majority of classes.
“Although pre-1995 models again dominated the worst performers, age isn’t always the best indication of safety . Some relatively new and popular vehicles such as Hyundai Getz models from 2002 to 2007 also performed poorly,” Mr Brown said.
European and Japanese designs dominated the best performers and, although some large Australian-made cars scored above average on total safety, none were rated excellent.
The Used Car Safety Ratings are calculated using data from actual crashes. They cover the most popular passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles from about five to 20 years old, the average lifetime of a used vehicle.
The RAC has warned consumers are putting themselves at five times the risk of death or serious injury if they decide to purchase older and smaller cars. ,
The RAC is urging used car buyers in Western Australia to make safety a priority when buying a car and to be wary of those cars which fail to meet satisfactory safety standards following the release of the 2009 Used car Safety Ratings (UCSR) report.
Research into the safety of used cars has been funded by Australia’s motoring clubs.
The annual UCSR report, which is part of an ongoing 14 year project and the largest such study in the world, is conducted by the Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) and has revealed that on average older cars are less safe than newer models.
RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown said motorists considering buying a used car should use the results as a buying guide.
“Safety needs to be at the forefront of people’s minds when they’re buying a car. Purchasing a used car that doesn’t rate well will considerably increase their risk of injury behind the wheel if they are involved in an accident,” Mr Brown said.
“Vehicle safety has vastly improved in recent years, with a majority of newer cars rating higher than older ones.
“These improvements come from better structural designs, as well as an increase in the fitting of safety features such as the front and side airbags, and more advanced seat belt systems,”
The 2009 report indicates that cars older than 1995 are not equipped with satisfactory safety features in comparison with newer, more sophisticated models. Furthermore, the safety rating of 13 out of 19 small and light cars was found to be very poor.
This means that extra care must be taken by those in the market of buying smaller, older cars, which Mr Brown said were especially popular with young people and females.
“Used cars are very popular with first-time drivers but it’s important to remember that not all cars are as safe as others. This guide gives a good indication of how a vehicle will fare in a crash situation and that needs to be taken into account by any prospective buyers,” Mr Brown said.
“The Used Car Safety Ratings guide will help used car buyers purchase the safest car they can afford.”
The MUARC team analysed data from more than 3.6 million crashes in Australia and New Zealand between 1987 and 2006 involving 249 different vehicle types.
The results show significant differences amongst car categories, with some of the worst-rating vehicles including the Suzuki Carry (1982-2000), the Hyundai Excel/Accent (1995-2000), and the Suzuki Alto (1985-2000). Some of the best-rating cars include the VW Golf (2004-2007), the Mazda 6 (2002/2007) and the Mitsubishi Nimbus (1999-2003).
The comprehensive ratings include a score for driver protection and the vehicle’s crash impact on other road users such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.
From the research, older small and light cars were very problematic, although the majority of new small and light cars adhered to the required safety standards. Commercial vans and utes received low ratings due to the high injury risk they posed to both drivers and other road users when they collided. Overall, older models rated poorly in the majority of classes.
“Although pre-1995 models again dominated the worst performers, age isn’t always the best indication of safety . Some relatively new and popular vehicles such as Hyundai Getz models from 2002 to 2007 also performed poorly,” Mr Brown said.
European and Japanese designs dominated the best performers and, although some large Australian-made cars scored above average on total safety, none were rated excellent.
The Used Car Safety Ratings are calculated using data from actual crashes. They cover the most popular passenger vehicles and light commercial vehicles from about five to 20 years old, the average lifetime of a used vehicle.
Piece #2: Article on bushfire saefty for Horizons magazine
Bushfire safety – protecting your home from fire during summer
With summer fast approaching, the risk of bushfires throughout Western Australia is increasing. This poses a severe threat to thousands of homes and properties, emphasising the need to check and secure your home against fires.
Even if you don’t live in an area at high risk of bushfire it’s still important to prepare for summer and fire season.
Fire accounts for 17 per cent of insurance home claims so it’s important to be prepared to ensure your family and your home are protected.
It’s a good idea to check your home and contents insurance to make sure your cover is up to date should anything unfortunate happen.
According to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA (FESA), there are a number of simple initiatives which you can implement to prepare for summer, and protect your home from bushfires.
The simplest way is to make sure that your smoke alarms are in good working condition. FESA recommends that you test them monthly and change the batteries annually.
Tidying up around your home is also recommended. Clean out your gutters and regularly sweep up dead leaves and litter, as they are both at high risk of catching alight, especially from fire embers.
Here are some more ways in which you can keep your home safe this summer:
-Identify potential fire risks around your home, such as external vents, skylights, chimneys, gutters, underfloor spaces.
-Ensure that water hoses are accessible and can reach every part of your house.
-Check the condition of your roof covering and replace any damaged or missing roof tiles.
-Remove and store any flammable substances away from the house.
-Have a Bush Fire Action Plan and emergency kit for your family and pets.
-Be aware of high fire risk days.
With summer fast approaching, the risk of bushfires throughout Western Australia is increasing. This poses a severe threat to thousands of homes and properties, emphasising the need to check and secure your home against fires.
Even if you don’t live in an area at high risk of bushfire it’s still important to prepare for summer and fire season.
Fire accounts for 17 per cent of insurance home claims so it’s important to be prepared to ensure your family and your home are protected.
It’s a good idea to check your home and contents insurance to make sure your cover is up to date should anything unfortunate happen.
According to the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of WA (FESA), there are a number of simple initiatives which you can implement to prepare for summer, and protect your home from bushfires.
The simplest way is to make sure that your smoke alarms are in good working condition. FESA recommends that you test them monthly and change the batteries annually.
Tidying up around your home is also recommended. Clean out your gutters and regularly sweep up dead leaves and litter, as they are both at high risk of catching alight, especially from fire embers.
Here are some more ways in which you can keep your home safe this summer:
-Identify potential fire risks around your home, such as external vents, skylights, chimneys, gutters, underfloor spaces.
-Ensure that water hoses are accessible and can reach every part of your house.
-Check the condition of your roof covering and replace any damaged or missing roof tiles.
-Remove and store any flammable substances away from the house.
-Have a Bush Fire Action Plan and emergency kit for your family and pets.
-Be aware of high fire risk days.
Piece #3: Article on MSSAG forums for Horizons magazine
The RAC has taken steps to help reduce the number of motorcyclists being killed or injured on Western Australian roads at the recent Motorcycle and Scooter Safety Action Group (MSSAG) Forums.
The three forums, which were attended by over 100 motorcycle riders, government officials, academics and road safety experts, produced a wide range of proposed road safety initiatives aimed at improving motorcycle and scooter safety.
RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown applauds the participants of the MSSAG forums for their contribution to exploring the issues around motorcycle and scooter safety and for developing a very real and achievable list of actions.
“Motorcycles make up about six per cent of Western Australia’s vehicle fleet – but in 2008, 17 per cent of road deaths were motorcycle riders,” Mr Brown said.
“Based on figures between 1998 and 2007, motorcycle riders were 23 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than other drivers.”
Some of the agreed actions include introducing a graduated rider training and licensing system, lobbying for the availability of ABS on all bikes, and promoting the purchase and use of star safety rated protective clothing.
The three forums, which were attended by over 100 motorcycle riders, government officials, academics and road safety experts, produced a wide range of proposed road safety initiatives aimed at improving motorcycle and scooter safety.
RAC Head of Member Advocacy Matt Brown applauds the participants of the MSSAG forums for their contribution to exploring the issues around motorcycle and scooter safety and for developing a very real and achievable list of actions.
“Motorcycles make up about six per cent of Western Australia’s vehicle fleet – but in 2008, 17 per cent of road deaths were motorcycle riders,” Mr Brown said.
“Based on figures between 1998 and 2007, motorcycle riders were 23 times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than other drivers.”
Some of the agreed actions include introducing a graduated rider training and licensing system, lobbying for the availability of ABS on all bikes, and promoting the purchase and use of star safety rated protective clothing.
Piece #4: Editorial for the internal communications Radiator magazine
Under the bonnet
Copy starts: XXX has proven his/her knowledge of road rules by correctly answering all five questions asked in the last issue of Radiator. The questions were taken from the current Western Australian Learners Permit Drive Safe book, and are an example of the type of knowledge Learner drivers must understand before they get their license. XXX has won the opportunity to boost his/her driving skills with an exciting full day Driver Enhancement course voucher.
Surprisingly, many RAC people answered these questions incorrectly – to see how you scored, the answers can be found on the RACnet at YYY.
This edition of Radiator is dedicated to showcasing the glitz and glamour of RAC Stars. Alongside a list of award nominees and recipients, readers are given a full colour double-page spread of photos as a reminder of the fun-filled and exciting night.
Radiator also congratulates the Corporate Communications team for becoming a finalist in the annual Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) Golden Target Awards, and Kerryn Galvin who received an ATA award last month. Radiator also features Safe Work Australia Week, the Protect Replacement Insurance System Migration (PRISM) competition winner, and the latest update from the Member Relationship Management (MRM) project.
