This week has been declared National Literacy and Numeracy Week by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
Scott Wassman, Katherine Regional Service Manager of Mission Australia says the week highlights how central literacy and numeracy is to be successful in everyday life.
“Poor literacy and numeracy skills are one of the many barriers to jobseekers in finding long term employment,” Mr Wassman said.
Mission Australia operates the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program in Katherine. It provides training in speaking, listening, reading and maths to adult students to help them achieve their goals whether it is pathways to sustainable employment, further study or even the skills to obtain their drivers license.
“We currently have over 30 students in Katherine participating in the program” he said.
“The program is individually tailored to each student’s need. We assist them in making a plan that helps them achieve their goals of employment, further education or overcoming other challenges affecting learning outcomes that they may face,” he said.
“For example, we noticed about three weeks ago one of our newest students Moses fiercely squinting in class. We quickly got him a consultation with a local optometrist who fitted him with his first ever prescription glasses”.
Local Member Willem Westra Van Holthe said this type of program was vital to the community.
“Reading and writing are often taken for granted but unfortunately these essential skills are not shared. These skills form the foundation from which so many aspects of our lives are formed,” said Mr Westra Van Holthe.
Mission Australia is one of the national leading providers of support services and training to jobseekers. Nationally Mission Australia has helped 1847 participants through the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program to equip them with the fundamental literacy and numeracy skills they need for life.
The program is available through Mission Australia in New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia and is free to all eligible students.
The initiative is in partnership with Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR).
Twittercue: @missionaust highlights #Katherine #topend program during National Literacy and Numeracy week http://tiny.cc/8m42x #nlnw2011
Ends...
Media Contact: Anita Brabham 89419169
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Call for Mt Todd Environmental Impact Statement
Vista Gold Corp. welcomes the release of the Draft Guidelines for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mt Todd Gold Project.
Company President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr Frederick Earnest said the release of the guidelines was a major milestone in the process of their assessment of the site as a producing gold mine.
“We are encouraged by the potential of the Mt Todd site and are currently conducting a definitive feasibility study to determine if the property can be re-opened.”
The “brownfield” site is located approximately 50km north of Katherine and 250 km south of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. The mine tenement is approximately 160,800ha.
Over the past five years, Vista Gold has taken an orderly, methodical and conservative approach to determine the future of the site.
In November 2010, The Northern Territory Government renewed its agreement with Vista Gold for the care and maintenance of the site, demonstrating both the Government’s and Vista Gold’s commitment to assessing the feasibility of developing the site.
The Northern Territory Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage, Karl Hampton MLA recently determined the requirement for an EIS under the Environmental Assessment Act.
The Draft EIS Guidelines will be available from Saturday, 27 August 2011 for public comment until Monday, 12 September 2011 from:
http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/environment/assessment/register/index.html
Members of the public wishing to gain more information on the site may contact Vista Gold through the Mt Todd project website at mttodd.com.au
“We are working closely with authorities and are committed to managing this site in an environmentally sound manner,” Mr Earnest said.
-ends-
Twittercue: Vista #Gold Corp. welcomes release of Draft EIS Guidelines for the Mt Todd Gold Project. #mining #resources #topend http://bit.ly/qahfLD
Media enquiries: Jeannette Button +618 89419169, +61 407 727 080
Company President and Chief Operating Officer, Mr Frederick Earnest said the release of the guidelines was a major milestone in the process of their assessment of the site as a producing gold mine.
“We are encouraged by the potential of the Mt Todd site and are currently conducting a definitive feasibility study to determine if the property can be re-opened.”
The “brownfield” site is located approximately 50km north of Katherine and 250 km south of Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. The mine tenement is approximately 160,800ha.
Over the past five years, Vista Gold has taken an orderly, methodical and conservative approach to determine the future of the site.
In November 2010, The Northern Territory Government renewed its agreement with Vista Gold for the care and maintenance of the site, demonstrating both the Government’s and Vista Gold’s commitment to assessing the feasibility of developing the site.
The Northern Territory Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage, Karl Hampton MLA recently determined the requirement for an EIS under the Environmental Assessment Act.
The Draft EIS Guidelines will be available from Saturday, 27 August 2011 for public comment until Monday, 12 September 2011 from:
http://www.nt.gov.au/nreta/environment/assessment/register/index.html
Members of the public wishing to gain more information on the site may contact Vista Gold through the Mt Todd project website at mttodd.com.au
“We are working closely with authorities and are committed to managing this site in an environmentally sound manner,” Mr Earnest said.
-ends-
Twittercue: Vista #Gold Corp. welcomes release of Draft EIS Guidelines for the Mt Todd Gold Project. #mining #resources #topend http://bit.ly/qahfLD
Media enquiries: Jeannette Button +618 89419169, +61 407 727 080
Mission Australia Employer Awards recognise commitment to local job seekers
Employers in the Palmerston and Casuarina areas are being encouraged to enter Mission Australia Employment Solutions’ inaugural Employer Awards aimed at recognising businesses for their contribution to transforming lives by giving someone a job.
The awards are open to all local employers using Mission Australia Employment Solutions services and who have placed a Mission Australia job seeker in the last 12 months.
Mission Australia Employment Solutions has sites in Palmerston and Casuarina.
The Palmerston and Casuarina area winners will be announced in October and will qualify for the national award to be announced in November. The national winner will be recognised at a gala dinner and will receive a $5000 prize to be used for business development.
Mission Australia Employment Solutions’ spokesperson, Janine Ashmore, said the awards were about recognising businesses that had helped local job seekers overcome unemployment by giving them a start on the path to a permanent career.
“Any employer who gives an unemployed person a chance – particularly someone who’s been out of work for a while – deserves an award,” said Ms Ashmore.
“But some employers have really gone to amazing lengths to give our job seekers a start and we want to recognise those efforts through our 2011 Employer Awards.
“The more significant a contribution to tackling unemployment – the stronger the commitment to helping a job seeker or job seekers turn their lives around – the better chance an employer has of taking away the local prize and going through to the national finals.
“We live in uncertain economic times. The costs of doing business seem to be spiralling upwards. Demonstrating the ability to think long-term and employ local job seekers in order to grow your business and support the community – despite the challenges – takes a lot of commitment. We want to recognise those efforts through our award,” said Ms Ashmore.
To enter the awards, businesses must have used the services of Mission Australia Employment Solutions and placed a Mission Australia job seeker in a position in the last 12 months.
Employers can nominate themselves or be entered by a third party. Applications for the awards can either be obtained from a local Mission Australia Employment Solutions office or via: http://www.employmentsolutions.com.au/. Nominations close Friday, 30 September.
Does ur work use @missionaust #employment solutions and are u in #darNT Enter in the Employer Awards http://tiny.cc/0t6dy #topend
Media contact:
Jeannette Button (08) 8941969 or 0407 727 080
The awards are open to all local employers using Mission Australia Employment Solutions services and who have placed a Mission Australia job seeker in the last 12 months.
Mission Australia Employment Solutions has sites in Palmerston and Casuarina.
The Palmerston and Casuarina area winners will be announced in October and will qualify for the national award to be announced in November. The national winner will be recognised at a gala dinner and will receive a $5000 prize to be used for business development.
Mission Australia Employment Solutions’ spokesperson, Janine Ashmore, said the awards were about recognising businesses that had helped local job seekers overcome unemployment by giving them a start on the path to a permanent career.
“Any employer who gives an unemployed person a chance – particularly someone who’s been out of work for a while – deserves an award,” said Ms Ashmore.
“But some employers have really gone to amazing lengths to give our job seekers a start and we want to recognise those efforts through our 2011 Employer Awards.
“The more significant a contribution to tackling unemployment – the stronger the commitment to helping a job seeker or job seekers turn their lives around – the better chance an employer has of taking away the local prize and going through to the national finals.
“We live in uncertain economic times. The costs of doing business seem to be spiralling upwards. Demonstrating the ability to think long-term and employ local job seekers in order to grow your business and support the community – despite the challenges – takes a lot of commitment. We want to recognise those efforts through our award,” said Ms Ashmore.
To enter the awards, businesses must have used the services of Mission Australia Employment Solutions and placed a Mission Australia job seeker in a position in the last 12 months.
Employers can nominate themselves or be entered by a third party. Applications for the awards can either be obtained from a local Mission Australia Employment Solutions office or via: http://www.employmentsolutions.com.au/. Nominations close Friday, 30 September.
Does ur work use @missionaust #employment solutions and are u in #darNT Enter in the Employer Awards http://tiny.cc/0t6dy #topend
Media contact:
Jeannette Button (08) 8941969 or 0407 727 080
Monday, July 25, 2011
Timor-Leste takes to the skies
The President of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Dr. Jose Ramos Horta, announced today the launch of the island nation’s own international airline Timor Air.
“It gives me the greatest of pleasure to launch our own airline and, with it, the commencement of daily full service international flights between Timor-Leste and Australia,” the President said.
“These flights will fulfil a long-held desire of the Timorese people to have broader travel options and, more importantly, a choice of airlines which now includes our own carrier.”
The Timor Air daily flights will operate between the Timor-Leste capital Dili and Darwin in Australia.
The new airline is the initiative of Jeremias (Jerry) Desousa, a Timorese refugee from Timor-Leste during the civil war of 1975, in collaboration with well-established New Zealand and Australian carrier Vincent Aviation.
The President said that the establishment of the new airline and its contribution to his nation’s economy could not be overstated.
“The benefits to our commerce, trade, industry and indeed, the pride in our social development are immeasurable,” the President said.
“The creation of Timor Air provides national brand recognition vital to the promotion of our position within the international community. It is an all important ingredient in stimulating the development of our economy, society and national identity.”
The administration headquarters of the airline will be based in Dili with Vincent Aviation providing the technical expertise and training to ensure ongoing employment, self-sufficiency and, above all, the development of a viable tourism industry where profits will remain with the East Timorese people.
Timor Air already employs Timorese cabin crew, customer relations and ground staff, and will provide ongoing and expanding training and employment opportunities for Timorese people interested in the aviation and travel sectors.
Timor Air will operate Saab 340 aircraft, with the first service between Darwin and Dili return scheduled for 25th July 2011.
Bookings can be made on the Timor Air and Vincent Aviation websites, through Harvey World Travel and Flight Centre in Australia, or with GSA Sagres Travel in Dili.
Media enquiries: Domonique Young on 8941 9169 or 0433 447 255
Twittercue: #TimorLeste takes to the skies as Pres. Jose Ramos Horta announced the launch of Timor Air in #DarwinNT today http://tiny.cc/4zu10 #topend
“It gives me the greatest of pleasure to launch our own airline and, with it, the commencement of daily full service international flights between Timor-Leste and Australia,” the President said.
“These flights will fulfil a long-held desire of the Timorese people to have broader travel options and, more importantly, a choice of airlines which now includes our own carrier.”
The Timor Air daily flights will operate between the Timor-Leste capital Dili and Darwin in Australia.
The new airline is the initiative of Jeremias (Jerry) Desousa, a Timorese refugee from Timor-Leste during the civil war of 1975, in collaboration with well-established New Zealand and Australian carrier Vincent Aviation.
The President said that the establishment of the new airline and its contribution to his nation’s economy could not be overstated.
“The benefits to our commerce, trade, industry and indeed, the pride in our social development are immeasurable,” the President said.
“The creation of Timor Air provides national brand recognition vital to the promotion of our position within the international community. It is an all important ingredient in stimulating the development of our economy, society and national identity.”
The administration headquarters of the airline will be based in Dili with Vincent Aviation providing the technical expertise and training to ensure ongoing employment, self-sufficiency and, above all, the development of a viable tourism industry where profits will remain with the East Timorese people.
Timor Air already employs Timorese cabin crew, customer relations and ground staff, and will provide ongoing and expanding training and employment opportunities for Timorese people interested in the aviation and travel sectors.
Timor Air will operate Saab 340 aircraft, with the first service between Darwin and Dili return scheduled for 25th July 2011.
Bookings can be made on the Timor Air and Vincent Aviation websites, through Harvey World Travel and Flight Centre in Australia, or with GSA Sagres Travel in Dili.
Media enquiries: Domonique Young on 8941 9169 or 0433 447 255
Twittercue: #TimorLeste takes to the skies as Pres. Jose Ramos Horta announced the launch of Timor Air in #DarwinNT today http://tiny.cc/4zu10 #topend
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Weatherman part of Craft Fair fun
Crafty and creative stallholders will take over the Darwin Waterfront this Friday when it welcomes over 2300 passengers from across the country and New Zealand. The Sun Princess Cruise Passenger Ship will dock at Fort Hill Wharf after travelling from Perth, Bali and the Kimberley Coast.The Waterfront is holding a Craft Fair that will kick off at 9am along the Wharf 1 podium off Kitchener Drive.
The Fair will display handmade wares of local designers from jewellery, to leather accessories and organic skin care products to children’s clothes.
Television personality Monte Dwyer, The Today Show's ex-weatherman turned author, videographer and musician, will be in on the action too. Dwyer will be offering his range of Red in the Centre travel books and DVDs, which showcase stories and characters from right across the country.
“My books are about the people I meet as I travel the country as a working journalist, from the nutters and nudists to the sinners and saints, and all the usual suspects in-between.
“I started my television career in Darwin and it's always been supportive of creativity, so I’m delighted to be part of the Craft Fair.”
The Craft Fair will start at 9am on Friday 22 July and wrap up at 2pm.
Twittercue: Craft Fair @Darwinwaterfront Fri 22 July 9am to 2pm. Come explore the creative talents of #Topend #DarwinNT designers and artists
Ends...
Media enquiries: Jeannette Button on 89419169
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Alice Springs residents urged to save water with new plan
A new water plan urging residents to save water is being launched today for the desert town of Alice Springs.
Alice Water Smart was launched by Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Urban Water & Sustainability.
The plan aims to reduce Alice Springs’ water use by 1600 million litres per year, equivalent to two months average water supply.
Power and Water Corporation General Manager Water Services Steve McKenzie said the plan is unique to Australia.
"Alice Water Smart is a comprehensive water saving program that gets individuals, homes and businesses to work in tandem to establish a water wise future"
"Everyone, from individuals to big business is being asked to reduce their water."
"Over the last 40 years more than half the volume of the Sydney Harbour (250,000 million litres) has been extracted from the Alice Springs bore field."
"Per household, Alice Springs residents use approximately 1,500 litres per day, which is the equivalent of 166 buckets of water."
"For the future sustainability of our groundwater supply we must preserve our water, and we are asking Alice Springs residents to become more aware of their water use and to develop water wise habits."
"In Alice approximately 65 per cent of household water use goes on to gardens, that is about 1,000 litres per day."
The Alice Water Smart consortium, led by Power and Water Corporation, comprises The Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sports (NRETAS), Arid Lands Environment Centre, Alice Springs Town Council and Tourism NT.
The $15 million Alice Water Smart Plan will include projects like home and business water audits, an expanded rebate scheme, smart irrigation for parks and ovals, improved water management and increased recycling, and installation of smart meters to allow homes and businesses to monitor water use, as outlined below:
• Reuse: Existing water reuse infrastructure will receive a $6.5 million upgraded to improve quality and increase quantity of treated wastewater to offset the use of potable water for irrigation, allowing some large water users to use recycled water for irrigation and horticulture.
• Rebates and retrofits: Funding for rebates on water-saving household items will increase from $200,000 to $1.5m. This includes water efficient shower heads, toilets, washing machines, pool covers and efficient garden products.
• Reticulation: Water pressure varies with topographical variability in Alice Springs, this, combined with the desert climatic extremes, places water infrastructure under demand so $2 million will be used to facilitate a system of better pressure management.
• Metering: Smart water meters, which allow customers to monitor their water use and help identify leaks and high water use activities, will be rolled out.
• Parks and ovals: With $1.2 million Alice Springs Town Council will install more of the telemetric irrigation control systems, which monitor weather conditions such as rainfall and humidity to irrigate efficiently. The systems can also detect leaks and shut off supply to the affected line.
• Accommodation: With $210,000 through Tourism NT, accommodation providers will be offered water audits to identify water savings. Visitors to Alice are increasingly motivated by being environmentally aware and responsible. This will aid decision making to visit by those responsible travellers and also improve experience in terms of their environmental footprint.
• Homes and Businesses: A range of household and businesses water audits to provide them with more choice in developing appropriate water saving options.
Funding of $7.5 million is being provided under the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns, a key component of the Australian Government’s long-term Water for the Future initiative.
This was matched by Power and Water Corporation with contributions from consortium members.
For more information visit http://www.alicewatersmart.com.au/
Twittercue: @AliceWaterSmart launch today, the new plan urges #alicesprings to save water http://tiny.cc/awslaunch #aws #green
Ends…
Media enquiries:
Laurelle Halford from Creative Territory on 0417 222 211 or
Lorraine Hook from Power and Water Corporation on 0401 117 599
Alice Water Smart was launched by Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Urban Water & Sustainability.
The plan aims to reduce Alice Springs’ water use by 1600 million litres per year, equivalent to two months average water supply.
Power and Water Corporation General Manager Water Services Steve McKenzie said the plan is unique to Australia.
"Alice Water Smart is a comprehensive water saving program that gets individuals, homes and businesses to work in tandem to establish a water wise future"
"Everyone, from individuals to big business is being asked to reduce their water."
"Over the last 40 years more than half the volume of the Sydney Harbour (250,000 million litres) has been extracted from the Alice Springs bore field."
"Per household, Alice Springs residents use approximately 1,500 litres per day, which is the equivalent of 166 buckets of water."
"For the future sustainability of our groundwater supply we must preserve our water, and we are asking Alice Springs residents to become more aware of their water use and to develop water wise habits."
"In Alice approximately 65 per cent of household water use goes on to gardens, that is about 1,000 litres per day."
The Alice Water Smart consortium, led by Power and Water Corporation, comprises The Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sports (NRETAS), Arid Lands Environment Centre, Alice Springs Town Council and Tourism NT.
The $15 million Alice Water Smart Plan will include projects like home and business water audits, an expanded rebate scheme, smart irrigation for parks and ovals, improved water management and increased recycling, and installation of smart meters to allow homes and businesses to monitor water use, as outlined below:
• Reuse: Existing water reuse infrastructure will receive a $6.5 million upgraded to improve quality and increase quantity of treated wastewater to offset the use of potable water for irrigation, allowing some large water users to use recycled water for irrigation and horticulture.
• Rebates and retrofits: Funding for rebates on water-saving household items will increase from $200,000 to $1.5m. This includes water efficient shower heads, toilets, washing machines, pool covers and efficient garden products.
• Reticulation: Water pressure varies with topographical variability in Alice Springs, this, combined with the desert climatic extremes, places water infrastructure under demand so $2 million will be used to facilitate a system of better pressure management.
• Metering: Smart water meters, which allow customers to monitor their water use and help identify leaks and high water use activities, will be rolled out.
• Parks and ovals: With $1.2 million Alice Springs Town Council will install more of the telemetric irrigation control systems, which monitor weather conditions such as rainfall and humidity to irrigate efficiently. The systems can also detect leaks and shut off supply to the affected line.
• Accommodation: With $210,000 through Tourism NT, accommodation providers will be offered water audits to identify water savings. Visitors to Alice are increasingly motivated by being environmentally aware and responsible. This will aid decision making to visit by those responsible travellers and also improve experience in terms of their environmental footprint.
• Homes and Businesses: A range of household and businesses water audits to provide them with more choice in developing appropriate water saving options.
Funding of $7.5 million is being provided under the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns, a key component of the Australian Government’s long-term Water for the Future initiative.
This was matched by Power and Water Corporation with contributions from consortium members.
For more information visit http://www.alicewatersmart.com.au/
Twittercue: @AliceWaterSmart launch today, the new plan urges #alicesprings to save water http://tiny.cc/awslaunch #aws #green
Ends…
Media enquiries:
Laurelle Halford from Creative Territory on 0417 222 211 or
Lorraine Hook from Power and Water Corporation on 0401 117 599
Monday, July 04, 2011
Pine Gap installs 40 household solar systems
The number of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) solar systems in Alice Springs has increased by around ten per cent with the installation of 40 systems on Pine Gap staff housing.
Each system is two kilowatts in size and together they will produce 130,000 kilowatt hours per year, which is the entire annual consumption of around 15 average Alice Springs homes.
Alice Solar City has been working with the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap (JDFPG) to help increase energy efficiency of staff housing around Alice Springs.
Margaret Larkin, Deputy Chief of the JDFPG said "It is a goal of the Joint Defence Facility Pine Pap to make a contribution to protecting the environment through energy, water and other conversation measures.”
“Increasing our energy efficiency through the use of solar energy will assist the Facility to achieve this goal”.
“The solar installations will save approximately $25,000 per year off the combined annual electricity bills of our residences.”
Alice Solar City General Manager Sam Latz says, “The 40 PV systems represent increased household energy efficiency for 10% of JDFPG’s housing stock and we congratulate them on this contribution to sustainability in Alice Springs.”
“I would like challenge the Alice Springs community to match this level of 10% of all Alice Springs homes generating electricity from the sun”.
Pine Gap resident Edward said, "It is satisfying to know that I am living in a home that benefits from solar energy while supporting the objectives of the local Alice Solar City program”.
The number of household solar PV systems has increased from two to just over 500 since Alice Springs became a solar city in March 2008.
Twittercue: Pine Gap residents install 40 household Solar Power systems to increase their energy efficiency http://tiny.cc/2n8h0 #sustainable #alice
Ends……
For media enquiries please contact Laurelle Halford from Creative Territory on 0417 222 211 or (08) 8952 9412 or laurelle@creativeterritory.com
About Alice Solar City
The Alice Springs Solar City Consortium is led by the Alice Springs Town Council and includes broad community support from the Northern Territory Government, Power and Water Corporation, Tangentyere Council, the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce, the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre and the Arid Lands Environment Centre. Funding sources include the Australian Government, the Northern Territory Government, Power and Water Corporation, and Alice Springs Town Council.
Each system is two kilowatts in size and together they will produce 130,000 kilowatt hours per year, which is the entire annual consumption of around 15 average Alice Springs homes.
Alice Solar City has been working with the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap (JDFPG) to help increase energy efficiency of staff housing around Alice Springs.
Margaret Larkin, Deputy Chief of the JDFPG said "It is a goal of the Joint Defence Facility Pine Pap to make a contribution to protecting the environment through energy, water and other conversation measures.”
“Increasing our energy efficiency through the use of solar energy will assist the Facility to achieve this goal”.
“The solar installations will save approximately $25,000 per year off the combined annual electricity bills of our residences.”
Alice Solar City General Manager Sam Latz says, “The 40 PV systems represent increased household energy efficiency for 10% of JDFPG’s housing stock and we congratulate them on this contribution to sustainability in Alice Springs.”
“I would like challenge the Alice Springs community to match this level of 10% of all Alice Springs homes generating electricity from the sun”.
Pine Gap resident Edward said, "It is satisfying to know that I am living in a home that benefits from solar energy while supporting the objectives of the local Alice Solar City program”.
The number of household solar PV systems has increased from two to just over 500 since Alice Springs became a solar city in March 2008.
Twittercue: Pine Gap residents install 40 household Solar Power systems to increase their energy efficiency http://tiny.cc/2n8h0 #sustainable #alice
Ends……
For media enquiries please contact Laurelle Halford from Creative Territory on 0417 222 211 or (08) 8952 9412 or laurelle@creativeterritory.com
About Alice Solar City
The Alice Springs Solar City Consortium is led by the Alice Springs Town Council and includes broad community support from the Northern Territory Government, Power and Water Corporation, Tangentyere Council, the Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce, the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Research Centre and the Arid Lands Environment Centre. Funding sources include the Australian Government, the Northern Territory Government, Power and Water Corporation, and Alice Springs Town Council.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
5 ways to improve your Twittercue to get your message out
By Tracy Jones
Since I wrote about the Twittercue back in April, we’ve seen an amazing take-up of this idea by social media-savvy PR professionals. (read the original post)
A Google search of the term “twittercue” pulls down more than 2400 results, a far cry from the first time we searched the term and got just 12. Our blog posts have been tweeted hundreds of times by converts and about 10 other blogs have carried posts on the topic.
Thanks everyone for spreading the word, although we’re still working on getting Wikipedia to accept Twittercue as a new term.
From watching the words spread, we’ve picked up a few more suggestions on how to make a Twittercue work better for you:
- Tweet your own Twittercue. PRs who do are more likely to see their post retweeted, sometimes hundreds of times.
- Keep your Twittercue to 120 characters or less, otherwise Tweeps have to edit your original post before retweeting. Remember: you want them to Tweet your exact words.
- Make sure you have a link back to your online media release so people can get the full story.
- If you are writing a Twittercue in an emergency situation, make sure your tweet is self-explanatory. People don’t always switch between Twitter and a web page if they are on their smart phone in the aftermath of an earthquake.
- Add appropriate hashtags.
We’d love to hear about your experience with Twittercues and find out if they have been successful for you, so please post your comments to allow us to pass your success on to others.
Twittercue: 5 ways to improve your Twittercue to get your message out #PRtips #socialmedia http://tiny.cc/e1csq
Twittercue: 5 ways to improve your Twittercue to get your message out #PRtips #socialmedia http://tiny.cc/e1csq
Monday, June 06, 2011
Darwin woman honored as a Queensland Disaster Hero
A Darwin businesswoman is being honored as a Queensland Disaster Hero by Premier Anna Bligh in Rockhampton tonight.
Accountant Rosemary Campbell went to the aid of her former home town Theodore, which was devastated by the floods in December and January.
The partner of Darwin firm Merit Partners established the Theodore Flood Recovery Appeal, raising $320,000 to date and giving a helping hand to local residents and businesses.
Rosemary said while the award recognised the many people who donated to the appeal in cash and in kind.
“The floods devastated many parts of Queensland and I wanted to do something to help my old home town,” she said.
“With the support of people across Australia, we’ve been able to help Theodore come back to life.”Theodore was completely evacuated as the flood waters rose, with few in the town escaping the devastation. Virtually every business went under, thousands of hectares of crops were destroyed and residents were forced to come home to a sea of mud.
Using Facebook to promote the appeal across Australia, the Theodore Flood Recovery Trust used an innovative approach to help the town. Much of the money raised was given to local residents as vouchers that could only be redeemed in local businesses.
“Our goal was to maximise the benefit to all of Theodore, helping both residents and businesses and keeping the money in the town. Without a viable business community, Theodore would suffer a double blow from the floods,” Rosemary said.
To donate to the appeal visit: http://tiny.cc/3uwuh
To donate to the appeal visit: http://tiny.cc/3uwuh
Twittercue: #DarwinNT woman Rosemary Campbell honored as QLD Disaster Hero. #topend #qldfloods http://tiny.cc/rcheromedal
Friday, June 03, 2011
5 steps to engagement through social media
By Tracy Jones
If you’re thinking about getting into social media, you need to employ the principle of MATES – Monitor, Act, Talk, Engage and Sustain.
These five steps will help you get started.
MONITOR: Start your social media journey by looking at what others are already saying and doing in the social media sphere. Google like crazy. Do some searches in Twitter. You may be surprised what others are already saying about you, your brand, your products and your competitors.
ACT: Take the plunge and set up some accounts. Start with Facebook and Twitter then add to your armory as you get more comfortable.
TALK: Now it’s time to say something. Start small by retweeting or sharing what others are saying. You’ll get bolder as you go along by adding your own original content and thoughts. Share your knowledge and expertise with your friends and followers. The most influential participants give something of themselves to their audiences.
ENGAGE: Now it’s time to become a real participant. Comment on other people’s posts. Reply to people who talk to you or about you. Say thanks to those who pass your posts along.
SUSTAIN: Now you’re in the space you need to participate at a sustainable level. Have a strategy for how often and when you will be posting and commenting. Dedicate resources to the task. Make it part of your job, not just a tack-on at the end of the day that is quickly forgotten when things get busy.
Creative Territory offers a mentoring package to help executives get social online. The package includes an analysis of your business and personal needs, setting up your accounts, three hours of coaching at your desk and three months of ongoing support and mentoring. Contact tracy@creativeterritory.com to find out more.
Twittercue: 5 steps to engagement through social media. #PR #socialmedia http://tiny.cc/esguk
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