Panel Discussion - Crisis Communications: Lessons from the Earthquake

Crisis Communications: Lessons from the Earthquake

Locally renowned communicators, Stewart Osland and Bob Purser, will share their experiences from the 1989 earthquake and discuss the importance and role of communication during a crisis and how techniques used then have informed communications today. We will also hear from Julie Baird, the Newcastle Museum Director, who has curated photos and stories from the earthquake into the deeply moving exhibition Earthquake | Then and Now and Again – 30 Years. The exhibition will be open for attendees to view after the presentations. Our thanks to the Newcastle Museum for hosting the event.

•    Stewart Osland: Stewart is a retired NBN News cameraman who was at the forefront of the action on the day a 5.6-magnitude earthquake struck Newcastle on December 28, 1989. He and journalist Ross Hampton were at the Hamilton bus depot filming an interview with a union official when it hit. The camera kept rolling as the pair hurried toward Beaumont Street to see the full extent of the damage. This archival footage is still widely used today and will be shown at the event.

•    Bob Purser: Bob is a well-known Newcastle-based journalist and professional communicator who specialised in crisis and issues management and won national awards for the work he did in helping the city of Newcastle communicate during and after the earthquake.

The Professional Communicators’ Network brings together like-minded professionals to share knowledge and information, as well as a bit of fun. This event is sure to please!
Light refreshments will be provided, and drinks can be purchased for a nominal charge.

Time: 6:00-7:30 pm

Place: Newcastle Museum, 6 Workshop Way Newcastle

Bookings required
Free of charge for PCN members
$10 for non-members.

 

Any questions please contact Leslie Peters on 4962 4577.

Entrance to the event will be via the school entrance on Wright Lane - click here for a map
Please see more information on getting here