At the start of this year, I made a list of what I wanted to achieve; pass all units, have an internship or two, lose weight and have a job for the end of the year or secure my spot on a graduate program.
I had it all mapped out and up until August it was all going to plan, I then got offered a temporary contract communications role with the Royal Agricultural Society of WA (RASWA) and my whole plan was out the window and my whole life was turned upside down.
[Note: RASWA are the owners of Claremont Showgrounds and the organisers of the Perth Royal Show]
As I had been interviewed and offered the job within four days, I started to panic; what about my internship? What about my retail job? How would I balance work, university, another job, my internship and having a social life?
After a few deep breaths I realised, I can quit my current job as the opportunity on offer was within the industry, I could take 3 hours off on a Tuesday morning attend university and make up the hours throughout the week, I could have a small break from my internship and return and my social life.. well that could wait!
I had it all planned out… or for now anyway, yet my conscious was still bugging me with guilt that I hadn’t stuck to my original plan.
I learnt after a conversation with those closest to me and those who I look up to that this opportunity was a chance I may never get again – 3 months in the biggest stand alone event in Western Australian (The 2019 Perth Royal Show), and the chance to make industry connections and networks with the largest media outlets in WA (Channel 9, 7 & 10 – The West Australian – Hit92.9, Nova93.7, RedFM .. just to name a few).
This is why I have also had a break from my blog posts here and why you may have wondered if I had gone missing (no I have not, and you can call off the search team haha).
I have been busy loving (and low key hating at times) my whole experience as the PR and Communications coordinator at RASWA. I have made lifelong friends and many industry connections throughout publishing, television and radio.
I have learnt life lessons of expertise in the public relations field through writing, general communication and media etiquette, how to deal with big personalities both internal and external to the organisation and overall how an organisations marketing/PR department works.
A few images from my RASWA journey are below … just a few highlights from the 3 months I completed (Most from the 2019 Perth Royal Show break).

The 2019 Perth Royal Show Marketing Team

Tracey Vo doing a Live Broadcast from the Channel 9 Activation Zone on site..

2019 Flight Centre Firework Spectacular
Watch this space as I return to the Western Australian police Union to complete my reflective practice journey – and remember not everything goes to plan and it doesn’t matter! Work at your own time and do what makes you happy.
Thanks for reading.

Amazing Rhiannon!!!! What an incredible opportunity!
I’m glad you realised that its ok things go off scheduled, and I think that sometimes the best things happen unplanned. I know you love you a good plan, but its brilliant to see that not only did you embrace the chaos of your planning slightly derailing, but you found a way to readjust and still achieve your goals.
Congrats on it all, this is awesome!!
PS one of my favourite sayings about plans is “life happens while your busy making plans…” 😛
Thanks Charlotte! It was an amazing experience and I am very thankful I had the opportunity to complete the role and be apart of WA’s biggest stand alone event.
I sure do love a good plan – and you would know better than anyone else after working on assignments with me haha – I think I might have to take that quote write it down and have it on my calendar and diary just to keep myself re-assured.
An incredible achievement, you should be very proud 🙂
Hahaha I sure do! But I love a plan also so totally get where you are coming from.
All the best,
Charlotte
This all sounds so amazing, Rhiannon! You took the courage to quit your stable retail job and nailed this industry job all while balancing uni work too!
I think it’s fantastic that you had a plan for the year and although things did come up out of surprise, you had the resiliency and adapted your plan of attack! If you ask me, this trait is way more valuable than simply, following a structure!
It would be very interesting to hear if you have noticed your work at the Western Australian police Union has improved now since you have experience from the RASWA!
I’m really excited to read more!
Thanks Emily.
That’s it – my retail job was so table and I was very comfortable after four years there!
I have definitely noticed a change – with today being my first day back at the WA Police Union, I have already noticed just my etiquette and attitude towards myself as an intern and workplace has blossomed and I have got a new found confidence in my abilities and budding PR professional.