PRACTICAL: Register your Blog

I am Clint Grossmann and this is my blog …. welcome and enjoy.

I am a 40 something part time student living and working in Cairns with my amazing family.  This is my first time in higher education at University level and I am enjoying the challenge.

For a more complete picture of who I am and what I hope to achieve from a Bachelor of Professional Communication, please go to the ‘About Me’ section of the blog.

Part of my motivation for University study is to improve my writing skills.  My work as a Business Development Manager requires a high level of writing skill, but also  I would love to write a book one day.

I have written more about my goals for  COMM11007 – Media Writing under the menu heading on the blog home page.

INQUIRY: Different purpose / different writing

Two things … who’s Billy and who cares?

The moment I glanced at the article headings about Billy Slater and Racing Queensland I was highly motivated to move on.  Simply, I have no interest in horses, racing or rugby players.

Seems I am not alone, the Racing Queensland Facebook page posted a video with Billy Slater at the Tattersalls Tiara Race Days four days after the referenced articles were published with a total of 236 views and a mere 5 likes.

(Racing Queensland, 2016)

In review of the articles presented, it is evident that each has a different motivation for the message they wish to convey.

Government statement : This government written publication provides some insight into Billy Slater’s association with racing, growing up in a family passionate about horse racing.

The article clinically outlines what the agreed partnership with Slater will provide, including his appearance at regional race meetings.  The article is a statement of fact with an apparent intent to inform the reader of the agreement.

The ultimate hope is that the new ambassador, through his public profile will persuade Queenslanders to support and reinvigorate a declining racing industry that is suffering from recent media focus and controversy in Queensland.

Gold Coast Bulletin : This article was easier to read generally and reporting the same information, but it was focused toward Billy Slater the sporting personality.  The article gave a deeper insight and history into Slater’s passion for horses and racing, and previous involvement with similar programs.

The article chose not to outline Slater’s role as an ambassador for Queensland Racing.  The journalist did however elect to reference the withdrawal of another Queensland Sporting personality (Jonathan Brown – AFL footballer) as the ambassador for Greyhound racing, due to a recent scandal.

“Slater’s association comes after Brisbane Lions legend Jonathan Brown was announced as an ambassador for Queensland greyhound racing in 2014.

Brown quit his post in early 2015 after the greyhound live-baiting scandal was exposed.” (Davidson, 2016)

So what was the purpose of this final word?  What was the journalist attempting to achieve?  The answer could be evident on Billy’s own Facebook page, Paul Lemming comments …

                                                                                                                       (Lemming, 2016)

Without taking a position or offering an opinion the journalist from the Gold Coast Bulletin has led the audience to consider  Billy Slater’s decision to support the racing industry, providing the reader with a new or alternate perspective on the relationship.

References:

Davidson, B., 2016. Maroons legend Billy Slater to be announced as ambassador for Qld thoroughbred racing. [Online]
Available at: http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/racing/maroons-legend-billy-slater-to-be-announced-as-ambassador-for-qld-thoroughbred-racing/news-story/564befcf1bdd9e78480e832255cdf171
[Accessed June 2016].

Lemming, P., 2016. Facebook-Billy Slater-Always a great day at Eagle Farm for the Tattersalls Club Tiara.. [Online]
Available at: https://www.facebook.com/1BillySlater/
[Accessed 17 July 2016].

Philip, M., 2016. Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Minister for Racing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs – The Hoourable Grace Grace. [Online]
Available at: http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2016/6/24/racing-queensland-unveils-league-legend-slater-as-official-ambassador

Racing Queensland, 2016. Facebook – Racing Queensland. [Online]
Available at: https://www.facebook.com/RacingQueensland/videos/1088305734546628/?video_source=pages_finch_main_video
[Accessed 17 July 2016].

TECHNICAL: Complete Quiz 1 – Observation

Reflection:

I found the article review challenging in determining what the differences actually were.  The real understanding came as an apiphany toward the end of the blog.  It took a while but we got there in the end.

The review allowed me to see how the same information can be communicated in a way that draws a perspective or challenges the reader to consider another view.