2016 June 4-5— NSW state conference report in brief

Day One saw reports from the NSW Branch office bearers and from Branch representatives on branch activities for the upcoming election.
Ranald Macdonald, National Campaign Manager, spoke about the national campaign and the aim to use humour as a selling point in the video ads.
He also mentioned the recent video on Facebook has had 500,000 views.
Quentin Dempster spoke about ‘What we have lost, what we may lose’. A death by a thousand cuts leading to lack of breadth and diversity. And he credited previous MD Mark Scott in his dealings with a difficult Board and politicians.

L–R Ranald Macdonald, Mal Hewitt, Michelle Guthrie, Jeff Waters and Quentin Dempster

Jeff Waters, National Campaign Manager, spoke about the three pronged approach to the campaign using social media, public relations and grassroots: Facebook is pervasive and inexpensive; form relationships with journalists to gain publicity; approach the public through stalls and handouts in marginal electorates.
There was time for a group rehearsal of the campaign song ‘What would I do without my ABC’.
After the evening dinner there was a panel discussion where Quentin Dempster, Jeff Waters and Richard Gates (Northern Rivers Branch) mused about the make up of the media landscape in 2026.
Day 2 brought more campaign discussion and preparation for our guest speaker and then an all in video take of the campaign song.
After morning tea, guest speaker new ABC MD, Michelle Guthrie, spoke with enthusiasm about her new role. Ms Guthrie stayed for lunch and spent time chatting with the delegates.

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