Australian Associated Press

L2 200 Mary St, Brisbane

2007

January
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January

Steve Connolly retires from AAP Brisbane

From: Connolly Steven
: Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 4:45 PM
: To: Brisbane Bureau Users
: Subject: finishing up

: I am finishing now on Thursday January 25. Dave Donaghy will be in Brisbane same day en route to new job in Melbourne. We will have drinks somewhere that night

Paul Osbourne new Bureau Cheif

From: Osborne Paul
: Sent: Monday, 22 January 2007 10:11 AM
: To: Brisbane Journalists
: Subject: New bureau chief

: Hi all,
: It will be formally announced by Tony Gillies today but I just thought I should inform Brissie people that I have been appointed bureau chief.
: Thank you for your support and I look forward to continuing to working with you.

: I have been closely studying copies of The Office - particularly the first series..

: Cheers,
: Paul Osborne

Tony's visit and Staff meeting

Other staff and visitors in office

Dale and Alison setting up in the Interview room. Dale is in town interviewing cadiates for the Medianet vacant. position

Steve's last words

From: Connolly Steven
: Sent: Thursday, 25 January 2007 6:13 PM
: To: Journalists
: Subject: goneski

: Hi all, this is my last day at AAP after 21years and working in five different bureaus.
: I am moving on to the Sunday Mail in Brisbane next week as their chief of staff.
: I finish with a heavy heart as this has been a great ride.
: At AAP you can get to cover stories as big as the deaths of Princess Diana and Steve Irwin, mix with world leaders, rock stars and sports heroes.
: I even got to speak to the Queen one day in Brisbane during one of those 3 second long meet and greets and she asked me "what does AAP stand for?"
: I hope it stands for working with fantastic people, getting to cover great stories and whenever possible having a good time.
: If you ever get to cover an Olympics or Commonwealth games for AAP you will find we have the tightest crew of all the Australian media who when a hard day's work is done enjoy a few drinks together.
: Thanks to all those people I have worked alongside and bent the elbow with over the years.
: cheers steve

Paul's first email to staff.

From: Osborne Paul
: Subject: Bureau update


: Hi,
: I thought I should provide you with update on a few changes in the Brisbane bureau:

: 1. Deputy bureau chief. I have appointed Laine Clark as deputy bureau chief starting immediately. He will act as bureau chief in my absence and play a senior role in the bureau. Laine is an experienced reporter with exp

: 2. Courts. Suzanne Klotz leaves us on Feb 9. As an interim measure I have appointed Jade to take over the round for four months, followed by Christine for a further period of four months. The position will then be reviewed. Christine will be the back-up person for courts when Jade is not available, and vice-versa. Other reporters may also get an opportunity to cover courts as stories come up.

: 3. State political correspondent. I am seeking expressions of interest in this position. Deadline is Thursday this week. The political correspondent plays an important role in the bureau, covering parliament, helping to coordinate budget and election coverage, keeping tabs on political parties, travelling around the state with ministers and leaders, writing features etc. If you are keen I would like to hear some ideas on how you would develop the role and what you could bring to it.

: 4. Bureau chief. As you are aware this is my first day on the job. I appreciate everyone's kind thoughts. I intend to have a chat with everyone over the next month about the future direction of the bureau and get your input. (Maybe a morning tea?)
: For the record, my mobile is 0409 870 191 and home phone is 3357 4220. Home address is 77 Wesley Street, Lutwyche 4030.


: Cheers,
: Paul O

February

Mr Alan Knights (Professor of Journalism) from QUT visiting Paul.
: Mr Knights was one of the first EIC in Brisbane (Regional News Service) working out of QNP, and now teacher Journalism at QUT. Alan mentioned his co workers at RNS as Geoff Want, Kerry Lonergan (ABCTV), Mick Taylor, Glenn Dyer (Channel 10), Bernard ?
: Alan also knows Evan and some of the younger staff in the Brisbane office.

Jim Shrimpton returns

Jim a retired AAP renown journalist back at the office writing another store on Travel.

The Centre Column

Phil Dickson

Phil Dickson visiting

Suzanne Klotz

Last day as an AAP journalist 9th Feb, 2007.
Suzanne visiting office for morning tea.

AAP BRIZ NEWS

Edition #1

: Hi,
: After two weeks in the "big chair" in the post-Connolly era I thought I should bring you all up to speed with a few things happening in the bureau and in AAP generally in terms of policies. I'd also like to raise a few points about the news file - such as a few style points and errors.

: 1. Suzanne Klotz leaves us, sadly.
: Suzanne leaves today. She has been an important member of the AAP team in Brisbane since joining the company in May 1991. She has covered many of the biggest court stories of the past decade-plus. (According to my count, she has written 3,350 stories since 1995.) We wish her the best of luck in her studies and new career. The farewell will be on Tuesday, Feb 13, at 10.30ish in the "board room".

: 2. Court reporters
: As you are probably aware Jade Bilowol will be court reporter for the next four months. Then Christine Flatley will take over for the next four months, after which time the position will be reviewed. I intend to give as many people as possible experience in court reporting - which is a vital part of the daily file.

: 3. Tourism.
: Christine Flatley has been officially declared AAP's "Tourism Writer". It is a role developed by Chris Herde and Christine has made it her own with a number of features and stories that have got a good run.

: 4. Taxis.
: I'd like to encourage everyone to read the official policy on the use of taxis. Morning shift people can get a cab in, but it is preferred that you drive (if practical) or take public transport. Evening shift people can get a cab after 8.30pm, but again driving or public transport is preferred. AAP will cover the cost of parking if that is the problem. If you are on a morning shift you are NOT eligible for a taxi docket to go home. If you are on an evening shift you are NOT eligible for a docket to get to work at 1pm. I have a copy of the taxi policy if you have not seen it.

: 5. Rosters.
: Rosters are officially posted on the email system. You can read them by opening 'Public Folders', then 'All Public Folders', then 'Rosters' on your Outlook email program. It is an Excel spreadsheet file which needs to be opened by clicking on the 'Brisbane' tab at the bottom of the file. These are the most up to date rosters including changes and swaps. Anyone changes or swaps must be referred to me - and I will input them into the spreadsheet. I will also continue to email the rosters to everyone and ensure that they are done at least two weeks in advance.

: 6. Sick leave.
: If anyone has a day off on sick leave I need to be notified immediately. Once I fill out the paperwork, you need to apply for sick leave on the HR kiosk website.

: 7. Webmail.
: You can access the entire Brisbane email system remotely by going to the website https://wbm.aap.com.au/exchange This may come in handy if you have been on holidays and want to check the rosters or just check your own work email.

: 8. Mileage.
: The HR website has mileage forms with the updated mileage reimbursement figure.

: 9. Holidays.
: When you book leave, please write your request in the Red book. You also need to electronically register your leave application on the Kiosk website. I would encourage everyone to consider booking holidays as far ahead as you can.

: 10. Nikki Todd.
: Nikki Todd, our former political correspondent, is joining us again as a casual on Feb 24. She will share Saturdays with Sonja Koremans. Rachael Langford will continue to do Saturday mornings.

: 11. Wins.
: We've had a great run in The Australian over the past week with at least two stories every day. The Courier-Mail has also used a few of our stories, including a couple of bylines for Jessica. Christine was given a page lead and byline in the Courier for a story about her trip out west with Telstra. Well done. In case you are unaware, the desk IMPACTS shows where the Brisbane stories have been run around the country.

: 12. Errors.
: For those who are unaware, AAP has a style guide which you can find under the desk STYLE. It is worth paying a visit from time to time.
: Here's a few errors I have identified over the past fortnight:
: "on the cities south"
: "the police union has dimissed a review"
: "50%" (per cent)
: "the four-year plan will plan"
: "liqour stores"
: We need to file quickly but that should not stand in the way of reading over your own copy with a close eye and using the spell check. This is especially critical for those on solo shifts such as mornings and evenings. Having error-free copy actually speeds up the filing process overall.

: I greatly appreciate the work everyone is putting in.

: Cheers,
: Paul O.

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March

AFL website

Murray came to Brisbane to instruct the sporting Journalist on how to use the new Microphones.

AAP is involved in the supply of ALF stories to the AFL / Telstra web site.

New Dell laptops for Jim and Daniel

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April

Drew joins AAP from Sydney where he was a cadet. Paul assisting Drew with the latest story.

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May

Donna, Sydney Newscentre account manager visiting Darra. They had a successful sale this morning.

Work proceding on a new office next door

Alison holding the fort.

Michelle Lippey (Products Trainer from Sydney) on the left giving guidence to Rebecca Pillow on her first day in Brisbane office as the new Medianet Sales officer.