Fishbowl Public Relations portfolio

North East Greenhouse Alliance – Socioencomic Adaptation Planning project – communications support
This project identified the social and economic impacts of a variable climate and worked to develop local solutions to help residents and businesses prepare and adjust.

Fishbowl Public Relations was part of the project team with Socom and The Regional Development Company, appointed to deliver the communication and consultation support for this project. The project finished in December 2011.

"Birgit is a joy to work with. She has a sound understanding of communication, a common sense approach and an excellent ability to get to the heart of a problem quickly and efficiently.

As a sub-contractor to Socom, Birgit has developed a good rapport with the clients and been able to deliver solutions rather than problems. I have no hesitation in recommending Birgit." David Hawkins, Socom Chairman

Rural Councils Victoria
The Rural Councils Victoria (RCV) network represents Victoria’s 38 rural councils in an advocacy role to the Victorian and Australian governments, industry and community groups and regional advisory bodies.

Birgit Schonafinger from Fishbowl Public Relations, who has extensive experience in the local government sector, provides communications and public relations support to the RCV Programs Advisor.

North East Victoria Adapting to a Low Water Future, Phase 3 – Stakeholders Behavioural Study and Analysis
Fishbowl Public Relations was part of a team with The Regional Development Company and Marsden Jacob Associates delivering this project for the North East Green House Alliance. The main purpose of this study was to identify the drivers and barriers for key stakeholders in the north east which help or hinder them in implementing critical actions for Adapting to a Low Water Future. This project finished in December 2011.

Solar North East (some of the coverage)
Fishbowl Public Relations was selected to develop and implement a media and communications strategy for this $1million program. Solar North East is a collaborative initiative of 7 north east Councils and Sustainability Victoria to help residents and businesses reduce energy consumption and generate their own electricity through solar technology.

"As the project manager of a government funded community solar power project, I have engaged Birgit at Fishbowl Public Relations for a range of specific promotional activities at various stages of the program.  Because of the volatility in the regulatory environment there has been a need to act quickly to address legislative changes and communicate effectively with households participating in the project. Birgit was able to handle these tasks reliably and effectively and at very short notice that allowed me to focus on developing the design of the project.

Her connections with key media outlets in the North East of Victoria have been invaluable in promoting the project and in one case capitalising on a fraudulent rival offer which helped gain further awareness of the project.

Further, Birgit has been invaluable with the design of key promotional tools such as case studies, press releases and providing advice on other key communications.  I would have no hesitation in recommending Fishbowl Public Relations." Tim Shilling, Project Manager

Freeman on Ford 5 Star Bed and Breakfast
Following extensive renovations to Beechworth’s only 5 Star Bed and Breakfast, owners Heidi Freeman and Jim Didolis sought assistance from Fishbowl Public Relations to organise an official opening, featuring the then Minister for Tourism. This has been followed by an ongoing publicity campaign to showcase all that Freeman on Ford has to offer.

"Birgit is a well organised person and a pleasure to do business with. Her time management skills are outstanding as is her extremely professional demeanour. I would highly recommend Birgit to get results and her "no nonsense" approach is highly valued. I could not recommend her enough." Heidi Freeman, Owner

Workforce on Tap - Public Relations services
Workforce on Tap operates in the labour hire and recruitment markets with branches in Bendigo, Shepparton, Wagga Wagga and Albury. Workforce on Tap has a reputation for looking after its people - clients and staff. Fishbowl Public Relations supports management to ensure the focus is always on these key relationships.

We do this by providing a range of services from newsletter production and client information sessions, through to media liaison and specialised relationship management activities.

"Birgit Schonafinger was hired by my organisation to raise our profile in market regions where we operate. Through her firm, Fishbowl Public Relations, her creative approach, recommendations, media contacts and the delivery of projects on time she has provided us with a very successful formula which has greatly assisted us in achieving our goal.

Her professional involvement with our middle management team and her assistance at client functions has helped Workforce on Tap and Fishbowl Public Relations create a very strong and mutually beneficial business relationship. Her involvement with this organisation is ongoing. 
I highly recommend Birgit and Fishbowl Public Relations to any organisation with a message that needs to be professionally presented to a wide audience." Keiran Laurent, Managing Director

Mt Buffalo Chalet - Mt Buffalo Community Enterprise Pty Ltd (some of the coverage)
The Mt Buffalo Community Enterprise has investigated options for the viable and sustainable operation of the Mt Buffalo Chalet - an international tourism icon located in north east Victoria.

Fishbowl Public Relations helped the Community Enterprise board prepare information for the government announcement of their successful tender, provided media relations advice and managed all media inquiries.

Department of Planning and Community Development - Hume Region - 2010 Case study series
The Department wanted to highlight the achievements and learnings from its key projects through a series of case studies. Fishbowl Public Relations interviewed those who were involved and affected by the projects, to consider broad community views.

Strathbogie Shire Council - 2010 - 2011 Budget campaign
With Council considering raising rates by 4% and introducing an 11% Infrastructure Catch-up Levy, Fishbowl Public Relations worked with Council to deliver its key messages through targeted communication. Importantly, Council wanted ratepayers to understand why the 11% levy was required.

The result was a strong community response. This included large attendances at public meetings where the planned rise was explained, as well as 94 individual submissions and more than 480 signatures on a petition. This provided Council with valuable feedback, much of which Council took on board.

Local Voices Shaping Our Future - Media campaign (some of the coverage)
These forums were going to be held using a deliberative democracy process which was complex to explain. The media strategy focused on clear messages distinguishing this process from ‘regular’ community engagement and explaining that participants would be selected to reflect the local community’s demographic. In order to meet this selection criteria, people would be randomly phoned to ask if they would like to take part. The strategy included pre-event media opportunities so that people would know something about the project before they were phoned.

Two forums were held; one in the Alpine Shire and the other in the Rural City of Wangaratta. Both were considered major successes and made recommendations to each council on the question, “How do we work together to respond to a varying climate?”

HomeGround Services, Melbourne - social media projects