Bernadette O’Brien

Manager 

A highly experienced, knowledgeable and professional media professional, Bernie worked as reporter, subeditor and production coordinator before turning to public relations. She has specialised in media liaison and communications for the past 10 years, promoting businesses and organisations in the energy, mining, education and government sectors. 

Qualified 

Thirty years’ experience in the media as a reporter, subeditor and editorial coordinator, working on regional and rural Australian publications, with a particular focus on central and western Victoria. More than a decade working in public relations as a media and communications advisor.

Connected 

Bernie has successfully managed the media and communications strategies of clients including Stawell Gold Mines, Federation University, Hazeldene’s Chicken Farm, Neoen, Ballarat Business Awards and local government organisations. Her strategic thinking skills are complemented by an ability to produce highly effective communication materials, such as media releases, crisis management statements, feature articles, government briefs, website content and award submissions.

Technical Experience

  • Provide crisis communications and media support for workplace fatalities, positive COVID-19 workplace cases and food tampering

  • Developed community engagement materials for Neoen, a major player in the renewable energy field in Australia and internationally including engagement plan, a community engagement operational manual, government briefs, a memorandum of understanding, media releases, letters to stakeholders and government representatives, project updates and sponsorship terms and agreements.

  • Developed communication strategies and produced internal and external communications for Stawell Gold Mines for more than 10 years. 

  • Prepared government lobbying papers, direct mails, regional investment plans and media materials for local government organisations and their joint bodies, including the City of Ballarat, Moorabool Shire, Northern Grampians Shire, Pyrenees Shire, Committee for Portland and Central Highlands Councils.

  • Produced communications materials for Hazeldene’s Chicken Farm on projects including crisis management, government lobbying, product launch, general promotion and a website upgrade.

  • Developed on-target communications to boost the profile of the Ballarat Business Awards. Materials included sponsorship enticements and agreements, website copy, nomination forms, category questionnaires, media alerts and releases, tv and radio commercials, invitations, speaker notes and contracts with entertainers, function centres and suppliers.