Work Experience at Channel Seven: Day Five

Work Experience at Channel Seven

Day Five: Friday, December 7, 2012

Day five. Last day. Already? Unfortunately.

Last night I messaged Edwina on twitter to remind her that I was keen to tag along with her again today if she would have me. She messaged back that she would be reporting on the attack of a police officer from the police centre in the city and to text her in the morning. I messaged her when I woke up and she said to be at the police centre by 7 and I could attend the big press conference with her.

I arrived at 201 Elizabeth Street just as 7am was approaching and as Eddy was getting ready to do a live cross for Sunrise. I waited and watched as she prepared what she was going to say and delivered a well-constructed, highly informing and extremely well spoken update on Detective Inspector Bryson Anderson’s death. After Eddy’s cross we packed up and made our way upstairs to set up for the police press conference. We were the first there so we set up and Eddy introduced me to the journalists and crews from the other television networks and radio stations as they arrived.

The contents of the press conference itself was horrible – hearing the details of how the police officer was killed was horrific – however, those details aside, it was awesome to see how a press conference comes together. To see how everyone arrives and sets up their equipment, gets their notepads and pens out, socialises with the other press and then the room drops to silence as soon as the official speaker walks in was an incredible opportunity. The speaker, in this case NSW Police Commissioner Scipione, spoke about yesterday’s incident and gave details, before the media asked questions to get as much information as possible and also clear up any information that might be misreported. Once the press conference was complete, Commissioner Scipione left the room and the media packed up their equipment and we all left.

NSW Police Commissioner Scipione delivering the conference

Eddy and I caught a cab back to Channel Seven, I greeted Adam and let him know where I had been all morning and then I watched the end of Sunrise out in the plaza. I had bought Mel, Eddy and Karen a bottle of champagne to thank them for everything they had done for me. Mel – for speaking to Karen for me and getting my foot in the door, Karen – for organising my week of work experience before I had arrived and overseeing me while I was there and Eddy – for going over and above to make sure I had the most beneficial, educational and fun week of work experience. I took the bottles upstairs and gave them all to Eddy as Karen and Mel weren’t there. I thanked Eddy for everything and agreed to stay in touch while I’m overseas and to contact her when I get back.

Once I had said my goodbyes upstairs I made my way back downstairs to see if there was anything Adam wanted me to do for him, but as it is Friday and the Sunrise/TMS Christmas Party was this afternoon he didn’t have anything for me to do. He gave me his email address and told me to contact him if I could somehow get credited at uni for my work experience and to let him know if I’m able to come back to Seven next year.

As today was my last day I was reluctant to leave, knowing I wasn’t going back for at least another year, so I decided to sit in the studio to watch the last hour of The Morning Show before I left.

But that was it. It’s all over, red rover.

Hopefully I’ll be back next year though!