Christopher Jolly | Events Officer Applicant
Before we get started...
I just wanted to candidly address a couple of items:
I've been working for myself for 5 years now and haven't regularly been involved with a community organisation since moving to the NW coast 9 years ago - and I am absolutely itching to be part of a team environment again and doing work that contributes towards the community.
While there are a lot of benefits in the flexibility of being self employed I've come to realise is that with that flexibility comes chaos and where I thrive best in an environment with team collaboration, structured systems, and a shared vision to rally behind.
I would love nothing more than the stability of 7.6 hour work day and the sense of pride that comes with driving home knowing that I've done a solid day's work towards something bigger than myself.
Should I be lax or lacking in my attributes I can assure you I pick up skills very quickly and I will do whatever is necessary to not only be a successful applicant but to be a valuable member of the Events Team at Devonport City Council.
Now with all that said, let's get on to the selection criterion:
Essential Criterion One
"Experience in successfully developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating a diverse range of community and cultural events, including large outdoor community events"
St John Ambulance
Despite being a first aid organisation my main interest in being a member of St John Ambulance was the opportunities provided by the Cadet wing of the organisation. Through being a Cadet, and later a Cadet Leader, I was able to undertake leadership training, help to train other Cadets in first aid and a diverse range of competencies, as well as be involved with statewide and nationwide Cadet camps.
Ranging in scale from 3 day events for 30 participants through to 6 day events for over 150 participants;
Cadet camps were multi-day events for children from ages 13 to 17 as well as the adult volunteers who helped to operate them.
Final night party at the 2013 National Cadet Camp
hosted by Tasmania
This picture was a gift from the Cadets of the
2014 Tasmanian Cadet Camp
While being the activities coordinator for the Survivor themed 2014 Tasmanian Cadet camp was a world of fun (complete with a starting race to dig up supplies from the beach, forming tribes, and a Survivor Auction towards the end with the Camp Cash they earned along the way) the definite stand out for my folio is being the Activities coordinator for the 2013 National Cadet Camp.
In 2013 Tasmania was host for the National Cadet Camp (NatCamp 2013) whereby 160 St John Ambulance Cadets and volunteers from across the country came to Hobart for the 2013 National Cadet First Aid Competitions and then kick back with fun and socialising at Woodfield Adventure Park.
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NatCamp 2013
Day 1
Tasmanian
& Interstate Arrivals
Activities:
· Welcome Packs
· Screen Printing
· Access to Sports Equipment
· Free Time to swap shirts, patches, sign mementos
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Day 2
Mixed Day of
Activities,
Prep for
National Cadet First Aid Competition,
Late Arrivals
Activities:
· Ice Breakers for the 10 mixed groups
· Scavenger Hunt
· State V State Quiz​
Day 3
National Cadet First Aid Competition
Activities:
· Formal Dinner
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Day 4
Activities Day
Activities:
· 10 Stations of Activities; first 5 stations
· Decorate Team Bandannas and Flags for Wide Game
· Wide Game: 80 v 80 Capture the Flag
· Time to Prep for Talent Show
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Day 6
Camp Wrap Up and Departures
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Activities:
· Free Time to swap shirts, patches, sign mementos​​
Day 5
Activities Day
Activities:
· 10 Stations of Activities; last 5 stations
· Wide Game: Tag Style Games
· Talent Show
· End of Camp Prizes
· Closing Night Party
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The outcome of all my efforts was successfully entertaining the camp attendees within budget and being made an honorary member of NSW Cadets. At the end of my time with St John Cadets
I was the recipient of the Grand Prior's Award.
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Weddings
From being involved with over 50 weddings I have had the privilege of not only witnessing a broad range of
Essential Criterion Two
"Working knowledge of current legislation and best practice event management principles"
Could I honestly say that I have first hand experience dealing with these situations day in, day out?
No, no I cannot. Well, at least not yet that is (fingers crossed).
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However what I can honestly say is that without Googling, asking Chat GPT, or seeking any external input this is what springs to mind when thinking of the concerns and considerations of planning a community event:
· estimated attendance/crowd size
· will the event be all ages or 18+?
· will local emergency services need to be notified of the event?
· access to water, toilets, power, first aid for attendees, vendors, and entertainment
· security requirements for attendees, vendors, entertainment
· first aid services coverage (for example; first aiders required per 10,000 people, AED's required per 10,000 people, paramedics required per 10,000 people, etc)
· will police presence be required?
· emergency protocols, exit point bottlenecks, clear and easy to follow signage in case of emergency
· identifying the ability for emergency services to access all areas of the event (including when full of attendees)
· identifying potential risks and hazards and how they can be controlled
· identifying potential setbacks and corresponding resolutions or protocols
· RSA requirements such as ability to access food and non-alcoholic drinks
· identifying potential for noise pollution, light pollution, impedance to traffic and other neighborhood impacts that require either approval from stakeholders and/or notifying local residents and businesses.
And a bonus one that probably isn't part of legislation:
· identifying and/or creating points of interest to act as impromptu meeting points for attendees; such as between friends upon entry or parents and children who become separated
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Essential Criterion Three
"Demonstrated experience in event marketing and communications including graphic design and implementation of social media campaigns for events"
Here's some highlights from my folio of work:
Client: Mt Gnomon Farm
Project: Fire & Mountain Festival hype video
Use: Distribution to stakeholders,
event promotion the following year
Role: Produced, filmed, edited the video
Client: Big hArt
Project: Watershed Opening Weekend video
Use: Distribution to stakeholders
Role: Produced, filmed, edited the video
Client: Stephanie Reynolds
Project: Fashioned with Flair highlight video
Use: Distribution to stakeholders and volunteers, use in Stephanie's folio for self promotion
Role: Produced, filmed, edited the video
Client: Stephanie Reynolds
Project: Universe of Paper teaser video
Use: Distribution to stakeholders and volunteers, use in Stephanie's folio for self promotion
Role: Produced, filmed, edited the video
Client: Devonport Repertory Theater Society
Project: Boy Girl Wall Poster
Use: Online and Print
Role: Volunteered as Photographer and Graphic Designer
Client: Ulverstone Repertory Theater Society
Project: Get Smart Poster
Use: Online and Print
Role: Volunteered as Photographer and Graphic Designer
BEFORE
BEFORE
AFTER
Client: Ulverstone Repertory Theater Society
Project: Logo Refresh
Use: Online and Print
Role: Volunteered as Graphic Designer
AFTER
Client: Girl Guides Devonport
Project: Dry Shampoo Label Refresh
Use: Print
Role: Volunteered as Graphic Designer
Essential Criterion Four
"Experience in coordinating group processes, and maintaining effective working relationships with members of the community, public and private organisations, and all levels of Government"
I cannot think of a greater way to demonstrate these attributes than by simply providing this glowing written reference from
the principle of Rosny College:
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To Whom It May Concern,
Chris attended Rosny College for two years, 2008-2009, as a full-time student.
During that time he was an integral and respected member of the Rosny College Student Representative Council (SRC). As the convenor of the SRC during that period, it has been my immense pleasure to have worked closely with Chris.
Chris gave two successful years to the SRC, firstly as a general member then as President
from June 2008 to June 2009. During that time, Chris displayed very strong leadership skills, being the chairman at meetings, maintaining unity and also encouraging each member to contribute to the SRC's plans.
He is a highly creative and enterprising student. His skills were often put to use by Rosny College at special events as well as lunchtime activities. I have admired his resilience and flexibility as he has often been torn between schoolwork, SRC activities and the demands of part-time jobs outside of school. He was able to maintain a balanced and optimistic outlook despite these pressures.
Chris also has first-rate public speaking skills, being a confident and resourceful speaker. He spoke at assemblies as well as forums of students and staff. In SRC meetings he maintained a firm control of agendas by using his voice.
His energy and vivacity engages people quickly. I have marvelled at his ability to undertake many activities both inside and outside of college, yet maintain the work demands of his subjects. He has a cheerfui aisposition and a delightful sense of humour; his engaging wit making many laugh aloud.
I have no hesitation in recommending Chris to any prospective employer seeking a talented, adaptable and intelligent person. He would be an asset in any situation that best suits his many talents and abilities.
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Robin Fox
Principle
November 2009
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Meeting Kevin Rudd
representing the
Rosny College SRC
Essential Criterion Five
"Strong verbal and written communication skills including public relations with the ability to negotiate with community members; and proven ability to prepare correspondence, procedures, forms, and reports"
Over the past 5 years as a Videographer I've utilised a Client Relationship Manager platform to streamline the process of professional correspondence with clients. As an example with wedding clients I would have pre-formatted emails ready to be sent automatically at key intervals in the lead up to the couple's wedding day. In these emails would be questionaires, tips and tricks for wedding planning, sharing information about myself to build trust, and requests for information to help build my work flow schedule for the wedding day.
Here's the email I had set to send automatically after a client signed their online contract:
Heck yeah (CLIENT FIRST NAME)!
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Congratulations on getting your videography sorted! Consider that big task ticked off the wedding to-do list.
Ok, now what happens next and what can you expect from me before the big day?
Next week l will send you my general guide to factoring videography into your wedding day schedule. This guide will give you a rough indication of how much time I spend on different parts of the day, but it's totally dependent on you two and how you want your wedding to roll.
Then I'll be touching base every couple of months to see how you're going and offer some tips and tricks along the way.
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When it gets to two months before your wedding day I'll send a massive questionnaire that will consolidate and confirm all the key information to allow me to form my detailed videography timeline for my own work schedule. I'll also be checking in just before the big day just to see if there's been any last-minute schedule changes and whether you're the good type of nervous :)
Thank you both so much again! If you ever have any questions or if there's anything else I'll be able to help you with along the way let me know as I'm more than happy to help you out in any way I can.
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All the best,
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Chris Jolly
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One thing to note is this email is the first time I sign off using a more casual 'Chris' instead of Christopher; which I utilise to confirm a sense of established familiarity and a more candid discourse between the couple and myself.
For an example of a form I have created from scratch please click the button below to download my Wedding Services Menu for 2024/25
Essential Criterion Six
"Sound organisational and planning skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks,
plan and prioritise workloads, balance competing priorities and meet deadlines"
In my first media job as a video editor for a marketing company I worked on over 400 television commercials in a 2 year period. During this time there were many occasions where I was given a blank script, a logo, and an allotted amount of time to create something from nothing.
Later when I moved to Devonport and became the Senior Editor at local production company, Cultivate Productions, I was again in the familiar situation of being provided only footage from a filming session and no script and had to create an 8 minute cooking or educational video. As the senior editor I then had to translate my workflow and creative choices into a repeatable system that my team of editors could follow in order to deliver 65 episodes of Television per season, for two seasons, by the required due dates.
To help with scheduling I enjoy utilising physical tools and systems; for example in my office I have a rung of hanging clipboards with each board containing a project and it's various check lists for progress stages. I also greatly enjoy continually working on more efficient ways complete repetitive tasks and finding ways to reduce time wastage for myself and helping others to do the same.
Desirable Criterion One
"A tertiary qualification in event management, tourism, community development,
or other relevant discipline"
Tertiary Qualification? No.
VET Qualification in Tourism Operations with an award for being a top student in the state? Yes.
Desirable Criterion Two
"Experience in sourcing and retaining external sponsorship and grants"
During the 2020 pandemic I applied for and received a government business grant.
As a videographer who works with artists, the arts, and community organisations I have become privy to the landscape of appeasing sponsors via my clients, and altering productions or creating specialty video content specifically to appease sponsors.
Desirable Criterion Three
"Knowledge and experience of the Local Government operating environment and issues affecting Council"
I anticipate a government operating environment will involve having many checks and procedures for tasks, division of tasks to individual departments and specialists, and the need to maintain a positive work presence at all times in order to reduce the occurrence of friction between processes.
As to the issues affecting Council; I anticipate that this would regard public perception of council processes and projects, being aware that the public are likely to perceive each council staff member as a representative for the entire organisation of Devonport City Council, and ensuring that all endeavors come with needing to balance the needs/wants of the broader public with the needs/wants of key stakeholds.
Clearances and Checks
Legally entitled to work within Australia: Yes, I am an Australian Citizen
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National Police Clearance: Pending Return of Result - Anticipated Result: "No Record"
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Evidence of current Drivers License: License Number D02863
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Working with Vulnerable People Registration: Pending Approval - Anticipated Result: "Approved"
Declaration
I, Christopher Jolly, confirm that I have answered all questions honestly and to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false or misleading information or withholding relevant information, may result in the withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal.
SIGNED
Sunday March 30, 2025
DATE
Thank you for this opportunity.