Sun Feb 25 2007
Turn adversity into opportunity in the media
IT’S not what happens to you that matters, it’s how you react to it that counts.
I recently turned adversity into opportunity by using personal experiences of crime to help promote a higher social awareness of the serious issue in the media, as well as promote myself.
About three months ago, I had my car window smashed in Southport and a new $800 mobile phone stolen.
At the Waitangi Day festival at Pizzey Park on February 4, I had my bag stolen from the bar about 4pm. I lost all my keys, cash, cards, phone, make-up etc.
The whole exercise cost me about $1000 and a lot of inconvenience -- breaking into my own house, changing locks, phone, car keys etc.
The following weekend, I had my possessions ransacked in my friend's car in Conrad Jupiter's carpark.
My friend had his phone and some cigarettes stolen, the male thief made a mess of the car, smashing the air vent and my valued Secret DVD into about 50 pieces.
Another week later, on two consecutive days, a friend had her van broken into outside her house at Oxenford.
A few days after that incident, another friend had her bag stolen from the stage at The Grand Hotel in Labrador.
Champion surfer Mitch Coleborn had his car, containing his laptop, 10 surfboards and credit card, stolen at Duranbah on Valentine's Day during a 30-minute photo shoot on the beach.
The thieves then brazenly used the credit card to make $4000 worth of purchases at a Pacific Fair jewellery store.
I have since heard numerous other horror stories of people having purses snatched from their bags while shopping and kids being abused by thieves while their parents weren't looking to snatch the bag in their possession.
The Gold Coast seems to be turning into the crime capital of Australia.
Sadly, our beautiful city is becoming more and more like parts of Europe, such as Italy, where thieves will do anything to snatch your bag or wallet from you.
While these are ‘just possessions’ and everything can be replaced, the crimes are still violations of the spirit. What comes around goes around and karma will strike back at these people.
I wrote a Letter to the Editor about my thoughts and sent it out to various south-east Queensland and northern NSW media.
The Daily News and Gold Coast Bulletin ran it within a few days and the others will soon follow suit.
Newspapers are always looking for Letters to the Editor so this is a great opportunity for you to voice your opinions and concerns in society, as well as your notes of gratitude.
The social message I wanted to portray is: You just can't be too careful nowadays. There are sharks everywhere.
The business message is: Look at the message behind whatever adversity may happen to cross your path. I believe everything happens for a reason – it’s just a matter of finding it! Ask yourself how you can use ‘dramas’ to your advantage and gain some free media exposure in the process.
Think outside the square and don’t be afraid to approach the media. They are looking for news and it’s up to each of us to deliver it to them. Speak up and be counted people!
- Aldwyn Altuney, AA Xposé Media Director/ Photojournalist, www.aaxpose.com
*** This article is free to use in newsletters or on websites, with attribution. Please first run your plans by Aldwyn on 0409 895 055. Thanks.
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