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Today marked the official last day of my placement at Our Future Cities. It was all about wrapping things up and tying loose ends. With both podcasts completed, our final task was to create trailers for each episode. This process was relatively straightforward—snipping out key moments or intriguing dialogue from the podcasts to capture the audience's attention. It was fun to revisit some of the best parts of our work and shape them into engaging previews.

Aside from that, we worked on publishing ideas for future projects and other small wrap-up tasks, none of which took too much time. It felt really satisfying to finish everything on a high note, knowing that we successfully completed all our placement goals. Phew, we did 100 hours! I’m so happy to have had this opportunity at Our Future Cities and to contribute to the impactful work of their NGO.

To make the day even more special, my supervisor Paul offered me a role as a volunteer member within the organisation. I’m super excited to take it on and continue supporting Our Future Cities in making a positive impact on the community. This placement has been such a rewarding experience, and I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned and the connections I’ve made along the way. It’s been an unforgettable journey!

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Day 17 - Placement Log

Today was a bit of a break from the usual routine as we came together for a final group meeting to reflect on our journey throughout the placement. With the end of our time at Our Future Cities approaching, it was a chance to look back on how far we’ve come, share our accomplishments, and talk about the lessons we’ve learned. It was inspiring to hear how each of us had grown and contributed to the organisation in unique ways.

After the meeting, I focused on grinding through the final touches of editing the second podcast. Completing it felt like a major achievement and a satisfying way to cap off all the hard work that went into producing these episodes. Knowing the podcast is ready to make an impact felt incredibly rewarding.

The meeting ended with a lot of heartfelt goodbyes and even some happy tears as we celebrated not only the work we’ve done but also the friendships and connections we’ve made. While it’s bittersweet to wrap up this chapter, I feel incredibly proud of what I’ve accomplished and grateful for the chance to enhance my skills and add meaningful experience to my resume. It’s been an unforgettable experience!

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Today was all about diving into the editing process for the podcast episode with Dr Dinesh Palipana. After the excitement of yesterday’s interview, it was time to turn our recorded conversation into a polished episode. Editing is always an intensive process, and today was no exception.

I started by reviewing the full recording, listening carefully to identify key moments and insights that would resonate most with our audience. It was a rewarding experience to hear the interview again, as Dr Palipana shared so many thought-provoking ideas and personal anecdotes. Once I had a good sense of the highlights, I began trimming the audio, cutting out any pauses, repetitions, or technical hiccups to ensure a seamless listening experience.

The editing process also involved fine-tuning the audio quality—balancing the sound levels, reducing background noise, and ensuring both voices were clear and crisp. Since this interview was conducted over Zoom, I paid extra attention to the audio to ensure it met a professional standard.

As I worked through the episode, I found myself appreciating how much thought and care goes into creating a podcast that feels cohesive and engaging. While it’s a time-consuming task, seeing the episode take shape is incredibly satisfying. By the end of the day, I had a strong first cut ready and made notes on areas I might tweak further during the final polish.

It was a focused and productive day, and I’m looking forward to putting the finishing touches on this episode soon!

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Today was the much-anticipated interview with Dr Dinesh Palipana! Although I was well-prepared, I couldn’t shake the nerves, especially knowing the interview was on Zoom. I worried about potential issues like sound quality or a poor connection, but thankfully, everything went smoothly, and I had a fantastic conversation with him.

Dr Palipana was incredibly kind and engaging, making the entire process feel natural and enjoyable. Knowing he’s also from Sri Lanka, it was wonderful to connect over our shared background and talk a little about home—it added a personal touch to the interview and made the experience even more special.

Later in the day, as I was scrolling through my phone, I noticed that he had sent me a connection request on LinkedIn. While our professional paths are quite different, it felt like an excellent networking opportunity and a meaningful way to stay connected with someone of his prominence. Today’s experience was both fulfilling and motivating, and I’m excited to see how this podcast episode will come together.

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One of the requirements of our placement was to create a “How to Podcast” document, recording the entire process of producing our podcasts from start to finish. Since I had already prepared for my second podcast and was waiting for the interview day, I decided to focus on writing up this document.

I began crafting a detailed podcast journey guide, highlighting every step I’ve taken throughout the placement. This included everything from brainstorming topics, researching, and cold emailing potential interviewees, to the more technical aspects like setting up microphones, conducting interviews, and editing the final episodes for submission. I aimed to make the document both informative and reflective, outlining not just what I did but also what I learned along the way.

It was a great opportunity to look back on my progress and appreciate how much I’ve developed in terms of organisation, communication, and technical skills. By the end of the day, I had a comprehensive draft of the document, which felt like a meaningful way to encapsulate my placement experience while creating something useful for future interns.

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Today brought exciting progress as I finally received a confirmed date for my interview with Dr Dinesh Palipana. However, with the interview scheduled very close to the end of my placement, I realised I needed to carefully plan my time to ensure everything would be completed on schedule. This meant balancing preparation for the upcoming interview while continuing to refine other aspects of my work.

To get started, I drafted an extensive list of questions for Dr Palipana. I aimed to cover key aspects of his journey, his work, and his insights on accessibility and inclusivity, while keeping the conversation engaging and relatable for our audience. Once I had my initial draft, I shared it with one of my supervisors for feedback. Their expertise was invaluable in helping me refine the questions, ensuring they were thoughtful, clear, and aligned with the podcast’s objectives. This collaborative process gave me more confidence about the structure and flow of the upcoming interview.

While waiting for the interview date, I also focused on finalising the editing for the first podcast with Dr Crystal Legacy. This involved completing all the polishing and touch-ups to ensure the episode was seamless, engaging, and ready for release. It felt rewarding to put the finishing touches on this project, marking a major milestone in my placement.

Overall, today was a productive mix of preparation and completion. With the first podcast wrapped up and plans for the second one coming together, I’m feeling motivated and excited about what’s to come in the final stretch of this placement.

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Today brought some fantastic news—I secured an interview with Dr. Dinesh Palipana! Dr. Palipana is an accomplished doctor, lawyer, and advocate for disability rights. He’s also Queensland’s first quadriplegic medical graduate and one of the most prominent voices in discussions around accessibility and inclusivity.

I was absolutely thrilled (and honestly a little starstruck) to have the opportunity to interview someone of his caliber. His story is so inspiring, and being able to delve into his life journey and his perspectives will undoubtedly enrich the podcast. I feel it will resonate deeply with our future listeners, especially those who can connect with his experiences or find empowerment in his story.

I wasn’t expecting his response at all—after all, he’s a busy doctor, so I assumed my cold email might go unnoticed. But to my surprise, he replied! Without wasting time, I began brainstorming and putting together a list of thoughtful questions to guide the conversation. Crafting these questions felt especially important for such a prominent figure, as I want to ensure the podcast captures the depth of his experiences while aligning with the theme of accessibility.

I’m excited to see how this interview unfolds and confident it will be a highlight of the podcast!

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While awaiting responses from potential interviewees, I focused on finalizing Assessment 2: the Oral Presentation. This assignment required me to describe the organizational structure of Our Future Cities, outline my role within the workplace, and explain how the placement aligns with my field of study and future career aspirations.

I dedicated a significant amount of time to designing the slides, ensuring they were visually appealing and effectively conveyed my key points. The real challenge, however, was putting together the script and practising it - I spent hours refining it to ensure it flowed well and aligned with my presentation slides. It took a lot of effort (and patience), but I finally polished it and was ready to submit.

The process was time-intensive but ultimately rewarding, as it allowed me to reflect on my role and how this experience contributes to my professional development.

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Today was back to brainstorming as I took a break from the nearly finished editing of our first podcast, leaving only the polishing stage. With that project almost wrapped up, I shifted my focus to planning our second episode.

Following a similar process as with the first podcast, I started researching potential topics. After a lot of reading and consideration, I decided to focus on the important theme of disability and accessibility.

Once the topic was finalized, I began the familiar task of cold emailing potential interviewees—crafting thoughtful messages and hoping to hear back from someone willing to share their insights and experiences. It was a quiet day spent sitting at my laptop, researching, typing, and reaching out, but it felt productive knowing I was laying the groundwork for another meaningful episode.

Although it was a low-key day, the process of selecting a topic and reaching out to experts reminded me of the excitement and possibilities that come with creating these podcasts.

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Today was a refreshing break from the usual routine as we all headed off to CERES Community Environment Park for Our Future Cities’ AGM and planning day for 2025. It was such a wonderful opportunity to step away from our desks and meet the entire team, including the board of directors and members from other parts of the organization, such as the business strategy group and other key contributors who help make Our Future Cities what it is.

The day was all about connection, collaboration, and planning for the future. We kicked things off by learning about the history of the organization—its milestones, challenges, and successes—which really gave me a better understanding of the work and vision behind OFC. It was inspiring to hear about the impact the team has had so far and their ambitious goals for 2025.

We spent a significant part of the day plotting out dates and activities on a calendar, brainstorming events, projects, and campaigns for the upcoming year. It was a collaborative effort where everyone’s ideas were welcomed and discussed, which made it feel very inclusive and productive. Being a part of this process gave me a sense of how much thought and coordination goes into running an organization like OFC.

The atmosphere at CERES was fantastic—peaceful, energizing, and perfect for fostering creativity and team spirit. Overall, it was a day of bonding, learning, and strategizing, leaving me even more motivated and excited to contribute to OFC’s future projects!

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Today was a quieter, more solitary day as I dove into editing the first podcast with Dr. Crystal Legacy. It was a great opportunity to explore new software while also putting the skills and knowledge I’ve gained from my Media and Communications degree into practice.

It was just me, my laptop, and my AirPods, fully immersed in the editing process. While it felt rewarding to shape the podcast and refine it for our audience, I won’t lie—it got a bit monotonous listening to the same few lines over and over, trying to decide which parts to keep and which to cut. The process required a lot of patience and attention to detail, but I know it’s worth it to create a polished and engaging final product.

Even though today was a bit repetitive, it felt good to see the podcast starting to come together. Each small tweak brings us closer to the finished episode, and that’s something to look forward to!

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Ahhh, today was nerve-wracking but exciting because it was finally the day we recorded our podcast with Dr. Crystal Legacy! Yu and I teamed up for this one and headed off to the University of Melbourne for the recording. The good weather and the calming atmosphere of the campus helped settle my nerves a bit before the big moment.

Once we started chatting with Crystal, things felt a lot easier and more relaxed. She was incredibly warm and reassured us that it was okay to be new to podcasting and make mistakes along the way. Her encouragement to embrace the learning process and keep creating podcasts really boosted our confidence.

Before starting the recording, we took time to discuss the intro, release plans, and how the podcast would be used, ensuring Crystal was fully comfortable and aware of the process. She was so insightful and shared her thoughts with such clarity and passion, making the conversation flow naturally.

We’re confident we captured some excellent content for our future listeners, and I can’t wait to start editing and bringing this episode to life. It’s amazing to see our project taking shape!

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Today was an interesting and dynamic day as we welcomed four new students from Monash University to the podcast team! Meeting new people from different academic and personal backgrounds was a refreshing experience and a great opportunity for both networking and teamwork. It’s always exciting to collaborate with others who bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the table.

Since we’re all working on developing podcasts for Our Future Cities, it felt comforting to have a larger group to share progress, exchange input, and seek feedback. The sense of team spirit made the task feel less daunting, and I could already sense how valuable it would be to have more people to bounce ideas off of.

In the spotlight of the photo attached is Fanni, our podcast head, who has been nothing short of amazing. Her supportive nature and encouragement have made this journey so much smoother for all of us. Seeing her leadership style in action has been inspiring—she fosters collaboration while making everyone feel comfortable and heard.

It was a productive day, but more than that, it felt like the start of building a strong and creative team dynamic. Here’s to more teamwork and shared learning ahead!

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Today was a relatively short but productive day. I spent part of the morning brainstorming other potential topics for the second podcast. It’s been an interesting challenge to balance creativity with aligning the topics to Our Future Cities’ core themes of community and sustainability.

A significant part of the day was dedicated to submitting my first assignment for LTU3IND, titled Induction and Goal Setting. This assignment required me to reflect on my current skill set and identify areas for growth during the placement. I took the opportunity to set some clear SMART goals, focusing on enhancing my confidence in communication, refining my podcast production skills, and deepening my understanding of sustainability topics. Reflecting on my strengths and areas for improvement gave me a fresh perspective on what I hope to achieve during this internship.

After completing the assignment, I turned my attention back to preparing for my upcoming interview with Crystal Legacy. I spent time researching more about her work and achievements, diving into articles and publications she’s contributed to. I wanted to ensure I had a strong understanding of her background and could keep the conversation flowing naturally during the interview. It was almost like studying for an exam—except the stakes felt higher because I didn’t want to freeze up or stumble mid-conversation!

Overall, while today wasn’t as action-packed, it felt meaningful to take the time for both self-reflection and preparation. Every step is helping me feel more confident and ready for what’s next!

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Today was a thrilling day as I finally secured an interviewee for my first podcast! Crystal Legacy, a leading expert in urban planning and sustainable city development, agreed to be part of the project. Crystal is a prominent academic at the University of Melbourne who has published extensively on urban governance, planning, and sustainability, making her an ideal guest for a podcast on the 15-minute city model. I was beyond excited to have someone of her caliber on board.

Wasting no time, I immediately began drafting up interview questions. I wanted to ensure the questions were engaging, insightful, and aligned with both the topic and the mission of Our Future Cities. After carefully crafting my list, I sent them over to Fanni, the podcast head, for feedback. Fanni’s experience in hosting her own podcasts was invaluable, and I wanted to ensure my questions were well-structured and effective from her perspective.

It felt great to take this significant step forward, and I’m eager to refine the questions based on Fanni’s input and prepare for the actual interview!

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Today, I focused on figuring out who I wanted to interview for the first podcast. The topic I decided to explore is the 15-minute city, which aligns perfectly with Our Future Cities' mission of fostering sustainable and community-focused urban development.

I spent several hours researching and identifying potential interviewees who could provide insightful perspectives on this topic. This included academics, urban planners, and community leaders who have expertise or experience in sustainable city design. Once I had a solid list of candidates, I typed up and sent out cold emails to several people, introducing myself and explaining the purpose of the podcast and the organization’s goals.

It was a time-consuming process to craft personalized emails for each person and ensure the messaging was clear and professional. By the end of the day, my fingers were crossed that at least one of them would respond positively. It felt like a big step forward in bringing the project to life, even though there’s still a lot to do!

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Today marked the beginning of my 100-hour placement, and it started with an introduction to the team and my partner, Yu, who is another student from La Trobe University. During our first meeting, we were given an overview of the company, Our Future Cities, and a breakdown of what would be expected of us during our internship. It was quite overwhelming initially, as there was a lot to take in regarding their vision, mission, and how our work would align with their goals.

After the meeting, I spent time outlining and allocating tasks over the next couple of weeks. This involved scheduling and figuring out a structure for what I wanted to accomplish within the placement period. Our key responsibilities as interns is to produce and publish two podcasts from start to finish, which felt both exciting and daunting.

Throughout the day, I began brainstorming podcast topics that would align with Our Future Cities' focus on community and sustainability. Being a media student, these themes are somewhat foreign to me, so I dedicated a few hours to understanding the company’s purpose and values better. This research helped me start thinking about potential topics that would resonate with their vision while staying relevant to my skills and interests. It was a productive first day of planning and learning!