Generally speaking

A twenty-something Melbourne-based writer, who happens to be pretty tricky with a camera and design software as well. I am a writer by trade, but launch onto anything related to the creative process - be it writing, photography, design... coffee making (apparently I'll do anything). Even after all the pieces I've written, I still get major kicks from putting pen to paper, including that little naughty tickle of satisfaction when I type something that I find particularly striking (even though it's usually the lamest joke you could imagine). And when photographing or designing, I'll allow a brief moment of smug satisfaction to take over - as I'm still honestly quite surprised with my own capabilities in those areas. Combine all three and you have yourself an eager little media-all rounder.

Early career

Straight out of school in 1998, I shunned university because I didn't know what I wanted to do. I ended up doing every 17 year olds dream and working at Nintendo full-time, on their 1900 game play helpline - helping callers who were stuck while playing through their Nintendo games. After two years, I moved on to Commander Communications - a dull-sounding job in their technical support area, but I loved it nonetheless. Another two years later, the company restructured and made my department redundant - normally bad news, but it left me with a bit of a windfall which I used to fund an overseas jaunt. In June 2003, I left Melbourne and landed in London, where I would live for the next year and a half.

London

I figured living and working in a bar was the done thing for Australians on a working holiday in Britain, so that's how I spent my first six months. I'd never worked behind a bar before, and wouldn't you know it - it's so much fun. I really enjoyed my time at the pub, but after six months the shocking pay conditions forced me to look for other work. A chance 'friend-of-a-friend' moment led to an interview for an editorial assistant position at a publishing house - an interview I must've aced, because I was offered the job the next day.

Editorial Assisting

My UK publishing career, ironically, began on Australia Day 2004 at CBC Media. Expectations of making coffee and answering phones were soon met; I'm proud to report that I now make a mean cup of tea - and that's coming from the English, so that has to count for something. Those expectations were soon exceeded however, when the opportunity for me to write my first piece for publication came about. A profile on none other than Brad Pitt for Club News, a staff benefits magazine for the NHS (the British equivalent of Medicare). Little did I know at the time, but it's actually the 24th largest magazine in the UK, with a readership of well over half a million.

I soon advanced to the position  to staff writer (in function only, not title - bugger), filling any editorial gaps as required and representing the titles at press and trade events. Highlights from this time include meeting and interviewing Kath and Kim, and organising then supervising a fashion shoot for reFRESH in an upmarket Berlin hotel. Unfortunately I was soon to get my first taste of the topsy-turvy world of publishing - CBC Media (at the time) went into liquidation, and its assets were bought out by newly-formed Swan Publishing. The new owners were looking at ways to reduce costs, and besides other employees such as in finance and production, a temporarily-yours Australian editorial assistant was an easy target. And so began my freelance career.

Freelance

My first assignment came about quite suddenly after my departure from Swan - several pieces for Harrod's Estates, the magazine for the property arm of the world-famous department store. Writing about multi-million pound yachts and gifts was quite an eye-opener, and it also helped shape the discipline required to work freelance to a deadline. I soon began writing for QX International, a street press gay clubbing title. If I thought Harrod's Estates had a tough deadline, I was soon to face the ultimate - seven clubs over one weekend, Friday to Sunday, with my 2000 word piece due Monday morning at 10am. I thought it would be the hardest work I'd ever do, but funnily enough, it's some of the work I'm most proud of.

Homeward bound

The party was over in October 2004 - the timing was right for me to come home. I had achieved my goals overseas, and returned home afresh. Upon my return, out of sheer convenience I contacted reFRESH Australia and was soon writing for them. It was short-lived however, as they went out of business straight after the issue I contributed for. I like to think there was no coincidence.

Around the same time, I scoped out other freelance opportunities - which led to my first assignment for MCV. It was a small clubbing piece around Christmas time, but it obviously did the trick because now, almost a year later, I'm still writing for them - two columns on weekly basis; one of those being (my personal favourite) Clubber's Guide To... series, a piss-take look at the world of clubbing.

Photography

I'll be the first to admit that I am not a trained photographer. In fact, my start in photography came about as MCV needed a Scene Photographer, and it made logical sense for me to do it as I'm their Scene Editor. From shaky beginnings with the scene pix, I've learnt the ropes and am now very proud of my work. I've since been the official photographer for dance party Raw Hide, and my clubbing photographs have appeared in various publications and ads. I'm out on the town almost every week with my camera, snapping pics of Melbourne's finest, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Education

From the comfort of my homeland (read: parental support), I decided it was time to get some education. I'm currently studying Magazine Writing & Editing at RMIT's School of Creative Media, and loving it. I've completed the Design and Editing & Sub-Editing modules, and am now completing the Writing and Production modules under the tutelage of Ted Cowham, sub-editor of BRW, and Melinda Houston, feature writer for Sunday Life and Good Weekend (among other publications).

Design

The lesser-developed of my skills, but a new venture I'm attacking with gusto none-the-less. I'm proficient in Quark through the Design module of my course, and am very skilled in Photoshop following a stint as an online advertising specialist at Sensis. This website also stands as a testament to my design skills - most of it was created using Photoshop for the graphics, and Microsoft Frontpage for the web design.

Random factoids of varying interest

- Through my work in various publications in Australia and the UK, I've reached an accumulated readership of over a million people. And now counting you, it's a million and one. Aww, too bad - there's a prize for being the one millionth and second reader...

- My number one hate is coughing while still chewing either pastry products or meat.

- Friends tell me off for blurting out, "Nice weather we've been having lately" during lulls in conversation.

- Two random words that were inexplicably stuck in my head for a week: "Terracotta Gargoyle".

- My favourite joke in the world: Q. How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb? A. One, but it takes a long, long time, and the light bulb has to want to change.

- The series of work I'm most proud of is my 'Clubber's Guide To...' series for MCV. It was one of my first initiations when I took on the scene editor role at the paper, and from all accounts it's now evolving to be an avenue for me to bag out different segments of the readership on a weekly basis. People love it though, and if I ever meet people out and about that read the paper they always mention it... and then tell me what I should write about next week. So I fancy myself as a bit of a Carrie Bradshaw-type now, except without the shoes. And the sex. And the New York back drop. And the friends. Hmm... thank god I have this laptop.