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CV
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE I am an accredited journalist working for Fairfax Media, currently at The Ballarat Courier. I am a former ABC Rural and ABC Local/Regional cross-media reporter and producer with an extremely strong background in building media presence both in radio and especially online. I specialise in creating strong trusted profiles on social media platforms, and in generating public interest in stories that have an agricultural or rural background. I was part of the NSW Country Hour team nominated for a Walkley Award in 2007 for coverage of the Equine Influenza outbreak. SKILLS Journalist, writer, editor, photographer, film maker, film editor, community relations, social media strategy, accurate and fast copy editing, script and speech writing, report writing, mediation, broad interests and communication skills. ACHIEVEMENTS Took ABC Rural from a radio-oriented format to a multimedia, modern operation, training staff and refocussing output from singularly radio content to media-rich online content. Produced stories of national significance, and covered breaking news wherever possible. Took a financially-troubled business from a $5,000 deficit to a $50,000 profit in under four years by refocussing priorities and reforming accounting practices. Work in non-profit sectors, inspiring change and financial success by forming cohesive groups that work to the betterment of clearly-defined goals. Built my own home from scratch, managing all aspects of the build, liaising with contractors where necessary, sourcing new and recycled materials to construct a modern, challenging design in a rural setting. EDUCATION and Qualifications Accredited journalist since 2003 BA (Hons) Arts/Literature 1989 Diploma of Dramatic Art Drama 1995 Institutions: University of Sydney, 1984 - 1989. Victorian College of the Arts, 1992, 1994-1995. CAREER SUMMARY January 2015 - present DIGITAL JOURNALIST: Fairfax Media Working as a journalist in digital and print media, sourcing multi media stories and opinion for The Ballarat Courier. October - December 2015 PUBLIC RELATIONS: Central Highlands Water Managing media relations for a regional water body, writing press releases and co-ordinating events. November 2003 - August 2015 ONLINE PRODUCER/RURAL REPORTER/CROSS-MEDIA REPORTER: Australian Broadcasting Corporation Sourcing and creating stories and reports for the ABC’s Rural Department and ABC Local/Regional Radio. Responsible for building and maintaining the ABC Rural website, overseeing ABC Rural’s move into social media, and providing guidelines, strategies and reports on all aspects of online media for ABC Rural. Responsible for training of ABC Rural staff in online content, including photography and video. Responsible for sourcing outside contributors. Responsible for a high level of editorial rigour in all online content, detecting inaccuracies, mistakes or bias in reports. Rebuilt ABC Rural portal in conjunction with ABC management. Wrote, photographed and filmed stories for ABC Rural, ABC Local/Regional, RN (Radio National) and ABC News. First reporter on the scene to cover the 2011 Carisbrook flooding. Responsible to: National editor ABC Rural June 2002 – November 2003 SELF-EMPLOYED LANDSCAPING AND GARDEN DESIGN Working with local clients to design and implement gardens in the Maryborough-Castlemaine region. All aspects – paths, paving, plant selection, site preparation. SELF-EMPLOYED BUILDING CONTRACTOR Building prefabricated sheds in all areas of central and south-western Victoria. September 1998 - June 2002 MANAGER: West St Kilda Returned Services League Club Manager of West St Kilda RSL Club. Responsible for all aspects of club management, including hiring of staff, bar and function management, liaising with Victorian RSL and ANZAC House representatives; organising ANZAC and Remembrance Day marches. Took the club from a $5,000 deficit in 1998 to a bank balance of $50,000 in five years. February 1988 - September 1998 SENIOR SUPERVISOR: Roy Morgan Research Centre Coordinating phone polling for surveys and election polling. Management of staff, hiring and training. Managing up to 200 hundred polling staff across Australia at any moment, conducting election polling, government studies and product polling. 1986-87 RESEARCHER: Ord Minnett Researched companies and stocks for leading brokers. 1985-86 BAR MANAGER and cellarman: the Commercial Hotel, Parkes NSW. GENERAL HAND: Grain Elevators Board and Grain Handling Authority, NSW. 1983-1985 BARMAN: the Collector Tavern, Parramatta, NSW. NON-PROFIT AND COMMUNITY WORK 2003-2006 Founding chair and co-ordinator, Talbot Farmers’ Market steering committee, and the first committee of management. Sought grants and instruction for the founding of what is now one of Victoria’s leading market tourist attractions – the Talbot Farmer’s Market. Chaired the committee of management and oversaw all accounts and profits, ensuring they were reinvested into the community and to assist in the growth and good governance of the market. Managed media and advertising campaigns on a limited budget, ensuring good media saturation on a minimal investment base. 2005 -2009 President; McCallums Creek Landcare Group Managed this group of farmers and residents involved in the preservation and reclamation of farming land. Accessed grants for tree-planting and a major restoration of a section of McCallums Creek in central Victoria. Provided workshops on planting suitable species for windbreaks and mitigation of flood damage. 2006 – Present Secretary: Majorca Town Hall and Parks Committee (inc.) Overseeing the financial well-being and maintenance of the historic Majorca Town Hall building and adjoining memorial parks and gardens. Managed a $170,000 extension via grant to the existing building 2013- 2014, acquitting all returns to local and state government bodies, managing accounts with building contractors, ensuring the build ran to time and budget and site-managing when available. Obtained a $25,000 grant for upgrading of paths and general safety. Secretary: Carisbrook Cricket Club Managing the week to week running of a successful sporting club, ensuring it adheres to modern OHS practices, responsible serving of alcohol protocols at functions, and liaising with other sporting bodies and state government departments. Managed the access and implementation of a $50,000 state government grant for the removal of an outdated concrete cricket pitch and its replacement with turf at the Carisbrook Recreation Reserve. Treasurer: Majorca Cemetery Trust Maintenance of accounts for the trust. Obtained a $10,000 grant for roadway restoration and refurbishment. AS AN ACTOR: Professionally trained actor (VCA 1992-1995). Worked in films (Chopper, 2001; Hotel de Love, 1995, Roy Holsdotter Live, 2003); theatre, including the Melbourne Theatre Company; television including Blue Heelers, and for the ABC and the BBC. Voice-over artist for the ABC to present day. KEY I.T. SKILLS All current content management systems e.g. Core Media. All Microsoft and Apple programs, Adobe Photoshop and Elements. All current online social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, GooglePlus, Tumblr, Instagram, Reddit and so on). PERSONAL DETAILS Other: Driver; full clean licence Interests and Activities Currently include: Horse riding, farming, gardening and vegetable growing, carpentry. I have worked as a professional actor and voice-over presenter since the 1980s, in theatre, film and television. I am a published poet, and maintain a constant in writing, film, music, visual art, history and regional and rural engagement in the arts. References are available on request |