Presenter
Past speaking includes keynote speaker, Society of Women Writers (NSW); MC, Wangaratta Festival of Jazz & Blues; president addresses, Editors Victoria; formal and informal speaking as manager, Warmun Art Centre.
Wordy-Gurdy on the Radio
‘Wordy-Gurdy on the radio’ is my monthly radio spot – 9.30–10 a.m., 3rd Wednesday, on Melbourne’s PBS106.7FM since 2006. On it, I curate rare and excellent blues, jazz and other roots music, telling its stories for a local and international audience accessing the show both live and on demand.
I also present two- and three-hour shows as fills for regular presenters.
Music judge
Since 2004, I’ve been a judge for Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society – MBAS International Blues Challenge has produced more winners of the International Blues Challenge than any other blues club in the world. Another MBAS competition I’m proud to judge is the VicTas Blues Awards. Music Victoria added me to their judge roster in 2021.
Visual artist
A practice of drawing botanic art and travel sketchbooks has developed for me over the past few years, revisiting drawing skills from my years as jewellery and fashion designer, sign writer and graphic artist.
The two complement each other – whereas a piece of botanic art is highly detailed and can take months, travel sketches can be done on the fly.
My first solo exhibition was held at East Melbourne Library, 1–31 August 2024.
Training, teaching, mentoring
Dance Steps was a colourful, creative way to run a freelance creative business that I ran for about 10 years. Editors Victoria had invited me to present a course to teach business skills in the wake of the general publisher shift to hiring freelance rather than in-house editors.
After presenting it regularly for editors since 2012, I adapted it for Writers Victoria. The training formats varied in length and delivery mode, eventually morphing into bespoke topics.
My work continues as mentor to developing writers.