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Debbie & Timmy
I was born and educated in Melbourne, completing the Higher School Certificate at McKinnon High School and winning the school's English Prize.
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After leaving school, I studied and played music for some years. A decade later, I got a job as a 'Publisher's Dogsbody' and spent nearly two years at Lonely Planet Publications, as a typesetter, assistant editor and editor.
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After switching to the health-care and hospitality fields, in 2007, I began a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing at Holmesglen, graduating in 2012.
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I began submitting work to newspapers and magazines whilst a student and by the course's end, was working as a freelance writer.
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My first published work was an account of the anniversary of my father's death, published by The Age in April, 2007. The paper continued to publish my work for five years - opinion and personal pieces, a feature and a news item. I still contribute.
The Big Issue magazine published a dozen of my features, short fiction and personal columns between 2008-2012. One feature is published here (under 'Features').
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My advocacy work for the Coalition Against Duck Shooting and the Orange-bellied Parrot continues. For these causes, I write and administer a long-running Facebook Page, press releases, a blog, and countless letters to the editor.
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