2022 –
Pursuing a PhD.
Awarded a QUT research scholarship.
Awarded a competitive grant from State Government (top 3% from more than 110 applicants).
Presented at a national think-tank conference for government and community organisations on the topic of community development for living democracy.
2020 – 2022
The successful design and delivery of a viable free-to-access 24hr self-serve perpetually co-designed open lab, the first of its kind in Australia, including implementation of a novel system that activated collaboration between industry and community for mutual progress, improved digital literacy for the community, and produced social, economic, and ecological outcomes for participants, the organisation, and the city.
The successful leadership of cross-discipline agile teams (coordinating more than 30 people from management and staff) to quickly produce high quality online programs for the city’s cultural services, which includes the design and implementation of a flatter agile system and automated workflow within a hierarchy, critical when navigating the COVID19 pandemic.
Collaboration with Ludo Studios for two episodes of Bluey.
Headhunted for my work from leading organisations in my field (locally and globally), including an offer to pursue a professional doctorate (that led to a PhD candidature selected through merit).
2017 – 2020
State and national awards, such as:
Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA)
– Queensland’s Government In-House PR Team of the Year 2018.
– Queensland’s Best Small Budget Campaign 2018.
– Australia’s Government In-House PR Team of the Year 2018.
– Highly commended Australia’s Best Small Budget Campaign 2018.
Local Government Association of Queensland LGx Awards
– Best Creative Campaign 2018.
Contributed to an exponential confidence in local government teams to produce more creative and customer-centric content, and evidence that government communication and content can simultaneously be fun and informative; to ‘inform, entertain, and inspire’.
Contributed to the exponential increase in numbers of followers on Council’s social media and the exponential increase in positive sentiment for Townsville City Council from the community.
My work mentioned by Dee Madigan (from ABC’s Gruen Transfer), “…this is how government should advertise.” Community quoting content on the street and Council staff who featured in content experiencing celebrity status.
Supported emergency response teams during natural disasters – acknowledged for commitment, communications, and community work contributed during and after natural disasters including floods and cyclones.
Headhunted to co-develop a new role for public libraries focused on digital life (selection confirmed through merit).
2015 – 2017
Successful national rebranding of the local writer’s festival from ‘Savannah: Writers’ Voices Up North Literary Festival’ to ‘Festival of Stories’, which helped to attract local and national artists such as Jackie French and Magda Szubanski.
The successful design and development of a library services automation system to the prototyping stage, which featured in a national ALIA keynote presentation that focused on innovation in public libraries, and acknowledged by the State Library of Victoria, the British Library, and venture capitalists interested in the SaaS.
Increased awareness and support of the public libraries’ role for vulnerable and minority groups, such as mothers in prison, new migrants, etc. and to help the library adapt to changing customer needs and demographics.
The library achieved an increase in the perception of value from the local community and with state and national peers, which attracted new demographics.
Headhunted by the Mayor and CEO for the Council’s newly formed communication team to provide all Council teams with access to my skills, knowledge, leadership, and creativity.
2011 – 2015
Every year, helped thousands of Australian’s produced quality content for the ABC, attracting millions of views.
Locally, developed and led a team of 30 regular content producers, and nurtured relationships with an additional 400 content contributors each year. I was able to automate 80% of the production process for my region and some participants have achieved successful careers in creative industries. The national ABC Open team won awards such as the Clarion Award and Walkley Award.
Producing the ‘Emma: Master Shredder’ story which caused policy change in German and Japanese corporations regarding the hiring of people with disabilities, crashed the ABC website via a reddit hug, and created new opportunities for Emma and her family.
Producing the ‘Faces of Townsville’ outdoor exhibition – a collaboration between private, public, and community sectors with social and economic outcomes and replicated in cities around Australia.
Headhunted by the local Council who wished to duplicate the community engagement success of the ABC Open model locally through the public library (confirmed selection through merit).
2007 – 2011
Leveraged off emerging internet technology and globalisation to travel the world, working remotely and helping clients design and develop digital strategy and online content for their business and projects. Explored 5 continents and collaborated with people, business owners and decision-makers. Worked half a day, explored half a day. Experienced the cultures of more than 30 countries. Awesome.
2000 – 2007
Early adopter in digital technology and online content for clients.
Led teams and contributed to the growth of a regional start up (just 2 of us) into a capital city based business (with 7 full-time staff and multiple commissioned staff) with local, national, and international clients (such as Coca-Cola, National Geographic, BHP Billiton,etc.) which provided the foundations for the business to evolve into an award-winning creative agency with 28+ staff, that combined with other similar agencies and listed on the Australian stock exchange. Go team!
Graduated with a Bachelors Degree.
Performed in representative and award-winning sporting teams, orchestras, and concert bands.