I started my writing career communicating environmental and social issues after completing a degree in Environmental Science in 1998 at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales.

I’ve travelled throughout Europe, the US, South East Asia, the South Pacific and Australia and enjoy writing about people, their cultures, nature and environmental issues. For a time I lived in Switzerland and on the tiny island of Norfolk Island in the South Pacific. Two very different places.

Now I’m happy living near the town of Noosa, on the Queensland coast, Australia. I love the local environment and combine my passion for photography and hiking whenever I make time. Living on a 5-acre property of native bushland with my wife Lyndal, we both enjoy attempting to grow our own food between writing assignments. Sometimes we even succeed and manage to fill a good portion of the plate with our own produce.

Our latest project is building our own home, after spending the last four years in a home-made shed. Perhaps it’s something I might write about.

Professional stuff

Academic

• Bachelor of Environment Science. University of Newcastle, Australia.
• Diploma of Journalism

Employment

• Qualified electrical fitter/mechanic and electrical contractor (solar energy, energy efficiency) (1989-)

• Freelance writer (various travel magazines and newspapers) and editor (The Wetlander) (1998-2000)

• GreenCorps supervisor (environmental management trainer) on Norfolk Island, South Pacific (2000)

• Environmental consultant, Norfolk Island, South Pacific (2000)

• Catchment Manager - Noosa Integrated Catchment Association, Noosa, Queensland, Australia (2000-2003)

• Freelance travel and environmental photojournalist (2003-present)

• Freelance journalist and editor for Econews and ECO online (2006-present)

Memberships

Australian Journalists Association

International Travel Writers Alliance