Writing examples

Professional writing to add flair to any project

If you need to produce clear and meaningful written material that engages your audience, contact Cinden. 

She’ll help you produce top notch content that meets your needs.

Here are just some examples of past work. Note, government department names were correct at the time.

Even the suburban backyard is not immune to organised crime. The number of clandestine laboratories in Australia today is triple the amount detected at the start of the decade. And there is a growing trend to locate clan labs in residential areas. Drugs such as ice and MDMA are manufactured or ‘cooked’ in these improvised labs.

Case study, Australian Crime Commission 2009–10 Annual Report

From dynamic application forms to built-in calculators and automation, we are using innovative technology to improve the way we work. This, in turn, is reducing the regulatory burden on our clients and other stakeholders.

Feature, Clean Energy Regulator Annual Report 2015–16

• Annual reports – writing and editing award-winning annual reports including for the Digital Transformation Agency, Clean Energy Regulator, Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, and Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (formerly, Australian Crime Commission). The aim is to produce engaging reports that meet requirements while telling strong stories about the agencies, their partnerships and their value to the Australian community. This involves working with clients to agree on report structures, preferred approaches and case study highlights. It includes researching background details, reviewing available content, interviewing subject matter experts, suggesting diagrams and layout options, writing and editing content, and incorporating (usually minimal) client feedback.
• Annual reviews – writing introductory messages for the minister, chairman and director for Questacon’s annual reviews from 2017 to 2021. This included researching content related to the review themes and using the right tone of voice for each message. Also editing remaining review content.
• Administrative reports – writing, re-writing and editing sections of the Renewable Energy Target administrative reports from 2014 to 2018.

Our consular response to the global pandemic is the largest and most complex in our history. In 2020–21 we assisted more than 30,000 Australian citizens and permanent residents overseas affected by COVID-19.

Consular State of Play 2020–21

From proud past to bright future … The Launceston City Deal will build on the region’s natural advantages to increase Launceston’s reputation as an attractive place to live and work.

Launceston City Deal

• Consular assistance – writing the Consular State of Play reports from 2018 to 2021, presenting statistical information in clear, engaging, plain English and suggesting options for presenting data in meaningful and consistent ways.
• City Deal – writing the introduction to the Launceston City Deal to strengthen the narrative and editing the remainder for consistency and clarity. Also writing talking points, key messages, a snapshot brochure and media releases.
• New scheme – writing and editing the initial material introducing the NDIS. This included assisting with introductory brochures, topic-specific fact sheets, video scripts and web content. The aim was to produce user-friendly material that was easy to understand and clearly explained how the new scheme works.
• Campaign materials – researching and writing materials including a ministerial Op Ed and a conversation guide resource for a national campaign aimed at changing behaviours and attitudes related to family and domestic violence.

The whiteboard in Kylie Burgess’ office tells a story about the power of community. It’s covered in notes and ideas about turning local knowledge and lived experience into positive change for the community of Burnie in Tasmania’s north-west.

Dusseldorp Forum newsletter article 2022

It is easy to take the flick of a light switch for granted. However, those in the industry realise that a complex suite of requirements underpins the sale of lighting products in Australia.

Illuminate no 3, Lighting Council Australia newsletter 2011

• Community impact – interviewing talent and writing stories for Dusseldorp Forum newsletter articles to highlight support for initiatives that demonstrate positive, long-term change.

• Industry information – establishing Lighting Council Australia’s original quarterly Illuminate newsletter, including writing and coordinating graphic design. This involved reviewing background information and conducting interviews as needed to write the content in a broadly accessible way, as well as working with the design studio to identify images and plan layout. Related work involved writing and coordinating design of point-of-sale materials, specialist journal articles, and media materials and news articles for the SPARC International Lighting Event 2011 and 2013.

Australia is a world leader in many aspects of dementia research and treatment. We have a unique opportunity to leverage our research strengths, and enhance collaboration both within Australia and internationally, to delver real time, real world outcomes.

• National Institutes Grant reports – writing summaries about a wide range of researched funded through the National Institutes Grant for inclusion in the Australian National University annual reports from 2021 to 2023, as well as a standalone grants report in 2020.
• Dementia research outcomes – writing, rewriting and editing content for a report on early outcomes of projects funded through the NHMRC National Institute for Dementia Research. This included advising on report structure, reviewing background information, writing and editing content, and coordinating graphic design. Also interviewed grant recipients to write further researcher profiles and researched and wrote feature newsletter articles promoting the outcomes of this research support.

You may consider that promoting your garden’s many values is too time consuming, daunting or expensive to add to your other responsibilities. This toolkit makes it easier for you by providing core resources that can reduce the preparation time and increase your confidence and skills.

• Members’ toolkit – researching and developing a communications toolkit for BGANZ members. The toolkit helps members with limited resources to effectively communicate about social, environmental and economic value of gardens. Work included desktop research, an online member survey and in-depth interviews. The toolkit contains a communications strategy framework, key messages, a professional PowerPoint presentation and talking points, fact sheets and core editorial.
• Orientation program – developing an orientation program for new employees and their mangers at the Clean Energy Regulator. This involved reviewing existing information, recommending appropriate format and structure, and writing required content.
• Information pack – reviewing a range of existing materials and producing a consolidated, professional core package of information about the Athlete Career and Education program at the Australian Institute of Sport.
• Staff toolkit – developing content for an internal communications toolkit for the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to make it easier for staff to be responsive, effective and consistent in communicating about the department’s story, including its role and priorities.

When the Australian flag flies and the anthem plays for our medal-winning athletes, we feel inspired and united as a nation. Those unforgettable moments are the result of years of hard work and team effort that propels our elite athletes to success on the world stage.

London bound 2012 fact sheet, Australian Sports Commission

• Backgrounders – developing a series of background fact sheets for the Australian Sports Commission, describing the range of Australian Government sports funding in the lead up to the London 2012 Olympics.
• Fact sheets, brochures, plaques – developing a series of information materials about places on the National Heritage List such as the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Bondi Beach, the Australian Alps, Bonegilla Migrant Camp and the Australian Academy of Science (the Shine Dome).
• Fact sheets and articles – researching and writing fact sheets and articles for regional newspapers about different aspects of the Australian Government’s support for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. Topics included Australian Government support, the Queen’s Baton Relay, security, volunteer program, elite athletes with a disability, technical officials and the cultural program.

In the early morning Bronwyn and her son Billy are at the beach. Bronwyn is really enjoying the surf, calling ‘Woo-hoo’ as she catches waves while Billy sits on the sand clapping, ‘Good one Mummy, good one’. This is their short reprieve each day before heading back to hospital for Billy’s latest round of treatment.

‘A different path’, The Carers Storybook, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)

• Personal stories – interviewing and writing stories about families caring for children with severe disabilities or medical conditions for The Carers Storybook for FaHCSIA.
• Leadership profiles – interviewing senior executive staff at the Department of Human Services and writing a series of leadership profiles for the internal news hub.
• Career snapshots – interviewing Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers and writing a series of profiles to support AFP recruitment efforts.

 Data and digital are inextricably linked to the delivery of government services and the increasing pace of government transformation. Exciting new technologies like Chat GPT are not just emerging, they are forcing their way into commonplace use.

Digital Transformation Agency Corporate plan, 2023–24

• Corporate plans and supporting business documents – often in tandem with annual reports, working closely with clients to identify and articulate their future direction including purpose, operating context, strategic objectives, key activities and performance measures. Examples include corporate plans for the Digital Transformation Agency, Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission and Department of Communications (and then engaged to edit supporting corporate strategies and to write sections of the Department of Communications Portfolio Budget Statement. The aim is to write concisely and add creative flair to ensure corporate materials are succinct, engaging, easy to read and appealing to the intended audiences.
• Strategic plan – reviewing existing material and drafting a vision and mission statement and a concise, standalone strategic plan for the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission.
• Flyers – writing a short introductory flyer summarising the role and responsibilities of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Also writing a flyer summarising an Australian Public Service Commission report into record keeping and records management.
• Brochures – writing a series of brochures about different divisions in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Researching and writing brochures about the AFP Leadership in Criminal Intelligence Program, its International Network, and the Culture and Language Centre. Researching and writing brochures and articles about changes to Australia’s maritime security legislation, targeted to specific audiences such as maritime workers, transport workers and boating enthusiasts. Writing and managing design of flyers and brochures for Maximus Solutions and Buteyko Health Solutions Breathing Centre.

When Grace Wilson and her staff finally set foot on the exposed rocky slopes of Lemnos, their equipment and supplies were delayed, the ‘hospital’ consisted of just a few tents and mattresses, there were no beds and only spirit lamps for cooking and sterilising.

Grace Wilson Estate, Brisbane, Defence Housing Australia (DHA) monograph

• Profiles – Reviewing available information and writing several monographs about Australian war heroes to commemorate the naming of DHA housing developments, such as the Grace Wilson Estate in Brisbane. Client feedback was very positive and indicated that the monographs were well received.
• Related work – Reviewing historical information and records, interviewing subject experts, and writing a history of DHA including personalised case studies reflecting the range of the agency’s work. Also assisted with some issues management and communications planning.

We work with you to identify and set in motion property and infrastructure projects that deliver the best possible outcome for your organisation an the community. 

Lockbridge website

• Website development – Researching and reviewing background information, recommending the structure and writing the content for websites including the ACT Government’s Family Safety Hub website, Lockbridge Pty Ltd, and the Australian Sports Commission’s Play for life campaign. 
• Web writing and rewriting – Reviewing and writing or rewriting website content for the interim website for the Australian Industry Skills Committee, NDIS and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, UNSW Canberra School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Council of State School Organisations, Australian Academy of the Humanities, Clean Energy Regulator, National Police Checking Service (while with CrimTrac), Commercial Building Disclosure program, the National Housing Energy Rating Scheme, Solar Cities, Centurion Home and Business Protection, and Australian Federal Police recruitment web pages, National Film and Sound Archive, PSMA Australia, Rural Doctors Association of Australia.
• Intranet content development – Reviewing background information, mapping the structure and writing the content for an online resource about managing change for the Fair Work Ombudsman, and reviewing and recommending improvements to structure and content, including rewriting high level pages for the Department of Education and Training intranet.

The crescent-shaped stretch of sand flanked by sandstone cliffs, the pavilion with its elegant arches, and the surf lifesavers’ distinctive red and yellow caps and flags are well-known images of Bondi Beach.

Bondi Beach, National Heritage List announcement fact sheet

• Bondi beach heritage listing­­ – Developing media release, background fact sheets and talking points for the announcement that Bondi Beach was being included in the National Heritage List.
• SPARC International Lighting Event 2011 and 2013 – Developing media announcements, and writing and placing articles in specialist journals and websites for these major lighting industry events.
• Play for life – Developing media materials for the Australian Sports Commission’s Play for life campaign including media releases, speeches, scripts for vodcasts by high profile campaign  ambassadors.
• Announcements – Drafting numerous government and non-government media releases, background information and event briefs for announcements relating to energy efficiency, arts, heritage, sports/active lifestyles, and information and communications technology.

Not many successful Canberra businesses get away with rewarding their staff with a pat on the head and a juicy bone. But when your team includes a canine (K9) unit, that sort of reward is greeted with enthusiasm.

Article about a security firm in B2B in Canberra magazine

Most audiences enjoying the cinema today would be surprised to learn that the vibrant images they are watching on screen will fade and disintegrate with use and time. For many, the idea of film archiving conjures up thoughts of grainy black and white silent films. However, preserving our modern film culture is just as important.

Preserving Contemporary Film Culture, On The Wire Autumn 2005, National Film and Sound Archive

Producing various articles such as:

• a feature article about Centurion Home and Business Security in B2B in Canberra magazine
• articles for the Australian Federal Police journal Platypus
• articles for the Australian Federal Police internal newsletter, AFPNews
• articles and brochures about changes to Australia’s maritime security legislation, targeted to specific audiences including maritime workers, anglers, transport workers and boating enthusiasts
• articles in the National Film and Sound Archive’s journal On the wire
• articles for the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts’ journal, Artbeat.

Club sports are a great way for children to burn off the boredom, have fun with their friends, test and stretch their skills, and develop confidence through that sense of shared achievement and pride.

Play for Life campaign, video presentation script

Producing various scripts such as:

• vodcast scripts for the Department of Human Services and the Australian Sports Commission
• an information/marketing CD-ROM and a product launch DVD for PSMA Australia, a leading source of spatial mapping data (also managed video production)
• a presentation video on the history of quarrying for the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Quarrying in Australia
• an ‘e-Australia’ video and CD-ROM to promote Australia as a destination for ICT investment (also managed production)
• launch videos for several arts initiatives (also managed production)
• hundreds of radio and television news reports (also managed production).