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The journalist�s �sea change� has opened up a new career focusing on online writing, editing and proofreading, development of an internet-based magazine and public relations consultancy.
John, a jazz buff who plays rhythm guitar, quotes one of his music heroes, Al Jolson, to sum up the lifestyle business. �The message in Jolson�s words, �You�ll find happiness lies, right under your eyes, back in your own backyard,� finally sank in.
�I had been working on computers since 1979 and first touched on the worldwide web in the 80s but when the boom came through Windows 95, I was on a different career path and wearing blinkers.�
In just two years since changing course, John completed assignments including a major business promotion package for the Redland Shire, which includes his Russell Island home, small business and community public relations projects and a many freelance articles. He has also relaunched a newspaper column, Classie Corner, which draws inspiration from �the marvellous world of classified advertising�. The column appears weekly in the Rural Press paper, Redland Times. John is celebrating Classie Corner's 25th anniversary on a blog, http://classiecorner.blogspot.com/.
John�s recent experience in online editing includes the academic papers of an aviation masters student and a law undergraduate. In such cases he works through the paper, paragraph by paragraph, making recommendations on grammar, spelling and readability, giving explanations on key points.
�It is very rewarding to help people polish their writing. No one�s perfect and even the best writers can benefit from a second opinion. For this reason I keep in touch with a network of colleagues and consultants to get their opinions on my own work. Commitment to writing is a life sentence to a constant watch against mistakes of all types. I also served a lot of time in publishing design and production where attention to detail is paramount.�
John has also developed a community of interest publishing system, Welcome Magazine, which is part of a business, Welcome Tributes, in which he is a partner with his scuptor-wife, Jenny.
Freelance writing and editing, 2003-07: Redland Shire Council business opportunities promotional package (writing a 24-page glossy guide, company profiles and industry factsheets for use 2004-06); consulting editor on Bay Islands newspaper; freelance feature and copy writing; real estate writing and design; consultancy on concise writing and word economy; development of a promotional newsletter concept; involvement in foundation of a news website; formation of own business; certificate IV in small business management; novel about newspaper culture (word count, 90,000); relaunch of editorial column and website, Classie Corner, focusing on the marvellous community of classified advertising; technical writing contract with Queensland technology company; casual editing with Rural Press newspaper, Queensland Country Life. Other involvement: Board member and vice-chairman of Bay Island Community Services Inc (2004), music appreciation program focusing on jazz classics for nursing home residents, with printed and recorded material supplementing guitar playing and singing (2004); honourary public relations consultant for Russell Island Lions Club 2004-06.
Sunshine Coast Newspapers, 1993-2003: Fulltime news, sport and feature reporter, columnist, layout designer, editor and acting editor of weekly publications, including Property Week, Noosa News, Caboolture News, Sunshine Coast Weekly, Sunshine Coast Citizen, the Entertainer and Sunshine Coast Sunday.
Cumberland Newspapers, Sydney, 89-93: Reporter, subeditor and acting editor at Glebe and Western Weekly, before appointment to Manly Daily as its first editorial production co-ordinator as a member of News group. In 92 and 93 I reduced my work time to two days a week to allow me to look after our first baby while my wife continued her career as an artist and designer.
Computing Australia, 87-89: News editor and acting editor of the then Packer-owned national computer news magazine, focus on business aspects in the mainframe-midrange market sectors.
Cumberland Newspapers, 86-87: Chief reporter Bankstown Express; chief reporter, editor St George Express.
Herald Press, Redcliffe, 85-86: Chief subeditor in an office producing seven weekly newspapers.
ABC Brisbane, 82-85: General radio and television reporter and production work including the studio direction of bulletins and late news line-up. Regional relief in Maryborough, Mackay and Longreach.
Sunshine Coast Newspapers, 80-82: Subeditor, feature writer and features editor.
Mid-Coast Observer, Kempsey, 80: Editor of a free weekly paper.
Newcastle Herald, 79: Subeditor on the nation's first cold-set metropolitan paper.
NBN 3, Newcastle, 79: Reporting and production roles.
Maitland Mercury and Manning River Times, 78-79: Sports subeditor on the Mercury; joint chief of staff and chief sub, with stint as acting editor, at the Times.
Fine art degree course and freelance public relations, 77-78: Alexander Mackie CAE, Sydney, and Newcastle CAE, writing and production of trade magazines with Sydney agencies.
Sydney Morning Herald, 75-77: General and police reporter, feature writer and acting pictorial editor and night pictorial editor. Illawarra Mercury, 74-75: News and sport reporter, subeditor and feature writer. Regional award for feature writing.
Hobart Mercury including 7HO newsroom, 72-73: Basic training in reporting and editing in Hobart and Launceston. Almost two semesters of arts degree course.
Industrial: Election to AJA house committees -- secretary ABC Brisbane 1984, founding chairman Herald Press 1985, secretary Terrence Publications (then Cumberland division) 1986, secretary Cumberland Newspapers 1986, chair Computer Publications 1987. Appointment to AJA state executive 1984, election to committee 1985.