The Bass Coast Prize for Non-Fiction, starts in 2019 with an act of generosity by Phillip Island writer and arts patron Phyllis Papps, who wanted to encourage local writers in an age of dwindling options for mainstream publication. And so the Bass Coast Prize for Non-Fiction was born. The Prize enters its third year with backing from ArtSpace Wonthaggi, the West Gippsland Regional Library Corporation and Bass Coast Shire Council. One of the richest competitions for non-fiction in Australia, the prize is open to writers with a strong connection to Gippsland. Of course, the public recognition and prize money is a great boost for the winning writers, but our entrants have also commented how important it is to have something to aim for, a deadline and an assurance that someone will actually read their work.  Good non-fiction writing is not just a collection of facts or events. That’s research. The challenge to the writer is to weave the facts and events into a narrative that will engage and hold a reader’s attention.  Eighty-six entries have been submitted in the first two years of the prize, ranging from personal memoir and true adventure to biography, natural history and local history. The writers range from professionals to novices who have felt moved to write their first story. The focus is overwhelmingly on the environment. Our writers celebrate the natural beauty of Gippsland, but there is also an awareness of its fragility. The concerns grow more urgent after the calamitous bush fires of the 2019-20 summer.  We celebrated the 2019 prize winners with a gathering at The Gurdies Winery at which the esteemed non-fiction writer, Don Watson, talked about his own journey as a writer. Two weeks later, the world was grappling with a pandemic. In fifty or a hundred years, a historian wondering what was on the minds of Gippsland people in the early 2020s will find answers in the stories in this book. Catherine Watson, Geoff Ellis, Anne Heath Mennell Judges for the 2020 Bass Coast Prize for Non-Fiction.

Archies Bald Portrait Prize 2019 Book 156pp of artwork and artist information

The show was inspired by Deb Rielly, a local paramedic, who battled cancer for 15 years. She had been on the rough end of ignorance as she decided to bare it all and not go with a wig or scarf. She tells us there is no reason for many fit and active people to get cancer - it is - just because. Pro Bono book layout & design.

We all need to talk about what we can do to reduce our carbon footprint in the home and our communities. I have donated my time to develop the branding for Totally reNewable Phillip Island, because I want my kids to have a clean world to live in. We need to have these conversations.

2019 Festival of Stories
Continuing with last years popular branding for the Literary Festival of Phillip Island, Phillipa is back and as nimble as ever. She leads a stimulating group of story tellers. Keep the date free and watch this space for the 'Talent Poster', where you will see everyone that is part of this years festival.

Rebranding for the 2018 Phillip Island Literary Festival 
So much joy working with the Phillip Island Story Gatherers on the rebranding this years festival. The brief was to reach a wider demographic. To that aim several concepts were developed, the one that had legs was the Island bird, known in the group as the 'Dodo'.

It has been asked, why the red high heels? I am glad you asked!

When working on a job I look for interesting visual lynch pins that I can use in the graphics, they must be both relevant and eye catching. For me, when I think about 'everyone has a story', I imagine people walking in an others shoes. The most provocative and eye catching shoe I could imagine was the chunky red heel. I knew that our Phillip Island bird wearing one bright red high heel with the other kicked off elsewhere on the poster, would raise a lot of questions. It is used as a graphic element within the program booklet and on all of our promotional materials. 

In the rebranding for the 2017 Shearwater Festival 
The aim was to create energy, excitement and deeper community ownership and take-up of the festival events. The booklet was given a 'zine feel' to encourage longevity and awareness. To deepen the content levels I added editorial, personality questions, games and puzzles, and a focus on the people that help make this community festival happen.
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The font was designed as a highly individualised display font. Based on a loose hand written feel. All promotional material is vector illustration, it has the advantage of high adaptability regarding size. Its sharpness gives an intense cut through in what is a saturated marketing environment. It has been a challenging and highly rewording experience that adds to my community and increases the awareness of what I have to offer as a business.

Donated Graphic Design and Marketing for Boomerang Bags Phillip Island and San Remo

I am very happy to donate my design time to support this wonderful community organisation.
​It is up to all of us to keep our home clean.
Well done Boomerang Bags!