Home

Heather Millar, Zest Communications

PO Box 779
McLaren Vale 5171

Mobile: 0409 196 401
Email: heather@zestcommunications.com.au
Web: www.zestcommunications.com.au

Heather was managing editor at Hardie Grant Magazines in Melbourne from 1998 to 2001, and at John Brown Publishing in London, from 1993 to 1997. She has also worked in corporate communications and for non-profit organisations. She has been freelancing since 2001.
Through Zest Communications she provides professional writing and editing services as well as advising on corporate communications for a range of clients. Discounts for non-profits.

Experience

In-house: Managing editor, Hardie Grant Magazines (Melbourne); managing editor, John Brown Publishing (London); senior writer/editor, WorkCoverSA; editor, Community Services Victoria; editor/communications consultant, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society
Freelance:

EDITING:
Highlights include:

  • Editing medicSA magazine for the Australian Medical Association (SA Branch) from April 2011-current
  • Editing iQ magazine for RIM Professionals Australasia from November 2010-current
  • Editing Department of the Premier and Cabinet Annual Report, 2009-10
  • Editing Vital Health magazine (for National Pharmacies) from 2000-06
  • Sub-editing Jetstar magazine, Ink Publishing (Singapore) from 2007-current

WRITING:
Highlights include:

  • Writing sections of annual reports for Mission Australia (2009) and Cancer Council (2005)
  • Grant submission writing – Alzheimers Australia, Cancer Care SA
  • Feature magazine articles: Country Style, Period Home Renovator, Interiors, Nature & Health, Just Health + Beauty
  • Writing A Step Ahead, a report on walking in the state of Victoria, for VICFIT
  • Writing How to Become a Wedding Planner, a 100-page course manual for All About Venues
  • Writing Planning for your Baby, a 16-page brochure for Coles Baby Club
  • Ghostwriting books for Hardie Grant Publishing and Penguin
Other: Co-editor, Dark Dreams: Australian Refugee Stories and There’s No Place Like Home (Wakefield Press) – for Australians Against Racism

Qualifications

Dip. Professional Writing & Editing, RMIT 1992
Bachelor of Arts, Uni. Tasmania 1989

Special skills

Writing and rewriting; translating complex academic or legislative copy to simple English; editing and proofreading; writing feature articles; developing all kinds of corporate communications for clients; editing magazines and books; writing web copy, media releases, speeches; editing and producing annual reports, brochures, fliers, newsletters; report writing; research; on-screen editing; teaching editing and writing skills; project management; sourcing design and print; ghost writing books.

Areas of expertise

Alternative therapies and philosophies, Biography, Environment, Government and administration, Health, Literature, Philosophy, Physical sciences, Psychology, Social services, Travel, Wine

Computer software capability

Windows: Database: Microsoft Access 2007        
Page layout: Microsoft Publisher 2007    
Spreadsheets: Microsoft Excel 2007    
Word processing: Microsoft Word 2007