Congratulations to our senior editor and writer Catherine Norwood for staying the course with us to celebrate 13 years as a member of the Coretext team this month.
Catherine initially joined us as a communications consultant when she moved to Melbourne from southern NSW. For almost a decade she's been an editor and writer for our primary industries and science publications.
She wrangles all things seafood as the consulting editor and lead writer for the FRDC’s FISH magazine. She also coordinates a suite of work for the Melbourne School of Engineering at the University of Melbourne, and for the Queensland Alliance of Agriculture and Food Innovation.
It’s been a tough year and as she marks another 12 months with us, we asked her what helps to keep things ticking over.
Q: What do you love about your work?
A: I love the collegiate kind of work environment we have, that allows us to work with our clients, with researchers and with those putting research into action to tell the best stories possible. Digital platforms are providing some exciting ways to combine words and images, although I’m still a big fan of print.
Q: What do you find challenging?
A: Keeping track of time when I’m working on something; dealing with tech issues when my computer is not doing what I think it should (thanks to Pete Spalding and Matt Eagan at 548 Support) and the ‘correct’ use of commas (thanks TiffanyPaczek).
Q: What have been some positive experiences of the past year?
A: We’ve had a big year with FISH Magazine – a special bumper edition for December 2019, and some shorter COVID-19 special issues in May and July this year, as well as the ‘regular’ editions. It’s stretched all of us on the production team at FRDC and at Coretext operationally and creatively. But I think we’re coming to the end of a difficult year with our sanity largely intact, and with publications that have provided a valuable touchstone for the industry, discussing different ways people are meeting their challenges.
While it's not entirely work-related, I’d have to say learning more about clouds and joining the Cloud Appreciation Society has been a real positive for me this year. I take more notice of the sky and clouds where ever I am, and it’s given me something else to appreciate during my permitted exercise outings during the lockdown in Melbourne, not to mention and endless opportunities for photography.
Q: What are you looking forward to in the next 12 months?
A: Getting out of lockdown, getting out on the road, travelling, talking to people in person, writing, taking photos and adding some on the ground intel and atmosphere to the stories I’m telling.