Archive of previous dinner meetings
December 2008
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Christmas festivities, games and a marvellous meal
Join us at our special south-of-the-Yarra venue to celebrate another busy and eventful year, with marvellous food, free glass of bubbly on arrival, and drinks at bar prices.
The evening will also include the Second Annual Society of Editors Spicks and SBooks quiz tournament, with games such as Match the Book Titles, But What Did His Mum Call Him? and Cover Art. Lots of laughs and plenty of opportunities to be word-savvy and share your book knowledge.
(Special thanks to Aunty ABC, Adam Hills et al. Spicks and SBooks takes its inspiration from the much less exclusive but certainly more musical quiz show Spicks and Specks.)
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
6.30 pm for 7.00 pm
English Speaking Union, 146 Toorak Road West (between Walsh and Marne Streets)
South Yarra (Melway 2L 4E)
November 2008
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Fishing boats, the First Fleet, and animal architects
Author / Illustrator John Nicholson and his editor Sarah Brenan talk
about the process of creating illustrated non-fiction for children.
Wednesday, 12 November, 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm
Lanai Bar – Duke of Edinburgh Room, 113 Queen Street (cnr Little Collins Street), Melbourne (Car parking on site, kerbside, or near Queen Victoria Market)
Cost: $25 members, $20 students, $30 non-members. (Pay cash or
cheque on the night; no credit card facilities available.)
John Nicholson is an award-winning author with a passion for the built
and natural environment and its impact on human society and history.
Born in Singapore, educated in New Zealand and Australia, John worked
as an architect for twenty years before starting to write and illustrate
children’s books full-time.
John lives with his partner and their daughter in a solar-powered house
they built themselves in the bush near Melbourne. He relishes the detailed
research that goes into his books and is renowned for his attractive and
accurate illustration of the world around us. Many of John’s books have
been short-listed in the Children’s Book Council’s Eve Pownall Award for
Information Books, and four of them – The First Fleet, A Home among
the Gum Trees, Fishing for Islands and Animal Architects – have won the
award.
Sarah Brenan has been an editor for over 35 years, initially in academic
books (OUP) and most recently in children’s books (at Allen & Unwin). Her
work has encompassed a great variety of genres, from Noxious Weeds of
Eastern New South Wales to a Frank Moorhouse novel, to the centenary
history of the ALP, board books for babies, and even a book of dog
horoscopes.
September 2008
Preparing for the accreditation exam
Wednesday, 10 September from 6.30 p.m.
Lanai Bar - Duke of Edinburgh Room (CQ Functions)
113 Queen Street (cnr Little Collins Street, City)
(Car parking on site, at 200 Queen Street, or kerbside)
Cost: $25 members, $20 students, $30 non-members.
Are you registered for the accreditation exam in October or thinking about it? Join us for dinner and a discussion about the exam and how, with some preparation, you can pass the exam and be part of the first group of accredited editors in Australia!
The meeting will include a comprehensive overview of the revised sample exam (see the IPEd website www.iped-editors.org). Experienced senior editors will discuss the exam's format, the questions and the types of answers required. An outline of preparation techniques and the exam format will be on the menu. If you are still thinking about whether to sit the exam, come along and find out more - you may be surprised at how ready you are to take up the challenge.
We'll mix the serious business of the exam with great food, lots of fun activities and spot prizes.
If you can, come to this meeting prepared by bringing your worked copy of the sample exam (together with suggested answers). We will also have copies of the sample exam available.
Don't miss this opportunity to test your skills in a fun, friendly and supportive atmosphere. Encourage your peers to take up the challenge and be part of the national push to improve our professional status and remuneration.
Here are a few comments from some of our most experienced Victorian editors on why they are taking the exam in October:
I'm doing the exam because it offers several advantages, both to editors and to their prospective clients. With over 25 years' experience as an editor, it is gratifying to finally have the opportunity to claim proficiency in my craft as recognised by an objective body. As well, it gives prospective clients the knowledge that they will be hiring a competent professional rather than someone under qualified or amateur. I'm looking forward to being able to put AE in my postnominal.
Christine Nagel, BA, senior editor for 25+ years, in-house and freelance; proprietor of Christine Nagel Literary Services editorial consultancy. Teacher of professional writing and editing at Curtin University and Victoria University.
For individuals, accreditation is an excellent way for freelance editors to 'rate' themselves and to promote their services. I successfully sat the BELS exam in 2005 and felt a renewed sense of confidence in doing so. In a collective sense, accreditation will help to establish and support fair remuneration for freelancers.
Sally Woollett, past Freelance Affairs Officer, Society of Editors (Vic.) and freelance editor for 11 years
I'm doing the exam because I want to support professionalism in editing. I have been editing for nearly 20 years and I hold a Grad Dip in Ed & Pub from RMIT. But lifelong learning means you need to make the effort not just to get qualified, but to stay qualified. It's important for senior editors to show their support. I hope publishers will support this initiative and not only encourage their staff to become qualified, but make a point of asking for it in their selection processes. It should give qualified editors an edge.
Trischa Baker, BA, LLB, GradDipEdPub, GDMLO, freelance editor, indexer and publishing consultant (since 1990); former managing editor, Pearson Professional and Society of Editors (Vic) committee member
On a personal level I am doing the exam because I want to be able to measure my skills against the standards for editing practice and use this when seeking other work. On another level, I believe this is a very important step forward for the visibility and credibility of Australian editors and other communications professionals.
Rosemary Noble, IPEd delegate for Victoria and editor for more than 25 years
I am doing the exam because, although I have a lifetime's background in editing, I have no formal qualifications. To sit, and hopefully pass, will provide proof positive that I have the knowledge and skills to provide the service I promise my clients. IPEd accreditation will differentiate between those who can and those who merely say they can.
Tony Berry, ex-editing staff member The Age, Adelaide Advertiser, the Sun and Herald Sun; freelance corporate and book editor
July 2008
Annual General Meeting
Thursday 17 July
6.30 pm for 7.00 pm
The English Speaking Union
146 Toorak Road West (between Walsh and Marne Streets)
South Yarra (Melway 21 4E)
Two-course dinner (including vegetarian) catered by Alex catering. There is no cost to Victorian Society of Editors members ($35 for all non-members). Drinks served at bar prices.
The Society's 2008 Annual General Meeting will take place on Thursday, 17 July, at the English Speaking Union. Please join us at 6.30 pm for pre-dinner drinks in the lounge, followed by a two-course dinner in the ballroom.
The AGM includes the election of 2008-09 office bearers for the Society. Current committee members will report on their areas of responsibility for the past year. This is a great opportunity to come along and support your hard-working office-bearers, as well as enjoying the company of other editors and the ambience of our fabulous venue.
For more information about the AGM and what happens at it, check out the agenda and minutes (PDF* 95 KB) from the last AGM.
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