I always seem to be the person stuff happens to. Like randomly coming face to face with a black bear on a hike in Alaska, having a dingo jump on my back in the Kimberley or being stuck on a rocky outcrop in New Zealand when the tide came in. My friends call it the ‘Joce Factor’ and started to suggest I should share my stories beyond dinner parties. So, after completing several writing courses, I put myself out there.
My background is in photography and education. I have a passion for wildlife, history and cultural experiences (especially if they involve food and wine).
Although I’m Melbourne city born and bred, I’m equally as comfortable in the country, particularly on horseback or fossicking around an historical site. Married to a news cameraman, we’ve travelled to many countries and lived in London for three years.
Since launching my freelance travel writing career in 2012, my stories and photographs have been published in a variety of Australian and international magazines including, International Traveller, National Geographic Traveller (Australian issue), Luxury Travel, Selector, Signature, Get Up & Go, Cruise Passenger, SMH Traveller, USA Today, Herald Sun Escape, Vacations & Travel, Sawasdee (Thai Airways) and Australian Traveller.
I’m a proud member of the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW), have a Master of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Media Studies (photography).