who we are
Melinda Ham, Lead Writer
Melinda has more than two decades of journalism experience. She started her career in southern Africa as a correspondent for six years for The Associated Press and other international publications, including London’s Daily Telegraph and the Economist. She's also lived and worked in India and Singapore.
In Australia, she wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald for more than 10 years, including stints as a sub-editor on the foreign desk and commissioning editor for Special Reports. She’s been editor of Explore, Australian Museum’s twice yearly magazine, and UNSW’s alumni magazine UNSWorld for three years. She has a BA in History from McGill University in Canada, MA in International Relations and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Journalism from the University of London. Check out some of her stories here.
Melinda's first book, about refugees who have settled in Australia, will be published by Affirm Press in early 2024
Mike Hall, Editor
Mike’s last corporate role was as bureau chief in Singapore for Bloomberg News. He directed economic and financial news coverage by 60 journalists across nine Asian cities. Based in Mumbai, he helped expand Bloomberg’s India operations and in Sydney, edited Australian and New Zealand economy, bond and currency market news.
Mike has 20 years’ journalism experience as a correspondent, editor and manager. He’s reported for the BBC, Financial Times and The Guardian from Africa, and co-founded a newspaper in Zambia. He started and ran a wholesale business, taught law to accounting students at Macquarie University and managed political campaigns. He has a BSc in Environmental Studies, MA in International Journalism and Diploma in Financial Markets.
In his spare time, Mike makes wheel-thrown pottery which her firers in a homebuilt gas kiln.
Anne Willman, Art Director
Anne is a versatile graphic designer, illustrator and artist. She’s worked on a diverse range of communications projects over nearly 30 years, including designing infographics, corporate websites, brochures and annual reports in Australia and internationally.
Anne has lived and worked in Switzerland, Morocco and Indonesia, and studied graphic design at Ecole des Arts Décoratifs, Geneva.
She's developed complex illustrations and photo-retouching for clients from corporates to individual professionals. She also art-directs our photoshoots.
Anne's hand-painted animations were projected onto St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney as part of a special Christmas event organised by the City of Sydney.
When time permits, Anne works on her own art practice specialising in watercolours with hand-made pigments.