Hello and welcome. I’m Melinda J. Irvine, a professional writer and communication designer, serving Australian small business and community organisations with copywriting, document design, WHS documentation, and training course development.
I also write for independent professionals who are ready to advance their career and need high-impact resumes, cover letters, professional profiles, and selection criteria writing.
Professional Background
My background is in hospitality operations management, HR and consulting. From 1996-2006 I worked in management roles in the NSW and Queensland Club Industry. Because I could write well, along with my management functions, I took care of all the areas that needed a lot of documentation — such as compliance, human resources, recruitment, training, and workplace safety.
This was an era when small to mid-size organisations didn’t have a lot of administrative infrastructure and I was at the forefront of developing operational policy, work procedures, employee handbooks, recruitment tools, and safety manuals for registered clubs around Brisbane and regional Queensland.
In 2006, I transitioned from the Assistant General Manager of the Redlands RSL (Cleveland, QLD) to an independent Management Consultant, completing assignments for Club Training Australia and DWS Hospitality Specialists (Indooroopilly, QLD). It was there I learned all about VET training and compliance as I wrote the content for all their online training programs and project managed the implementation of their first ever Learning Management System (LMS) and integration to eCommerce.
For the next 7 years I wrote VET qualification content and assisted with management consulting projects. I completed all types of written work: submitting tenders, writing reports, developing organisational documents, conducting employee inductions, and working directly with their clients.
One of my proudest achievements was co-writing an award winning customer service program, which was a joint initiative between Club Training Australia and the Brother’s Leagues Club in Townsville.
As much as I enjoyed my work, in 2014 I was feeling burned out and took a break. So I packed my bags for the Philippines and went to complete a volunteer assignment in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). I never went back.
Becoming a Full-time Writer
It was mid-way through 2015, that I met a small boy in a fishing village in the Philippines. He was only 7 years old and had lost his home in the typhoon as well as both his parents.
He asked me — someone who had never EVER had children — if I would be his mum.
At first I said no!
And yet somehow, I found myself in my mid-forties a mum for the first time. He couldn’t speak English and I could barely say hello in his mother tongue Hiligaynon (Ilonggo).
I wish I could say it’s been easy.
Rewarding? Yes. But easy? Not even a little bit.
Realising I needed a way to support him into adulthood, and missing my professional life and career, in late 2016 I launched Melinda J. Irvine Writing and Design, and reinvented myself as a full-time writer.
Since that time I’ve completed hundreds, maybe thousands, of writing assignments for mostly Australian clients. I’ve written web content, blogs, resumes, LinkedIn profiles, award applications, press releases, business capability statements, company profiles, VET courses that comply with AQF protocols, employee handbooks, event management plans, selection criteria questions, visa applications, eBooks and white papers, safety manuals, personal statements, professional bios, product descriptions … and the list continues.
10 Years Pass
Now, in July 2026, I’ve been a dedicated writing professional for over 10 years. I have established work systems as well as supporting documents and templates that enable a hassle-free engagement with my clients. I work from my dedicated home office and easily connect with clients using the latest video conferencing and communication technologies.
Even better, I’ve just completed a Diploma of Design (Graphic Design and Branded Fashion) and am currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication Design with Torrens university.
If you have a writing project you need a hand with this year, please reach out. Big or small, I would love to help create the documents and content that make your workday easier, upskill your staff, or help you land that next job. Whether you need to document a complex work procedure or just want to shout an important message out to the world, I can help you get it onto the page.
If you need a writer and designer in 2026, I am just an email away.
Let’s talk soon.
Melinda.
Cross Stitch, Embroidery, and Sewing
Before I head off, just a quick word about cross stitch patterns. You might have seen the links to my online shop in the menu bar and wondered what that was about?
In my spare time I design digital cross stitch, embroidery, and sewing patterns, and then sell them here on the website. So if you see links to sewing stuff, please don’t freak out. I’m still a professional writer and designer, I just happen to like sewing clothes and designing cool stuff on the weekend. Maybe try it for yourself. It’s very relaxing and fun.
Studying Late
In fact, it was my love of cross stitch that actually launched me into communication design. In 2024, I decided to enrol at Billy Blue College of Design (Torrens University) so I could design better cross stitch patterns.
What began as a way to support my hobby quickly became something much bigger. I absolutely fell in love with graphic design and realised it complemented the writing work I’d been doing for decades.
As I progressed through my university courses, business clients noticed and started asking me to handle some of their design work too, and I happily obliged.
I graduated with a Diploma of Design in June 2026 and am now continuing my studies with a Bachelor of Communication Design. My new skills have allowed me to introduce new, design-focused services and elevate the standard of everything I produce — and my cross stitch patterns look a lot better too.
Sharing Memories
Thanks for visiting my site today
LAST UPDATE: 13 July 2026
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