Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Newsletter of the Canberra Society of Editors
Volume 19 • Number 8 • September 2010
Next meeting 40 years at the Australian National
29 September 6pm Botanic Gardens
Brindabella Room Stephen Speer, Assistant Director of Visitor any exotics. Instead, there are 6300 species of
National Library Services at the Australian National Botanic Australian native plants (about a third of all
Gardens, generously sat through our AGM so Australian species), 1,110,000 specimens in
that he could give us a great talk and the Herbarium, and 44,000 photos in the
Ian Davis, Chief Executive
fascinating pictorial history of the Gardens. collection. There is a 1.4‐kilometre main
of Canberra‐based
walking trail plus too many minor paths and
publishing company The Australian National Botanic Gardens are
tracks to fit on the map, and you can visit
National Publishers, will about to celebrate their 40th birthday, dated
rainforests originating from Cape York to
join us at our September from the official opening presided over by
Tasmania in the Rainforest Gully.
general meeting to provide then‐PM John Gorton, but they are actually
a unique insight into the much older. In 1933 an advisory council The 40th anniversary activities include a
use of government proposed a botanic gardens with a scientific birthday celebration on Wednesday
information for private basis rather than for ornamental purposes, 20 October, a Gala dinner on Friday
industry and industry and although work on the site didn’t start 22 October and an Open Day garden party on
associations. until after the war, on 12 September 1949 Sunday 24 October. There will also be an
ceremonial trees (a eucalypt, which is still exhibition, running from 1 October to
Ian is the former
there, and an oak tree which has since died) 1 December, including a history of the gardens
Government Business
were planted by then‐PM Ben Chifley and the and stories from the community.
Editor of The Australian
Director of Kew Gardens.
Financial Review and The future includes the goal to end the
former News Editor of The In September 1967 the ‘Canberra Botanic Gardens’ placement as Canberra’s ‘best kept
Canberra Times. In his Gardens’ were opened to the public for the secret’. With new directional and information
current role, Ian specialises first time; the name was changed to ‘National signage, a brand and logo refresh and a new
in locating difficult‐to‐find Botanic Gardens’ in 1978 and finally to the website, hopefully many more locals and
information on slightly cumbersome ‘Australian National visitors will discover Australia’s native
government regulatory Botanic Gardens’ in 1984. landscape in the International Year of
matters—especially Biodiversity.
Stephen spoke about the uniqueness of the
superannuation, financial
Gardens: there are no roses or carnations, or Natalie Maddalena
services, taxation and
accounting—and
communicating this
information in simple,
accurate non‐specialist
Reviews: Have your say
language. Editing standards: A revised draft of the Australian standards for editing practice is now available.
We will go out for a light We’ll be emailing a copy to all members for comment. Please do take the time to read through it
dinner after the meeting. and send your opinions to Ted Briggs at <tedbriggs@grapevine.com.au>
Please feel free to join us. The website <www.editorscanberra.org>: It’s finally here – the start of a new look for the
Canberra Society of Editors. We are now looking for your feedback as the site develops. What
features would you like to see? Would you use a members’ forum? You can use the contact form
on the site to send in your ideas.
Training news:
Report: ‘Design for non‐designers’
Your committee On Saturday 11 September, eleven members Next course: Structural editing
plus Evelyn Nicoll (who will doubtless be a
President
Cathy Nicoll 6259 2984 member within the decade) attended a full‐ Pamela Hewitt
Cathy.Nicoll@atrax.net.au day course given by David Whitbread, titled Friday 8 October 2010, 9.00–4.00
Vice‐president ‘Design for non‐designers’. David has given Members $150 Non‐members $250
Claudia Marchesi similar courses before to the Canberra Society
cmarchesi@netspeed.com.au ’Drawing Room’ University House, ANU
of Editors, and the demand for his courses
Immediate past‐president
seems to regenerate like flowering bulbs in There are still a few places available for this
Ted Briggs 6161 4924
0407 018 433 spring. popular course.
tedbriggs@grapevine.com.au
The course started with a discussion of the The workshop puts structural work in context and
Secretary makes practical suggestions for approaching the
Eris Harrison
concepts of good design. David said that
erisjane@bigpond.net.au designers are not artists. Their task is to task.
Treasurer attract attention to the publication and make Structural editing involves developing the logic
Tracy Harwood the design elements blend with the text. and flow of a piece of writing, shaping and
tracyharwood@grapevine.net.au
Next came an exposition on typefaces, of presenting the text in harmony with its internal
Public officer
Helen Topor 6131 6508 which there are more than 16 million (some progression. Editors almost always do it to some
Helen.Topor@afp.gov.au dating from the 1500s) and counting. David degree and the process is often intuitive.
Training coordinator discussed the difference between legibility Whatever the writing technique, there is a
Martin Holmes 0431 268 948 and readability and played a trick on
Martin.Holmes‐ relationship between good writing and clear
Forte@bigpond.com attendees to show that amazingly, what is not
thinking. First, you need to understand the
legible can be readable – however, the best
Membership secretary author’s intentions, then to assess how well these
Shirley Aitchison bet is to strive for readability. Perhaps sadly,
shirley.a@ozemail.com.au aims are achieved. You’re looking for the
Times New Roman and Arial will not
Web minder: contact disappear soon; they have been used so often underlying logic to match the shape of the text. If
Cathy Nicoll as to now be anonymous. there are gaps or imbalances, what can be done?
Newsletter contact:
Cathy Nicoll & Kerie Newell Anonymous + ubiquitous = continuous Topics to be covered include: Why structural
kerie1@optusnet.com.au editing is important; the characteristics of a
We covered the use of imagery, design
Meeting coordinator structural editor; the process—examination,
Briony Winchester
briefings and design for the web. David diagnosis and treatment; broad brush techniques;
0404 856 925 successfully modified the content of the fine tuning; and factors to bear in mind.
briony.winchester@live.com.au
course so that he satisfied every attendee’s
Catering coordinator
most secret desire for knowledge on design.
Liz Phillips 0403 941 058
liziphillips@gmail.com
Bookings: Martin Holmes, <martin.holmes‐forte@bigpond.com>, 6255 8142 or 0431 268 948
IPEd delegate Bookings are finalised by payment of the course fee. Electronic funds transfer to:
Ted Briggs 6161 4924
Canberra Society of Editors, Community CPS Australia, BSB 805 022, account 0342 3503.
0407 018 433
IPEd Accreditation Board delegat
Larissa Joseph 6161 5216
larissa.joseph@gmail.com
Committee members
Martin Blaszczyk
New venue for Can you format a
Gil Garcon
Dallas Stow
Damaris Wilson
September Word document?
The Canberra Society of Editors will meet in Our newsletter needs someone who can do the
the Brindabella Room at the National Library formatting. Some people call this ‘typesetting’,
of Australia. some call it ‘layout’. This newsletter was prepared
in MS Word, because that is the software we have.
You will need to take the lifts to the fourth
floor. When you come out of the lift, turn left If you can help, or if you want to learn, then here
and the Brindabella Room should be in sight. is your chance. Contact your president and you
can get started!
These are simple, declarative sentences.1 Before I go, what is NOT a sentence?
Your new committee
You might notice a few new names on the list of There’s still a need for some more hands on deck
committee members on the inside cover of this with the newsletter. It is something best done by
newsletter: a team: a senior editor, someone to lay out the
text, a copyeditor, and a proofreader. Some of
Claudia Marchesi has taken on the role of
these roles have been filled already (thank you to
vice‐president from Damaris Wilson.
Damaris Wilson and Kerie Newell), but more help
Tracy Harwood is our new treasurer, having
is always good. Contact the committee if you can
taken over from Margaret Millard.
spare a couple of hours a month to help out.
Eris Harrison is the new secretary, replacing
Brian O’Donnell who was forced to step down There’s still room for more if you want to be part
because of a constitutional limitation on how of the committee. There’s a role for general
long officer bearers can remain in one job. committee members, who generally have no
Shirley Aitchison is the membership specific tasks other than to be a part of committee
secretary, and she will now be the first point discussions and decisions about your society.
of contact for those who want to apply to join
Finally, thank you to those who have worked hard
the society.
this past year.
Cathy Nicoll
One implication, as I write this, is the likelihood of IPEd discussion
a ‘hung parliament’, a parliament with no absolute
majority of seats. We have to realise that this is Following concerns raised by Gil Garcon about
the normal state of affairs in most countries (and IPEd, Gil and Ted Briggs are convening a discussion
group. The aim is to give people the opportunity
in the ACT and Tasmania), which have several
to raise any issues and ideas they may have.
political parties, none of which has an absolute
majority. The Canberra Society of Editors is proud to have
helped instigate IPEd. We continue to support it,
However, Australia, the UK and Canada all have but concerns about accountability back to the
just a couple of major parties and a ‘first past the member societies need to be addressed.
post’ system. In these countries, one or other of
Contact Ted at: <tedbriggs@grapevine.com.au> for
the parties can usually secure enough votes to
further information.
govern, perhaps by alliances with members of
This could also be your last newsletter. The renewal form is on the website at
<www.editorscanberra.org>.
Membership cards have now been sent out to
most renewing members.
Contents The Canberra editor
Next meeting: 29 September 1 Published by the Canberra Society of Editors
40 years at the Australian PO Box 3222 Manuka ACT 2603
National Botanic Gardens 1 19th year, number 8
Reviews: have your say 1 © Canberra Society of Editors 2010.
Training news: ISSN 1039‐3358
Report on ‘Design for non‐designers’ 2
Next course: ‘Structural editing’ 2 Opinions and statements in signed articles are
New venue for September 2 those of the author.
Can you format a Word document? 2
What is a sentence? 3
Newsletter schedule
Your new committee 4 The next newsletter will appear in October
Professional Indemnity Insurance 5 2010 and for that issue the copy deadline is
Thinking about words: electing the élite 6 1 October.
IPEd discussion 7
The editor welcomes contributions by email
to: <kerie1@optusnet.com.au>.