Experience

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  Guardian Australia

  • Editor and journalist

    • Feb 2022 - Present

    Michael came onboard the Guardian Australia Rural Network as deputy editor, and established the role while writing and commissioning freelance contributions from rural-based writers. In October 2022 he stepped aside when the deputy role was expanded to a full-time position, and continues to write...

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  Michael Burge Media

  • www.burgewords.com

  • Publisher / Mentor

    • Apr 2012 - Present
    • www.burgewords.com

    As an independent online and print publisher, Michael has created and marketed paperbacks and ebooks for the international marketplace. He was invited to present his Amazon-bestselling non-fiction debut 'Questionable Deeds: Making a stand for equal love' at the 2016 Brisbane Writers Festi...

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  No Fibs

  • Australia

  • Arts Editor / Features Writer / Sub-editor

    • Jul 2013 - Present
    • Australia

    Michael joined the No Fibs team when he brought Marriage Equality to the attention of this Australian political news site as a key 2013 federal election issue, and covered the campaign until legislation changed in late 2017. He reported on the Queensland electorate of Bowman during the 2013 feder...

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  Australian Country Life

  • Australia

  • Co-publisher / Editor / Features Writer

    • Jul 2013 - Nov 2023
    • Australia

    In 2012 writers and journalists Mary Moody and Michael Burge launched a remote-living media hub called Woop Woop, an imprint of Australian Country Life. Woop Woop is in the country, but it's also a little bit out there.

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  Arts North West Inc (Regional Arts Board for th...

  • Glen Innes

  • Touring Co-ordinator

    • Oct 2018 - Dec 2021
    • Glen Innes

    Michael worked as touring co-ordinator and media assistant for this Regional Arts Development Organisation, responsible for selecting and scheduling touring performing arts throughout member venues of the New England North West region.

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  Fairfax Media

  • Jimboomba Times, Redland City Bulletin, Beaudes...

  • Senior Journalist

    • Apr 2017 - Sep 2017
    • Jimboomba Times, Redland City Bulletin, Beaudes...

    Michael co-managed the Jimboomba Times newsroom, covering breaking local and regional digital news and producing a weekly print edition during extended leave by multiple staff. He also contributed to sister publications the Redland City Bulletin and the Beaudesert Times.

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  Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia

  • Jemima to Jeremy

  • Script Editor

    • Apr 2016 - Aug 2016
    • Jemima to Jeremy

    Michael worked with producer-director-writer Tamara Whyte on the script development of NITV/SBS/Butchers Paper Workshop documentary 'Jemima to Jeremy', a journey of identity. From female to male and into Aboriginal culture.

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  Fairfax Media

  • Australia
  • Online Media
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Deputy Editor / Acting Editor

    • Jul 2014 - Aug 2015

    Michael was deputy and acting editor of Fairfax's national online rural media gateway FarmOnline.

  • Sub-Editor

    • Jul 2012 - Jul 2014

    Michael worked on the sub-editing team of The Land and Queensland Country Life for Fairfax Media.

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  Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust

  • Jenolan Caves, NSW

  • Interpretive Guide

    • Nov 2008 - Jun 2012
    • Jenolan Caves, NSW
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  Blue Mountains Life Magazine

  • Blue Mountains NSW

  • Editor Features Writer

    • Jan 2010 - Jan 2012
    • Blue Mountains NSW

    Michael embraced the chance to write about a region he had a long association with when he took on the job of editing, writing and photographing for Blue Mountains Life magazine. While in the role he instigated a series of paddock-to-plate features on regional food, and a long-running series on t...

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  Anvil Media

  • Sydney, Australia

  • Writer Producer Director

    • Jan 2006 - Sep 2006
    • Sydney, Australia

    While working for Anvil Media Michael wrote and produced television commercials and corporate videos for a range of clients, including Landcare Australia's 'Coastcare: It's in Your Hands' TVC, which won the United States' Silver Summit Creative Award in 2007 for writing.

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  Creative in Company

  • Kogarah Bay, Sydney

  • Producer

    • Aug 2003 - Aug 2004
    • Kogarah Bay, Sydney

    Creative in Company was a joint venture between Michael Burge and Jonathan Rosten, co-creators of Screen Me: Blue Mountains Short Film Festival (2001-2003) and stage show She Males From Outer Space! (2004 Sydney Mardi Gras Cultural Festival). The company was dissolved after Jonathan's death i...

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  Screen Me! Blue Mountains Short Film Festival

  • Blue Mountains, NSW

  • Producer

    • Dec 2000 - Aug 2004
    • Blue Mountains, NSW

    Screen Me! The Blue Mountains Short Film Festival was a joint venture between Michael Burge and Jonathan Rosten, screened annually at the Scenic Cinema at Scenic World, Katoomba. Short films were curated from across Australia in a broad range of categories. Judges included David Stratton, Gillian...

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  Centenary of Federation

  • Bathurst Regional Council

  • Designer

    • Sep 2000 - Jan 2001
    • Bathurst Regional Council

    Michael was part of the Central West design team which conceived and executed the Helping Hands float in Australia's largest street parade, the Journey of a Nation for the Centenary of Federation in 2001.

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  Simple Magic

  • Blue Mountains NSW

  • Writer Producer Director

    • Apr 1999 - Apr 2000
    • Blue Mountains NSW

    Simple Magic was created for the production of a 30-minute short feature 'What to do When I'm Dead', written, directed and produced by Michael Burge. The film was screened at Melbourne's Watch My Shorts film festival in 2000, and distributed by Heathcliff Distribution until 2010.

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  United News & Media

  • Ipswich, United Kingdom

  • Writer Producer Director

    • Mar 1996 - Mar 1998
    • Ipswich, United Kingdom

    While a Producer-Director at Farming Press Video (at the time owned by Miller Freeman, under the United News & Media banner), Michael Burge wrote, produced and directed a series of one hour documentary videos on countryside subjects, including gardener Beth Chatto and dog trainer Katy Cropper.

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  Imperial College Television Studio

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Production Assistant

    • Sep 1993 - Mar 1994
    • London, United Kingdom
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  London Post

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Post Production Runner

    • Apr 1993 - Aug 1993
    • London, United Kingdom