Rotary Talk
What is a Technical Writer?
Before I became a TW, I worked in E.D.P. which was the forerunner of I.T. I held several positions: computer operator, programmer, systems analyst & business analyst.
I started as a TW when I was working for NAB, writing documents for various systems that the bank used.
I also worked for Mayne Pharma (now Hospira) in the Research &Development section. I wrote SOPs & OIs describing the equipment used by the scientists to develop new drugs, esp. anti-cancer drugs. I worked closely with the scientist in the laboratory, observing how the equipment was used, noting any messages that were displayed & how the scientist fixed those messages, and cleaning procedures.
I also have written manuals for users of software packages, FAQs, policies & procedures, forms and lists.
My Background
Carter is my married name – my maiden name is Bortnoski.
Depending on where the boundaries were at the time, this is either Polish or Russian name.
I am also Jewish.
My paternal grandmother was born in Odessa on the Black Sea. She and her family fled Russia in about 1905 to escape the pogroms against the Jews. The family landed in Cyprus before coming to Australia.
Bortnoski
The Bortnoski’s owned a dairy farm in Cranbourne behind where the golf club is on the South Gippsland highway. They also owned a dairy in Carlton behind the Carlton football ground. The milk from the farm was shipped from Cranbourne to Carlton.
My grandfather served in WW1 in the Australian Army.
My father was a sheet metal worker who started his apprenticeship in 1939 at the Government Aircraft Factory at Fishermens Bend.
Phillips
My other grandparents were living in the East End of London.
Around 1939, Lord Haw-Haw who was a Nazi follower, started broadcasting hate speeches against the Jews.
My maternal grandfather decided that London was not a safe place for Jews and decided to emigrate to Australia. They arrived in Perth in September 1939 as war was declared. A German submarine was in Perth at the time but slipped its moorings as the ship my family was on sailed into Perth.
My maternal family name was Abromowitz which my grandfather thought would be too difficult for Australians to cope with. The first sign that he saw when they sailed into Perth was Phillips which the family changed their name to.
My grandfather was a carpenter by trade. He had also served in the British Army in WW1.
Me
I am the eldest of 3 children.
When I was younger, I played hockey , mainly as a goalie and cricket as a spin bowler. I was Secretary of both sporting clubs.
I am currently a non-operational member of the Clyde CFA Brigade and I have just earned my 10-year service award, which will be presented in September at our annual dinner. I was Secretary of the Brigade for 2 years and also wrote grant submissions for the Brigade.
Any questions?
