About

Rebecca Baker

I know this whole ‘writing your own bio’ thing is a bit silly, but if you want to know more about me you’ve come to the right place!

I’ve just completed my communications degree in Journalism at the University of Western Sydney and am currently working with Australian Geographic magazine. I enjoy the wonderful world of writing. This is probably because when I was younger I would read my grandfathers National Geographic magazines, which initially sparked my love for language, photography and adventure. Growing up all over Sydney meant that many of my childhood memories were of the city and the coast. Consequently my husband and I moved to Cronulla earlier this year and I’m eagerly awaiting summer!

Before starting high school my family moved to Coolamon, a little town, of about fifteen hundred people, North-West of Wagga Wagga NSW.  The culture shock of living in the country opened my eyes to a lot of things. To hard work, to the ‘circle of life’ and to lasting friendships. I developed a passionate love for this country while in ‘the bush’ as the locals call it.

I also enjoy performance and by the time I was in my graduating year I had performed in almost every major school production, in Cabarets, classic rock tributes and musicals. I love the stage!

Me and my guitar

Despite these fantastic experiences the coast and the city were calling my name and I needed to grasp hold of the opportunities the city afforded me! After graduating I packed a bag and began the drive across the southern part of NSW, picking up and dropping off friends along the way to the south coast,  while there I rediscovered my love for body boarding and of course photography.

After I’d gone through what some would call every Austalian’s ‘right of passage’ after the HSC I left home. Bound for Sydney, where I would start my degree, a stepping stone to a career path I had envisaged since I was little. I then went onto Queensland for New Years where I would meet my husband to be. I married mid way through my studies in November 08 and am glad every day that I did!

So after some hard work, and an insane amount of luck I was able to complete my degree, an internship with Australian Geographic and gain some work experience at local and regional newspapers.

I have a few muses in my life, one of which is my husband. I get asked a lot why I married so young and I guess theres no one answer. Interestingly enough I decided at a young age I would never marry, I never felt I needed to rely on anyone, to me that sort of thing was a weakness. Then I realised that the traditional partnerships of my predecessors didn’t have to apply to me. I didn’t have to bake cookies and put on lipstick before the hubby got home and he doesn’t have to chauffeur me around or open doors for me, because we’re mates. Although sometimes he does. :P
We’re fairly similar but different in many ways- he’s from a family of 11 children, and a twin whereas I’m an only child. We’re different people, but we make it work.

Other pretty big influences in my life include  my eccentric, university obsessed father who will be continuing his streak of couch surfing at my house whilst he starts his PhD in Environmental Science next year. He’s loud, impulsive and a bit messy but he’s damn smart, personable and funny. Thank goodness my domestic-goddess/hardcore business woman mother is such an angel or I’d have no normalcy in my life at all. Everyone who comes in contact with mum instantly falls in love with her. She’s just one of those types of people.

I know everyone says it, but my friends have really guided me to becomes the person that I am. I’m passionate, motivated, creative and organised. These traits I’ve learnt through lots of different people and experiences in my life. Too many to write down here really. I have a love for art & photography, my house rabbit and all things digital. Especially all things digital… from photos, videos, music, the internet and everything in between.  I love mail but hate bills (don’t we all?!).  I hate orange lollies and loosing things. I love road trips, summer storms and bonfires back on the farm.  I’d love to go diving with sharks and travel around Australia some day. I’ve been bitten by the travel bug, though so far I’ve only made it to the pacific islands a few times, I hope to see more parts of the world before I kick it.

Feel free to comment on any of my blogs, I’d love to hear your opinions or advice!