AMWA WA Networking Event Wrap

Relaxing over some cold drinks in a convivial courtyard, five AMWA members had the opportunity to get to know each other. Everyone had met at least one person before but now we all know each other.

Among many topics, we discussed how the writer’s market is changing, the demise of printed media, clients’ expectations, writers’ fees and competing with the likes of Fiverr, where to get good but cheap images, how we became writers, and how tasty the pizza was.

We here in the west are not unfamiliar with being the too-far-away cousin and missing out on events of all kinds. So it’s not surprising that our gathering brought forth a sense of solidarity. The unique backgrounds and different specialities drew genuine interest in each other’s work, if not to learn a little more about this craft called writing for health and medicine.

By 9 pm the sun was down, the fairy lights were on and the mosquitoes were out. Time to go. We left replete and keen to meet again.

With grateful thanks to the AMWA committee and Michelle Guillemard (President) for helping me to facilitate this function.

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT! AMWA Early Career Award 2026

Congratulations to Nicole Vassileff, winner of the AMWA Early Career Award for 2026!

Nicole's submission, When the Eye Learns to Grow Back, made a significant impression on the judging panel:

"I learnt something about a topic I previously knew nothing about – the complex scientific information was presented in an accessible, informative and interesting way."

"I really enjoyed reading this piece from start to finish. It is clear that the writer has a talent for producing scientific writing that is both clear and engaging. I hope they continue to bring these skills to the field of medical and health communication—Australia needs more writers like them."