About Us

Ethos CRS is a communications firm based in Canberra that can provide services around Australia, in metropolitan, regional and remote areas. Set up in 2005 by writer Chas Savage, Ethos CRS provides a complete service for organisations that want to communicate complex ideas effectively and well, and use innovative and cost-effective techniques and media to do so. We offer the services of top level professionals in training, writing, editing, elearning, multi-media, web design, video production and photography.

Click on a photo to see that person's bio!

Chas Savage

CEO and Chairman

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Chas Savage has worked as a writer, a professional economist and as an economics adviser to a Commonwealth minister.

As the managing director of Ethos CRS, Chas understands organisational systems and processes. He also understands how to equip professionals with the skills they need if they are to thrive under pressure and produce first class work.

As well, he understands the requirements of public sector agencies, staff and managers. He has designed and delivered a wide range of training programs to public agencies and to non-government organisations.

Chris Hammer

Director, video and media

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Chris Hammer has worked as a journalist for over 20 years. He has worked as a senior journalist for The Age, has previously worked as chief political correspondent for The Bulletin and reported for SBS TV's flagship current affairs program Dateline.

Nationally, he has covered six federal elections, countless state elections and more than a dozen budgets. Internationally, he has reported from more than 30 countries on six continents. He has interviewed presidents and prime ministers, war criminals, Mafiosi—and ordinary people.
Meg Dixon-Child

Deputy CEO

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Meg Dixon-Child has worked as a journalist, speechwriter, and communications and media adviser in both the public and private sector.

She has a proven record in political journalism and analysis. Her specialist skills are communications and media management, speechwriting, and policy analysis and development. She lives and breathes parliamentary and political processes.

Meg has worked as a journalist in the electronic and print media, in the Parliamentary Press Gallery, and as a television news producer. She has developed and delivered training courses in communications, media presentations and media management.

Andrew Taylor

Director, photography

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Andrew is one of Australia's most experienced political photographers, and is a Walkley Award finalist and Runner up Australian Press Photographer of the Year.

Andrew has had 27 years experience in newspaper photography covering every aspect of news including extensive travel both domestically and internationally, and until recently headed the Canberra Press Gallery Photographic Office for The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian Financial Review.

Andrew is an expert portrait photographer, capable of producing high quality images, whether he has hours to set up or just seconds.
Jill Greenwell

Senior consultant, training

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Jill Greenwell has been a teacher of Latin and History for over 20 years. Because of her background in education she knows how people learn, and how to relate to them. She enjoys applying her experience as a teacher of writing and analysis to the demands of clear communication in the world of government and business.

Having also worked as a researcher and report writer in various public service agencies, Jill has a strong understanding of public service and parliamentary procedures.

Jessica Thompson

Director, Training and Elearning

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Jess has worked as a civil engineer, a hairdresser’s receptionist, a public servant and a waitress. In 2009 she graduated from the Australian National University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and in 2010 she received a Diploma of Government. She spends her spare time attempting cryptic crosswords, dancing, and feeding the office compost to her worms every week.

As Director of training and elearning, Jess coordinates all training for clients. She responds to tender and quote requests, handles accounts payable, manages the junior staff and runs the office. As Company secretary, her organisational skills are put to the test.
Kate Wall

Senior consultant, training and writing

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A Certificate IV trainer, Kate Wall has worked as a media adviser for a minister for foreign affairs.

She has reported from Delhi and conducted interviews in Beijing. In Canberra, she was the chief political correspondent for ABC Radio's flagship programs, AM, PM and The World Today.

She has also written speeches for different Governors-General. Kate has a detailed knowledge of the workings of ministerial offices and the public service. She knows how individuals should best present arguments and represent themselves and their organisations.

Tony Turner

Senior consultant, training

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Tony Turner was the head of Drama at the Australian National University. A professional trainer and an expert in the English language, he understands how words are assembled to convince and to persuade—and the devices actors use to convince an audience.

Having worked as a presentation skills trainer for a whole range of public sector organisations, Tony understands what is required of public sector speakers when they give a presentation or deliver a speech. Tony has worked in theatre and film in Sydney and London and taught voice and acting at the University of New England and the University of Southern Queensland. He was the London branch manager of Walt Disney Productions and head of voice and Speech training at Mountview Theatre School in London. He is the author of Sounds Like: Voice for Teachers and The Dialect Magician.
Janet Millar

Director, writing and elearning

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Janet Millar has worked as a journalist, speechwriter and editor for more than 30 years. Janet has managed communications and publishing teams in various government organisations, as well as running her own publishing business for several years. She has developed communications strategies for key regulatory government agencies, and is a highly experienced editor and writer, with special skills in magazine and other print material, video and electronic format. She has published articles in arts journals and business magazines.

As a speechwriter for government ministers, Janet has a profound understanding of a tight deadline, rigorous accuracy and an engaging turn of phrase.

Judy Betts

Senior consultant, speechwriting and issues management

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Judy Betts is a corporate writer and communicator with public and private sector experience. She has been a speechwriter and presentation skills coach to the Australian CEO of a large technology company and has extensive experience in employee, executive and change management communications.

Judy has worked on major projects in the financial services sector and as a ministerial adviser and federal public servant. She has masters degrees in public administration (Harvard) and organisational communications, as well as a bachelors degree in economics and a graduate certificate in applied finance. Judy is a certified workplace trainer and assessor.
Cath Allen

Editor

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Cath Allen has spent around 15 years working in marketing and communications for government agencies and professional associations.

With a passion for languages, she initially taught English as a second language, and this led to writing and editing work. She has worked in corporate communications, public affairs roles and as a freelance writer and editor. As well, she has under her belt several stints working for the Australian Government in embassies overseas.

As an editor and writer, Cath is keen to promote the virtues of plain English.

Niki Kerr

Administrative Officer, Training

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Niki is an ANU graduate with majors in English Literature and Dramatic Arts. She also studied the History of the English Language, Traditional Grammar and Latin as a language.

Through studying, Niki's fascination with the spoken and written word grew—and she discovered the beauty of the correct use of grammar (which, she laments, was never introduced to her during the Australian Public School System’s compulsory schooling years).
Al Willis

Editor

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Al Willis's eclectic career demonstrates an extraordinary ability across a raft of skills. He has worked as a carpenter as well as in various government departments including as a field officer at ABARE. For a number of years Al has worked as a floor manager at the ABC, a position that requires high level organisational skills and an unflappable disposition. He fancies himself at Scrabble. He has recently moved to editing, combining his eye for detail and his keen interest in words and language.

Jan Savage

Senior consultant, writing services

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Jan Savage is a public health consultant who researches and writes for a living. Jan is expert in writing for government and non-government organisations. She understands how to translate complex ideas into English that is comprehensible to the non-specialist. Importantly, she is an expert in handling and presenting data to non-specialist audiences.

As a matter of course, Jan writes business documents, research and position papers for clients in clinical medicine and in the public health sector.
Minde Bruce

Administration, training and writing support

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Minde Bruce is finding her place in this weird, weird mob. The aspiring sociologist immigrated to this lovely dry continent four years ago from New York (the state, not the city), and has thus far thoroughly enjoyed living in the southern hemisphere. She currently attends Australian National University.

Minde works ruthlessly for Ethos CRS as the 'go-to' person. She's happy to take on anything and everything; she can only learn by doing.

Dan Raiser

Program administrator

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Every office needs a Daniel Raiser. Dan provides invaluable computer support and firewall security to Ethos CRS, backing up his practical know-how by studying Information Technology at the University of Canberra, majoring in Computer Security. He is experienced with HTML, Visual Basic, Java and all Microsoft software. He also helps with program administration, training support, producing course material and is ready to try his hand at anything.
Polly McDonald

Coordinator, writing, editing and media

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As coordinator, Polly ensures that the administration and organisational side of writing, editing and media is always running smoothly.

Polly studies part time at the University of Canberra towards a double degree in English literature and Public relations. She spends her free time doing Playback theatre, drinking too much coffee and dreaming of rockabilly clothing.

Lis Cherry

Director, graphics and web design

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Elisabeth Cherry has over 28 years experience as a graphic designer for film, video and the internet. Lis has recently returned to Canberra from New York where she's been living and working. Her clients included industry heavyweights such as ABC America, HBO, Paramount Pictures, Warner Brothers, Eastman Kodak and the National Film Archive.

Lis has managed complex projects and, as Creative Director, overseen: web strategy, art/creative direction, interactive development and direction, animation, design, illustration, production art, budgeting, scheduling, marketing strategy.
Phoebe Davies

Office administration and training support

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Phoebe is an organisational wonder. She works closely with the office manager and trainers to ensure the success of each and every training course.

With a passion for social justice, Phoebe will begin a Bachelor of Development Studies at the Australian National University next year. She is a keen swimmer and loves singing as part of A Capella band, Clever Sunday.

Robb Shaw-Velzen

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In 2009 Robb was awarded a prestigious Golden Tripod in the ACS National Awards for Cinematography for his work on Icons, Tara Moss.

Robb has over 20 years experience in film and television, shooting for major current affairs programs including 60 Minutes, Four Corners, Sunday, Dateline, and The 7:30 Report. Robb has a long list of international credits, including working on Survivor and shooting the behind-the-scenes documentary of Stephen Spielberg's recent series, The Pacific.

Robb runs his own production company, by george studios, with his wife Georgina, and has extensive experience producing corporate and government videos.
Josh Creaser

Administration, training and elearning support

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Fresh out of college Josh Creaser is enjoying the challenges of the business environment.

Josh’s interest and good results in English, mathematics and science support his work in research, data collation and assisting with editing and writing. Running an environmental project in his final year of school gave Josh an appreciation of working with administrative processes and completing work on time.

Simon Grose

Senior consultant, media

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Before he became Science Media's Press Gallery correspondent, Simon Grose was a contributing editor to Australian Rolling Stone, a TV reporter, CSIRO public affairs officer, media adviser to a federal minister, and S&T editor of The Canberra Times.

As a science journalist Simon provides accurate and accessible portrayal of complex issues. He has conducted media training for organisations as diverse as CSIRO, Geoscience Australia, the Bureau of Rural Sciences and the Murray Darling Basin Commission.
Andrea Lang

Film and video editing/script editing/director/producer

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Andrea Lang is an AFI-award winning film video editor and former president of the Australian Screen Editors Guild and an experienced director, producer and script editor.

In 2000 Andrea won an Australian Film Institute Award for best editing in a non-feature film—Thomson of Arnhem Land. She also co-edited the AFI award winning Wedding in Ramallah. Her work has been shown at the Cannes Film Festival and she has won awards in Portugal, the Netherlands, the United States and Australia. She has a Bachelors degree in Social Work (UNSW), a Graduate diploma in Video Production (Swinburne) and a Masters degree in Drama Editing (the Australian Film and Television School).

Allan Bontjer

IT specialist

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Allan is a perfectionist when it comes to network operating systems. With 13 years experience as an IT specialist, he has been involved in managing the technical, logistical and operational rollouts of networks, hardware and software.

Allan has a clear understanding of how frustrating and daunting clients can sometimes find the technical issues of the IT world. He has built a reputation for being sensitive to clients' understanding of IT projects and for communicating technical issues in layman's terms.
Mary Quilty

Senior consultant, training, editing and writing

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A published author, Mary Quilty has extensive knowledge of the public service, academia and NGO sectors. She has published books on both current affairs and history in Asia and Australia. She has taught at the Australian National University and the University of Sydney and worked as a professional editor for Oxford University press.

She has also worked as an adviser to the Chief Scientist of Australia and in several Commonwealth departments. She has extensive experience in making complex ideas accessible and complex arguments persuasive. She has delivered reports, speeches and policy documents to both public agencies and non-government organisations and understands the requirements of Commonwealth agencies.

Alana Woods

Editor, writer, author

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Alana Woods has worked in publishing for over 30 years, with a five-year foray into court reporting when she moved from Adelaide to Canberra in 1980. Her career has been with federal government agencies’ publishing and communication units. For some years she was Director Publishing for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and so has an appreciation of such things as deadlines and working with clients from both sides of the desk.

Alana is an award winning author of thrillers and has entertained herself with novel and short story writing for almost as many years as she has been employed. Some years ago Alana and her husband had the dream of buying a boat and sailing off into the sunset ... but then they bought a boat. Some years later, a lot wiser and a bit poorer, they sold the boat and Alana came back to work.
Nic Learmonth

Editor

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Nic is an explorer at heart. Since crossing the Tasman, Nic has been exploring Australia. She looks forward to re-visiting the Grampians in Victoria and the wild and rocky coastlines of Tasmania. Her favourite mountain biking areas include Stromlo and Bruce Ridge in Canberra, and the singletrack in and around Alice Springs.

Nic has been editing since 2006, and her clients include non-profit organisations,publishing houses and special-interest magazines. Nic enjoys working on a wide range of projects and turning complex documents into clear, easily understood final copy.

Holly Reid

Assistant media

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In 2010, Holly graduated from the University of Canberra with a Bachelor of Journalism (Honours). Her thesis, a comparative analysis of the framing of the 2007 ‘Little Children are Sacred’ report in The Australian, was awarded the University of Canberra Medal. During her degree, Holly worked part time in government communications, marketing and as the sub-editor of the University of Canberra student magazine. Now part of the writing and media teams at Ethos, Holly helps organisations to manage their public image. In her spare time, Holly enjoys going to the farmers markets, riding her scooter and playing tennis.
Wendy Elliott

Director, editing services

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Wendy set out to be a historian (and has the obscure PhD to prove it) but detoured into editing and stayed there for the opportunity to play with words, work with talented people and help create excellent publications.

Since then she has been a book editor, a parliamentary Hansard editor, senior editor at the Australian Government Solicitor, assistant director of publishing at the ACCC and co-director of editing and transcription consultancy Apricot Zebra. Wendy has a Postgraduate Diploma of Editing and Publishing from RMIT and is an Institute of Professional Editors Australia accredited editor.

When not at work she reads constantly, cooks impulsively and runs slowly. She dreams of Greek islands and hopes to be reincarnated as one of her own dogs.

To ensure that we can provide you the services you want, at the exact time you need them, Ethos CRS works with other communications specialists:

GRi.D Communications, an award-winning and comprehensive graphic design studio
Acme Consulting (Janet Willis, principal), a specialist writing and editing company
by george studios (Robb Shaw-Velzen and Georgina Jenkins), an award-winning film and video studio
Fourth Pillar Consulting (Kris Barry, principal), a Sydney-based marketing, media and communications consultancy.
KJA (Kathy Jones, principal) focuses on risk and issues management. Working with public and private sector clients on complex projects and based in Sydney, KJA's strategic approach resolves issues efficiently and effectively.