About me

Personal
I am a vastly experienced Australian journalist who has been based in London and Paris. From 2001 I was employed at The Sun-Herald, where I worked as a senior sub-editor and wrote features stories on sport, wine and travel.
I had a spell as chief sub-editor and also worked as a check sub-editor and sports feature writer. I have a wide knowledge of subjects ranging through food and wine, travel, sports, languages, international affairs, rock and country music and popular culture.
I went freelance in September 2007 but still contribute travel and wine stories and book reviews to The Sun-Herald on a regular basis.
I also contribute stories on wine, food and travel to around a dozen national and international magazines.

Date of birth
22 April, 1956

Experience
2001-2007
Employed by The Sun-Herald newspaper in Sydney, circulation 510,000, in a variety of roles, including check sub-editor, chief sub-editor, sports feature writer and sports production editor. Wrote wine, food and travel features and book reviews.

2001-2000   
Employed by international news agency Reuters in Paris as correspondent in charge of English-language sports coverage. I was in charge of filing all English-language sports copy from France, as well as being responsible for hiring stringers, maintaining budget, organising schedules etc. I covered a range of major sports events, including soccer internationals, rugby union tests etc. I was part of the Reuters team that covered the 2000 Sydney Olympics. 
Also filed wine/food/travel stories on a regular basis for Brisbane News and The Sun-Herald and also contributed to Gourmet Traveller magazine.

2000-1997 
Worked for Agence France-Presse in Paris as deputy sports editor for the English-language service. I was in charge of planning, editing and filing of copy to international wire, responsible for rosters, compiling monthly diary etc. I reported on major sports events including French Open tennis, World Cup soccer and rugby etc. Regular food/wine/travel contributor to the Sun-Herald, Brisbane News, Gourmet Traveller etc.

1997-1983
I ran my own business, Dobbin Media Services, which was based first in Sydney, then Brisbane. My clients included the Associated Press of America, Sky Television, Brisbane News etc.
I contracted to co-ordinated and provide sports coverage in Australia and New Zealand for Associated Press (organised stringers/budget etc). During this period I also worked for the Sydney Daily Telegraph as a wine writer, feature writer and sub-editor. I was appointed as wine writer for the inaugural issue of Brisbane News and wrote on wine and travel for that paper until 2001.

1983-1978 
I was employed as deputy European sports editor by the Associated Press, based in London.
I organised and provided coverage of major international sports events, including World Cup soccer tournaments, Olympic Games in Moscow and Los Angeles etc.

1978-1974 
I worked as a journalist and sub-editor on various South African newspapers, including The Star (Johannesburg) and Daily News (Durban).

Background
I was educated in England and South Africa and hold British and Australian passports.
I’m interested in travel, languages, international sport, fine wine and food. I speak
English and French, and have some understanding of Dutch, German and Italian.