About

For over a decade, Amanda Bacchi has been hosting TV,  radio, podcasts, and moderating for conventions across Australia. She is a writer, researcher, interviewer, copywriter, editor, public relations specialist, events manager, content creator, script and comic book writer, and librarian.

WRITING/EDITING – Amanda has a natural affinity for words and has been an avid writer since high school, leading her to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, Journalism, & Media Studies from the University of Southern Queensland in 2015.

Recent published work includes writing and editing/assistant editing on Phantom (Frew) comics, ‘Flock’ (self-published) comic, ‘The SuperAustralians’, and other stories that are yet to be released. Amanda also has several clients for whom she helps with copywriting and content creation.

Amanda’s part-time work in Brisbane LIBRARIES blends her love of books with being able to help people with everything from reading recommendations, social media & online security tutorials, kids tech, lego & robotics sessions, to babies books & rhymetimes. She regularly runs events and workshops on gardening, craft, author talks, genealogy, technology. Amanda is also a part of the Social Media Content Creation group for Brisbane Libraries city wide.

POP CULTURE MEET-UP – Since October 2013, Amanda (with her partner Paul) have been hosting a monthly meetup group at Brisbane Square Library. Our community (of over 300 people on meetup.com) gets together to watch/discuss movie trailers, play trivia, and share what everyone has been playing/watching/reading. We encourage local creators to share their work, and we are a LGBTQIA+ and mental health safe space.

SES – Wanting to use her Public Relations degree to help her community, Amanda joined the Queensland State Emergency Service in February 2017.

Training:
– Field Operations Member (active)– trained in First Aid & CPR, Briefings & Debriefings, Fire Safety, Ropes & Knots, Storm Damage, Radio & Communications, Team Building, Perform in a Rescue Operation, & TAMS Task Manager.
– Regional Volunteer Community Educator 8HR training (2018)
– Public Information Officer (Media Liaison, Community Liaison, & Information/Warnings)
– Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System training 16HR (high level disaster management), counter-terrorism training relating to large scale community events from Queensland Police (Sep 2019), Queensland Fire & Emergency Services HAZMAT, Social Media, Cultural Awareness, & Mental Health Awareness training & Bureau of Meteorology adverse weather awareness & Queensland Rail Familiarisation training

Achievements/Community Engagement Activities:
– 1st SES volunteer to activate in the QLD State Operations Centre during a disaster event (Canungra/Stanthorpe Bushfires, Sep 2019)
– 5 Day Deployment to Baffle Creek Bushfires (Agnes Waters) as a Community Liaison Officer (Dec 2019)
– Functional Team Leader Community Engagement (April 2018 – current) – scout visits, school fetes, team building nights, resourcing, liaising with external stakeholders, ensuring team are aligned with correct messaging, etc
– Queensland Fire & Emergency State level community engagement – Ekka, Brisbane Home Show, ‘Get Ready’ Week, Operation Knock Knock (video for social media)
– Team Leader & presenter for My Resilient Schools program (Grade 5/6 disaster preparedness)
– Northern Group Support Club Secretary (July 2018 – Dec 2019) – meeting organisation, fundraising (Bunnings BBQs), minutes, etc
– New Recruit Liaison – ensuring new volunteers are taken care of during probationary training.
– Other events: Brisbane SES Unit crowd support events (Radio Operator in Field Command or Police Operations Centre) – Riverfire, NYE, Bridge to Brisbane, ANZAC Day, Operation Fortis (Prince Charles & Camilla Welcome to City), Brisbane City Xmas Parade (King George Square)

GEEK SPEAK – Starting out dusting shelves in a comic book shop in 2012, Amanda Bacchi was a part of a Youtube web series as the ‘girly geek’ host, interviewer, media liaison, podcaster and scriptwriter, discussing current TV series, movies, gaming, comics, books, and local events. Amanda’s crafty communication skills managed to wrangle the program onto 5 community TV channels across Australia and New Zealand for 2 seasons.

31 DIGITAL – An interview about the webseries led to a permanent co-hosting gig with the weekly, variety/comedy program The Late Night Show LIVE on Brisbane’s Community TV channel, 31 Digital, as their pop culture correspondent from 2012-14.

ZOMBIE WALK – Media coverage of Brisbane Zombie Walk in 2012 lead to Amanda hosting their main stage and costume competition in 2014-17. She was crowned the Australian Zombie Walk Queen (by Foxtel) for her cosplay in 2013, and judged cosplay competitions for the Brisbane Alternative Expo and Drawn2Life in 2013/14.

OZ COMIC CON – After conducting some impromptu guest interviews for the Oz Comic-Con media team, Amanda was recruited to be a core staff member, and Stage 3 Coordinator for 17 of their conventions, from 2014-18. She was a host/moderator for comic book artists/creators, voice actors, film actors, and writer/author/publisher guests for the Oz Comic Con popular culture conventions across Australia.

#CHAOSFARM – In her spare time, she can be found at the Chaos farm; the home base for D’Aguilar Wildlife, for which she has been an animal trainer and presenter at shows, schools, and conventions for many years.

She is an avid gardener, loves to read, watches WAY too much Netflix, and spends lots of time with her family, friends, and birds.

For more information/resume – see Linked In Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandabacchi/