Jacqueline Bawtree

At the heart of my work is story: the stories we are creating, the stories we are living and ultimately, the stories we are sharing.

I am a relationship manager skilled in project and event management, writing and visual storytelling through photography, with lived experience working across cultural, political, sporting and not-for-profit activities through my portfolio career (see HER–STORY below).

Through my own business (2020-2022) I delivered written and photographic projects for clients including Brisbane Economic Development Agency, Redland City Council, Logan City Council, Park Tours, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Symbiosis International, QPAC and others. My achievements were acknowledged when I was announced as an inaugural recipient of a Brisbane 'Lord Mayor's Women in Business Grant' in early 2022.

My work included researching local histories and contemporary stories and connecting narratives to develop tourism itineraries, writing content including interviews, blogs, media releases and social media and complementing the projects with photographic packages.

Across the South-East Queensland region. I have been honoured to engage with artists, conservationists, Aboriginal storytellers and linguists, café owners, curators, market stallholders from across the world, sweet makers, performers, photographers, architects, filmmakers and more.

I have completed a number of projects and exhibitions of photographic artworks with more to come in the future.

HER–STORY

My love of storytelling for others comes from the incredible stories I have been a part of, working on the frontline during some key moments in recent Australian history in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

After starting my career in marketing (hotels) in Brisbane and public relations (healthcare) in Sydney, I joined the marketing team at World Vision Australia in the Melbourne head office. In the wake of the Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami (Boxing Day 2004) I was part of an incredible team under the relatively new leadership of The Rev Tim Costello.

Returning to Sydney, I joined the commercial (sponsorship) team at Football (Federation) Australia as the Socceroos headed off to their first FIFA World Cup Final in 32 years in 2006. I went on to also play a role in the success of the fledgling A-League, the Matildas and later, W-League.

A career break followed with an in-country immersion in Italian language and culture before a moped hospitalised me in Napoli propelling me home for a long and unexpected rehabilitation journey. This defining moment would ignite my passion to later study art through a Bachelor of Photography (QCA – Griffith University) and inspired the development of my travel memoir, 'Coming Home’ (published 2021).

But first I returned to spend two more years in Sydney where I ran the fundraising team for the McGrath Foundation before taking on a role as operations manager for the Sydney Sixers (cricket) where I delivered the first-ever match of the T20 Big Bash League at Sydney Cricket Ground.

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Moving back to Brisbane for study, I helped welcome world leaders to Brisbane during the G20 in 2014, managing transport logistics for multiple delegations, while completing the final semester of my photography degree.

During the AFC Asian Cup 2015 I managed hospitality for 10 international football teams along with a Sheik, a Prince and a Billionaire among other AFC and Local Organising Committee VIPs.

I collaborated with leading filmmakers from across the Asia Pacific to bring them to Brisbane for recognition at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (2015, 2016, 2019) as well as managing photography and communications for more recent events.

I went on to lead event teams at prominent Brisbane locations such as South Bank Parklands and Roma Street Parkland curating captivating experiences for guests attending events such as Regional Flavours and The Enchanted Garden.

Transitioning into arts sponsorship and development, I contributed to the success of the Brisbane Writers Festival before founding my own business in 2020.

Alongside my freelance work as The Urban Gypsy - Storyteller – capturing stories and content for local tourism businesses and organisations in South-East Queensland – I managed communications for Australian Bangladeshi NGO Symbiosis International, and took on some enriching side roles with the Queensland Museum Network and World Science Festival Brisbane.

During this time I also took time to publish my travel memoir Coming Home, about my experiences in Italy. From attending language school in Siena, to farm life on the Island of Elba, my journey culminates in the kindness of strangers during my hospital stay in Napoli and the profound connection I discovered with a masterpiece by Caravaggio revered by the city.

In 2023 I joined award-winning communications agency Aruga as Senior Writer, consolidating my writing experience through developing feature articles, media releases, blogs and more for clients including: Brisbane Airport Corporation, Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), Brisbane Festival, Brisbane Comedy Festival, Brisbane Writers Festival, Bolton Clarke, Economic Development Queensland, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Tourism and Events Queensland, World Science Festival Brisbane, The Cheesecake Shop, Subway, The University of Queensland and others, as well as delivering occasional photoshoots.

In 2024 I moved back to an inhouse role taking on the position of Head of Marketing and Audience Development at Queensland’s seventh major art organisation, La Boite Theatre, on the eve of celebrations as the theatre marks its 100th year of continuous operation.

I continue to explore creative writing and photographic art projects when possible. My current side project is putting together the fascinating life story of my parent’s, traversing their journey from England to Nigeria to Australia.