Writers and Contributors

Virginia Hill was first introduced to microwaving in 1977 when demonstrating for the Sharp Corporation. In 1980, in recognition of the need for wider education about microwaving, Virginia established her Melbourne consultancy the Microwaving Cooking Centre and has presented ongoing classes regularly since then.
The Centre is the recognised authority on microwaving and cooking for people living with Diabetes in Australia, with companies and individuals relying on Virginia’s expertise, educational facilities and books.
With 10 titles, Virginia has sold almost one million books and appears on television and radio. Her Pastiche food column has been a welcome addition to Fifty-Plus News since April 2004.
For details about Virginia’s cooking classes and publications visit her website at http://www.virginiahill.com.au

Jill Margo is one of Australia’s most respected health journalists. Her work has won more than a dozen international and national awards, including a Walkley Award. She has written for The Australian Financial Review and has published bestsellers in the fields of biography and health. Her books include: Frank Lowy: Pushing the Limits, Man Maintenance and Man Maintenance II and most recently Living On, with Emily Margo.
In 2006, she was awarded the Order of Australia for her pioneering work in journalism and for her contribution to cancer awareness. During her 30-year career in journalism, Jill Margo has worked for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Australian. Jill has been a valued contributor to Fifty-Plus News since July 2000. She lives in Sydney with her three children.

Kevin Bailey is a Principal and Private Client Adviser of the Shadforth Financial Group, former director of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and was made a Fellow of the FPA in 2005. He is the author of Money Guide and Money Guide 2 and contributes regularly to many newspapers and journals.
Kevin is a director of world humanitarian aid organisation, Austcare and a director of The Xanana Vocational Education Trust providing aid to East Timor. Kevin was awarded a Williamson Fellowship by Leadership Victoria in 1999 and more recently was further recognised as the recipient of the 2006 Fellows Community Leadership Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the community. He has been made a Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary International.
Kevin served with the SAS Regiment in the Australian Army. He is the Honorary Consul General for East Timor in Victoria and the patron of Life, Love and Health, a charity established to support women and children in East Timor.
He is married to Grace. They have seven children and are committee members of the Marriage Education Program in Melbourne. They run many short courses on marriage preparation.

Ben Knight – Grape Expectations. After starting out as a waiter in 1997, Ben’s career has developed over the years to include writing and managing wine lists of up to 500 wines. In addition, he has travelled to various wine regions in the world and assisted with the wine making process with some of Australia’s leading winemakers, creating an expansive frame of reference.
Ben has successfully completed Level 2 Intermediate and Level 3 Advanced Certificate in Wines and Spirits and is a Certified Sommelier.
He is a member of Sommeliers Australia, and currently consults on the wine list for Bottega Restaurant, The Commoner, and Punch Lane and writes for his website: www.benandwine.com He has contributed his column Grape Expectations to Fifty-Plus News since September 2007.
Ben’s philosophy on wine is simple: drink it and enjoy it.

Clive Luckman – Genealogy. Past president of the Genealogical Society of Victoria, Clive Luckman graduated in history and politics before a career in Defence Intelligence. A lifelong interest in history has expanded during the past 20 years into family history. His family history publications include: Some Stockings and Albrights in the U.S.A. and Australia: a family history and James and Rosina Luckman, convicts in Tasmania: my earliest Australian ancestors.

Clive has contributed our popular monthly Genealogy column since August 2006.