Michelle Pini is an experienced journalist and broadcaster who holds a Masters in Communication from Deakin University. She is currently managing editor of popular news website Independent Australia. Her prior marketing career within the wine industry spanned over 20 years and included corporate management roles as well as her own marketing consultancy. Michelle’s freelance work has appeared in a variety of publications and she presented a popular drive-time community radio program for radio station 94.1 3WBC in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs for several years. Michelle is an enthusiastic advocate for social equity, human rights and the environment, and an active community member. In Warrandyte, where she has lived for 17 years with her partner and two daughters, she has participated in and headed many community groups and championed local issues. Michelle was a regular contributor to the award-winning community newspaper Warrandyte Diary for many years, both as a reporter and sub-editor.