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New book recaps rollicking career of Seatrade's Sydney-based correspondent

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The book cover pictures the author aboard ship in her P&O Cruises uniform. Behind her, the Sydney Opera House is under construction
From assignments around the world to interviewing figures like the Shah of Iran and Princess Grace of Monaco, covering top cruise events and even learning how to fly a plane (including spins and stalls) for a story, Australian journalist Helen Hutcheon has had a fascinating career.

Highlights are captured in her new book, Away With Words (Paddington, NSW, Australia: Impact Press, 2016).

Hutcheon is the Sydney-based Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review and Seatrade Cruise News.

She began her career with a cadetship at The Harbour, a shipping magazine in Sydney, before joining the public relations department of P&O Cruises, 'a dream job.' There, Hutcheon promoted sea travel on ships like Himalaya, Arcadia, Iberia, Canberra, Orsova, Ocrades and Oronsay. She often was the face of P&O Cruises, appearing on television and at events.

Hutcheon went on to become a writer and editor at Woman's Day, where she traveled to Saigon during the Vietnam War on a touching charity mission and, back home, (secretly) took flying lessons for a story. She then served as news editor of the Australian Women's Weekly.

While editing Vogue Living magazine, Hutcheon interviewed celebrated designers including Bill Blass and Diane von Furstenberg, in their homes. She then spent almost 20 years at the trade paper Travelweek.

Away With Words is rich with cruise anecdotes. In 1986, Hutcheon was asked to relaunch Sitmar's Fairstar after its refit with the traditional champagne during festivities in Sydney Harbour. Another highlight was reporting on the naming of P&O's Oriana by Queen Elizabeth in Southampton. And, after searching the world for the perfect martini, Hutcheon found it on a Holland America Line ship.

Now, for Seatrade, she covers one of cruising's most important and growing regions. Hutcheon has been congratulated on Away With Words from cruise industry figures like Carnival Australia's Ann Sherry, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings' Steve Odell and the Port of Newcastle's David Brown.

Away With Words can be ordered for worldwide shipment from The Book Depository.