Rae Morey on WordPress, Journalism, and Life from Tasmania to Melbourne

Send us Fan Mail An unexpected conversation with a graduate of the University of Tasmania who got a degree in journalism and computer science and knows how life can change with the flick of a finger. I had the pleasure of chatting with Rae Morey, who shared some fascinating insights about her life and work. We started off with a geography lesson, as Rae explained that she was born in Devonport, Tasmania—a regional city on the island state at the southernmost part of Australia. Although she now lives in Melbourne, Rae reminisced about her time growing up in such a remote place and the unique experiences that shaped her.Rae left Tasmania about 15 years ago after feeling the need for a change. She initially moved to Japan, where she spent a year teaching high school students before settling in Melbourne, which is where she met her husband, Marcus. Their love story began in a craft beer bar, where they bonded over a shared interest in travel, despite having very different backgrounds and interests. Rae’s love for Marcus wasn’t instant, but over time, their relationship blossomed, and they recently tied the knot in October 2023. They now have a four-year-old son named Jackson, who keeps them both on their toes.A journalist by training, Rae shared her journey into the field and how her passion for technology and storytelling led her to pursue a combined degree in journalism and computer science at the University of Tasmania. Despite the skepticism she faced from faculty at the time, her dual interests have served her well. Rae early experiences in journalism included creating a community newsletter as a teenager, which laid the foundation for her later work in the WordPress community.Rae is perhaps best known in the WordPress community for her work on the repository newsletter, which she’s been running for over four years. She shared how the newsletter started as a small project with just a few subscribers, but it quickly gained traction and now has over a thousand regular readers. The newsletter curates the latest news and insights from the WordPress ecosystem, and Rae takes pride in highlighting members of the community each week.In addition to her work on the repository, Rae has a day job in communications and strategy for the City of Melbourne’s Architect’s Office. She spoke about the importance of architecture in shaping our daily lives and how her work helps elevate the city’s design excellence. However, Rae heart remains with WordPress, and she’s considering returning to the community full-time in the near future.We wrapped up the conversation with Rae recommending John Ng from Human Made as a future guest for the podcast. She noted his deep involvement in the WordPress community and his expertise in the enterprise space. It was a pleasure to chat with Rae and learn more about her journey, both personal and professional.