Phil Doyle (Writer)

Phil Doyle (born 1967) is an Australian writer, poet and journalist.

Schooled at St Dominic's College near his hometown of Penrith in New South Wales, Doyle travelled extensively after leaving school at 15, being active first in Australian Labor Party politics (like his father before him) and then in music in Adelaide, Melbourne and the university town of Armidale in northern New South Wales.

Doyle moved to Canberra in 1997, shortly after the his début play "After The Rain", was performed at Melbourne's Organ Factory Theatre. In Canberra Doyle began to be published regularly, culminating in the release of his novella "A Book About Things That Didn't Happen" [http://www.biblioz.com/lp25762381135_307.html] by merge media in 1998. In 1999 he was the ACT finalist in Radio JJJ's Raw Comedy competition, televised from Melbourne Town Hall.

He went from there into journalism, moving back to Melbourne to edit the short lived "Shirtfront" magazine, an attempt to meld the world of popular culture with Australian Football, and revive his music career. Returning to the Blue Mountains in 2002 Doyle edited the "Sydney City Hub" and his own publication in the Blue Mountains before beginning an extensive stint as a writer with "Workers Online", where his offbeat and irreverent style quickly found a modicum of fame through his Tool Of The Week column and arcane monthly sports column. During this time he also wrote for union journals including for the ETU and the RTBU.

Doyle left the publisher, essential media communication, towards the end of 2006. "Workers Online" folded shortly after. Doyle, who continues to write, is known as an ardent advocate for the rights of working class people, being very active and vocal in the Your Rights At Work campaign in the Federal Seat of Macquarie in the lead up to the 2007 election.

Doyle is also known for his wit and observations of modern society.

Publications that have featured Doyle's work include: Overland, dB, AWU NSW, The Big Issue magazines, and The Age.