DESK JOCKEY
JUSTIN WALKER LOVES THE OUTDOORS SO MUCH HE EDITED TWO RECREATIONAL MAGS AT THE SAME TIME.
IT’S HARD to forget my time on 4X4 Australia. It was my first full-time journalism gig and I snuck in to 4X4 HQ in 2005 initially as sub-editor, with Deano as the boss back in those days. I loved (and still love) working on the mag. The combo of a great editorial team, regular contributors, loyal advertisers and an off-road touring community that was seriously passionate about everything four-wheel driving saw me stay until 2011 (and now I’m a freelancer). I spent the last 18 months of my tenure as editor. My time in the big chair at 4X4 was fantastic, if a bit tumultuous. At the same time I was also tackling the same role at Australian Geographic Outdoor mag, which I still edit to this day, so it was pretty frantic (not helped by a staff issue and ‘title review meetings’ with publishers) but enjoyable at the same time.
Funnily enough – or rather, sadly – being the editor meant I spent more time than ever behind the desk, as opposed to being out in the bush exploring in a 4x4 – my main passion that remains to this day. I always used to grit my teeth a bit when I sent some lucky contributor on an epic adventure, with the biggest teeth-grinding decision sending now-editor Matt Raudonikis on what looked to be an amazing two weeks driving the Canning Stock Route in a Mercedes-benz G-wagen. Really, though, those decisions weren’t that hard, as I was just stoked to be producing what I reckon is still the best off-road touring mag in the country, with a top team of contributors to keep it all running smoothly.
A highlight as editor includes a frantic (and crazy) three-day visit to the USA for the launch of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, a vehicle that boosted the US off-road icon’s stature. The crazy part? The entire 72 hours encompassed both the flight over, the one-day/one-night drive experience, and then the flight back.