Katie Cocks joined Dewick & Associates in 2025. She has bought a wealth of experience across diverse industries and a passion for producing clear, practical technical documentation. Katie’s approach combines technical expertise with a creative problem-solving mindset, making her a valuable addition to the team.

Since joining D&A, Katie has applied her expertise across a diverse array of projects. Reflecting on her role, she shares what she finds most rewarding about the role of a technical writer:

“Every project I work on is different. No two jobs are ever the same. It can range from a single commercial AC replacement right through to a full multi-storey apartment fit-out, each with its own challenges. I also get exposure to a huge mix of industries, from small commercial tenancies to large government buildings, as well as manufacturing sites, warehouses, zoos, correctional facilities and everything in between.

“I really enjoy learning about different systems too, especially ones that have been new to me. For example, I had no idea what chilled beams were before I joined D&A. It’s also interesting to see how much systems vary depending on location. The way HVAC is approached in Australia can be wildly different compared to the UK or North America.”

Katie’s Professional Experience

Katie, has a Diploma of Science focused on Animal Health & Biosecurity, and has developed extensive expertise in process integrity and technical writing. Having authored SOPs in the food, beverage, and medical manufacturing sectors, Katie excels at transforming complex information into user-friendly documentation which is clear, concise, and compliant.

Kate’s breadth of experience allows her to adapt to the unique challenges of each project while delivering high-quality documentation that supports safe, efficient handover and operations.

“I like to see things differently and think outside of the box. My previous experience in pharmaceutical and beverage manufacturing, as well as agriculture, gives me unique insights that I can apply to the diverse projects we encounter at D&A.”

Developing Skills Through Real-World Projects

Since joining Dewick & Associates, Katie has continued to develop her technical skills and deepen her understanding of construction documentation. Through exposure to a wide range of projects, she has gained valuable insight into the level of detail required to produce clear, accurate and reliable documentation. Reflecting on her first year at D&A, Katie shares what she has learnt and what she enjoys most about her role.

“I really enjoy the nitty-gritty technical aspects of technical writing, especially on the more uncommon or unusual projects. There’s a real sense of pride in encountering a new system and having the knowledge to understand and document how it works.”

“Over my first twelve months at D&A, I’ve definitely gained a strong appreciation for how clear, well-structured, and correct documentation is such an important aspect within the construction industry. I feel that the average person doesn’t fully comprehend how technical and how much documentation is required, even for small projects.”

Stand Out Projects

Katie reflects on the projects that have stood out most during her time at Dewick & Associates to date, from technically complex environments to locally meaningful builds and international work. Each project brought its own challenges and learning opportunities, shaping her approach to documentation and deepening her understanding of how buildings operate in very different contexts. The following examples highlight the work she found most rewarding and why they left a lasting impression.

Mechanical O&M Manual for an HVAC fit-out, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Brisbane Regional Office Laboratory.
“ It was for a government/customs laboratory inspecting incoming plant/animal materials. I really enjoyed this project because I could lean on my previous clean room/manufacturing experience to describe how the positive/negative pressure systems worked and why they are used.”

A Builder’s Handover Manual for the new Nuriootpa Traders Depot, South Australia.
“ This was a fun project because I live near the Barossa, and have previously worked within the wine industry where I would see the Nuri Trader trucks almost every day.  It was super interesting seeing all the local companies who had a role in the construction, some of whom provided very niche services which I did not know existed!”

 Mechanical & Hydraulic O&M Manual for an Apartment Building in Canada.
“ This project definitely challenged me because of the differences between Australian and Canadian HVAC and hydraulic systems. At the same time, however, I learnt a lot about the different systems and why they are used. For example, in Australia we don’t normally have to worry about heating underground Car Parks, but for this project it required multiple gas fired unit heaters just to keep it above freezing and prevent ice forming in the entryway.”