Meet Lane Cove Local Claire Moffat Author of The Phoenix Project

Lane Cove author Claire Moffat has published The Phoenix Project, a new book exploring career reinvention for women over 50, with much of the manuscript written at Lane Cove Library, where the official launch will be held in August.

The Phoenix Project examines how women can rethink work, income and opportunity in the later stages of their careers, drawing on experience, lateral thinking and new economic possibilities.

While other books touch on midlife work and reinvention, The Phoenix Project brings a distinct Australian voice to the conversation about career reinvention for women over 50.

“While researching The Phoenix Project, I discovered that many Australian women over 50 are deeply concerned about the impact of ageism and AI on their careers and financial stability,” Claire Moffat said.

“Yet there are very few gender-specific guides for this large and often overlooked demographic.

“According to recent research from UNWomen, senior women are significantly more exposed than men to jobs at high risk of automation, with the risks especially pronounced in female-dominated occupations.”

Who is Claire Moffat?

Claire Moffat is a former global conference speaker and business editor whose new book, The Phoenix Project, explores reinvention, economic power and the changing realities facing women over 50.

She writes about income, authority and next-act strategy for experienced women who refuse to become invisible. After more than four decades as a journalist, digital media pioneer and global speaker on women and technology, Claire now focuses on one central idea:

Your real career may begin at 50.

ITC asked Claire the following:

What prompted you to write The Phoenix Project?

It was my own lived experience of financial insecurity when I turned 60. A property settlement went very badly for me, and I lost all my assets, including my home, profitable business and superannuation.

It was then that I experienced the immense challenges faced by senior single women in Australia in maintaining a comfortable lifestyle without a well-paying job. I have faced ageism, covert control and other levels of workplace discrimination over the past decade. But also, the negative stereotypes around older women were the most disturbing.

I came across research which claimed that Generation X (roughly ages 41-56) is widely considered the most indebted generation, often described as “asset-rich but strategy-poor” or caught in a “triple squeeze” of mortgage, child support, and elder care.

Gen X women, specifically, face higher financial risk due to career breaks, lower superannuation, and a higher likelihood of managing household debt while caring for aging parents and children simultaneously.

These women are facing a crisis.

Is this your first book?

Yes, it is my first book, although I have worked as a senior business journalist, editor and publisher throughout my career.

I graduated from Australia’s first university with a degree in Journalism in the late seventies and went on to become an investigative business journalist with John Fairfax & Son’s weekly newspaper, The National Times.

Was it difficult to get it published or is it self-published?

The chances of a new author being published by traditional publishing companies are very low, and it is also a slow process.

At 70, I wanted to move quickly, so I worked with a Melbourne-based publishing/mentoring firm which handled all the editing, design concept, positioning and liaison with Ingram Spark, the US printer and distributor.

I was part of a global community of writers working on a wide range of books.

How Long Have You Lived in Lane Cove?

I moved to Lane Cove in late 2024, but I have deep connections to the suburb.

My great-grandmother, Sarah Condran, lived with her daughter, Pearl Guthrie, and husband, Gerald Guthrie, on a large property in 8 Birdwood Avenue.

Gerald was also the Post Master at the Crows Nest Post Office in the 1940s. Sarah died at home in 1949, and her funeral was held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.

My mother, Angela, and her five sisters also grew up in Hunters Hill and attended Villa Maria. They all married in the Church. Mum passed away in Greenwich Hospital in 2007.

What are your favourite things to do in Lane Cove?

My happy Lane Cove activities are:

• Writing and researching in the excellent library and attending events here.
• Shopping at the great fashion outlets especially Taking Shape and Lifeline.
• Catching the really fast bus to the city from the Interchange.
• Sitting on a bench in the Canopy with a friend in the late afternoon and then having a leafy walk
• Really enjoying all the wonderful performances and entertainment on offer
• Of course reading In The Cove every week

Where is your favourite coffee shop?

By far, it has to be The Junction in the Plaza. They make the best sticky chai tea, they are ALWAYS happy and they have been with me on my writing journey. The chef, Junmin has already bought a copy of my book!

If you could change one thing about Lane Cove what would it be?

I can’t think of a thing, except perhaps a better service for the 252 bus route!

Phoenix Project – Where Can I Buy it?

The Phoenix Project is available at Burns Bay Bookery.

You can sign up to Claire’s newsletter here

Instagram: @clairesphoenixproject/

Order your copy online here.