Fremantle Press names new patrons as Barry McGuire steps down
Fremantle Press farewelled patron Barry McGuire and welcomed two new patrons at its 50-year anniversary celebration on Friday 24 April. Helen Milroy is the Patron of Readers while Annie Fogarty takes on the role of Patron of Writers.
Fremantle Press Chair Clair Medhurst said she had enjoyed working with Barry since 2022. Clair said, ‘Barry provided much-needed support for the Press during a particularly intense time of change, and contributed to how we define our ongoing mission to support local stories. Barry is a respected cultural leader and a personal friend. He will be missed.’
Medhurst said part of the process of nurturing our creators was connecting them with readers. She said the new appointments recognised that publishing is about both creating and sharing stories.
Helen Milroy is an accomplished storyteller whose passion for health led to her becoming an expert in child and adolescent psychiatry. She’s a leading voice on the importance that stories, literacy and reading have to the wellbeing of the community.
Helen Milroy said she was honoured to be Patron of Reading. Helen said, ‘I love stories and love seeing how children and parents respond to the stories. Reading is a great way to learn, and I hope I can do the role justice.’
Annie Fogarty believes deeply in providing leadership opportunities to young writers to help build strong communities. She was the driving force behind the Fogarty Literary Award, which has created an incredible platform for young writers in Western Australia.
Annie Fogarty said she is proud of her involvement with Fremantle Press – as a past board member, a partner in the Waarda series and the Fogarty Literary Award and now as Patron. Annie said, ’I believe that we need to see ourselves in books that we read and that it is essential for us to nurture our local storytellers – who are telling the stories of where we live, our history and our culture. And this is what the Fremantle Press do so well. I hope as Patron to support the Press to nurture many more authors to tell many more of our important and awesome stories.’
Clair Medhurst said both Annie and Helen were held in high esteem in their respected fields, and that their advocacy would help broaden the organisation’s reach. She said, ‘Each exemplifies the qualities that the organisation aspires to. We look forward to working with them.’
More information about the patrons
Professor Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Helen studied medicine at the University of Western Australia. She is a Winthrop Professor at UWA, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, a board member with Beyond Blue and the AFL’s first Indigenous Commissioner.
Annie Fogarty is Executive Chairperson of the Fogarty Foundation. She is involved in a number of boards and advisory groups including the boards of Screenwest and John Curtin Gallery, is an ambassador for the Children and Young People WA, EdConnect and a member of the Curtin Academy Advisory Board. Annie was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2013 for her work in the advancement of education in Western Australia.