Freo Press Writes A New Chapter

Fremantle Press, Freo’s proudly not-for-profit, longest standing WA independent book publisher, which has nurtured and developed talented writers and artists since it was set up in 1976, has a new home, along with CircusWA, at the historic SEC Substation, 10 Parry Street, Fremantle.

And on top of that achievement, the Press early next year will celebrate the 50 years it has been sharing important Western Australian stories with us all – stories like Albert Facey’s A Fortunate Life.

Not surprisingly, Fremantle Press is moving ahead with confidence after securing a Lotterywest $722,226 grant that will be used to fit-out its new home and hopefully pave the way for the next 50 years.

Simone McGurk MLA (centre) with Alex Allan and Clair Medhurst of Fremantle Press (on her left and right) together with Charlotte Kenny and Joel Evans from CircusWA

The grant, that was fittingly announced today by Simone McGurk, MLA for Fremantle and Minister for Creative Industries; Heritage; Industrial Relations; Aged Care and Seniors; and Women, will ensure that both the Press and CircusWA have a sound Fremantle presence going into the future.

For the Press, the grant takes it to within half a million dollars of its total fundraising goal.

Fremantle Press Chair Clair Medhurst hamming it up for the camera

Press Chair Clair Medhurst said she was elated to have secured Lotterywest support and excited to see the iconic heritage building occupied and activated by the Press’s 50th Anniversary, which will fall on Friday 24 April 2026. She said that after almost a decade of working towards a permanent home, ‘which at times felt like a pipe-dream’, the Press was excited to be breaking ground and getting started.

The Press’ fit-out plans, which were released today, include a dedicated podcast room, a place to house 50 years’ worth of published books, space for CircusWA and interns, and, most importantly, room to grow the business’ sustainably and accessibly.

Fremantle Press CEO Alex Allan (left) and Simone McGurk MLA

CEO Alex Allan added that the Fremantle Press Building Fund had received another significant boost in the form of $50,000 in matched funding through Creative Australia’s Plus1, with every dollar pledged before May 2026 effectively doubled.

Creative Australia’s State Manager for Development and Partnerships WA, James Boyd, said:

‘Over the past five decades Fremantle Press has become an independent publishing house of national significance. Now the Press will have space to grow, space to increase its impact and space to foster greater connections between storytellers and their audience. We’re proud to play a role in securing the Press’s first permanent home.’

Lotterywest joins Adrian and Michela Fini, the State Government, Wright Burt Foundation and a list of generous financial and pro bono supporters helping make the building project possible.

Fremantle Press has purchased a 35% share in the old SEC Substation with the support of Adrian and Michela Fini, who have offered favourable loan terms to the Press. Ballpoint Construction Group has already commenced the fit-out with a projected completion date of mid-March 2026.

This will all come to a head on the deadline date of Friday 24 April 2026, when Fremantle Press will celebrate its 50th anniversary with an Open Day and a gala event in its brand new Parry Street headquarters!

* By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News

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