The Di Gribble Argument

The Di Gribble Argument honours the contribution of an extraordinary powerhouse of Australian public life, providing an indelible addition to the national debate.

The late Di Gribble was a force in Australian cultural and intellectual life. Publisher, editor, businesswoman: her impact on the world of books, writing and ideas cannot be overstated. Together with Hilary McPhee, Di Gribble established McPhee Gribble in 1975. McPhee and Gribble were the first to publish such iconic Australian writers such as Helen Garner, Tim Winton, and Kaz Cooke, to name a few. In 1990, Gribble went on to found Text Publishing together with the inaugural Chair of the Wheeler Centre, Eric Beecher, attracting writers like Tim Flannery, Peter Singer, and Shane Maloney. Not many can say that they founded two iconic publishing houses within their lifetime; suffice to say that Di Gribble’s influence on Australian literature is sure to be felt for a long time to come.