User:Richard K Llewellyn

Barrett Reid 1926 - 1995. dedicated his life to the creation, support and nurturing of the arts in Australia. His collection of poetry “Making Country” was released just after he passed away in 1995 and remains a testament to his talent as a poet and his depth and generosity as a person. Although Barrett never sought public acknowledgement for his work, Melbourne University recognised his great contribution by bestowing on him an honorary Doctorate of Laws, in 1995. At his request, Barrett Reid will continue to support the arts posthumously. In his will, Barrett left provision for the establishment of the Barrett Reid Bequest, an Annual Poetry Prize.

Born in Queensland in 1926, Barrett Reid lived in Melbourne from 1951. His close friends included John & Sunday Reed, Sidney Nolan, Arthur Boyd, Max Harris,Shelton Lea and many other prominent artists and writers. He had a lifelong involvement in Australian Arts, and was associated with literary magazines in Australia since he became the youngest contributor to the influential modernist journal Angry Penguins. He went on to co-edit Barjai and Ern Malley’s Journal and was associated with Overland for over twenty years, from 1965 to 1993. Founder and chair of Australian Book Review, Barrett Reid also published extensively on Australian art throughout his lifetime. His publications include: "Of Dark and Light: The Art of John Perceval" "Making It New in Australia" "Words on Walls" "Restudy and The Unknown Reader" A pioneer advocate of Public Lending Right, Barrett Reid was Chairman of the Australian government’s Public Lending Right Committee. He held many senior positions with organisations such as the Library Association of Australia, the Australian Library Promotion Council, the Contemporary Art Society, the Museum of Modern Art, Melbourne and Victorian Premier’s Literature Awards. In 1983, Barrett Reid was made a member of the Order of Australia.