Advocacy group The Parenthood announce Wendy McCarthy AO as inaugural patron

The Parenthood, an independent, not-for-profit, parent advocacy organisation that seeks to ensure the voices of mums, dads, grandparents and carers are heard and represented in the national discourse to influence decision-makers and gain positive policy changes for families and children, has announced the appointment of Wendy McCarthy AO as its inaugural patron.

Ms McCarthy, an eminent Australian leader, community advocate and director, has held executive and non-executive director roles in many of Australia's leading private and public institutions including the ABC, the Australian Bicentennial Authority, the National Trust, the Australian Heritage Commission, Symphony Australia, Circus Oz, Goodstart Early Learning and the Sydney Community Foundation.

From 1995-2005 she held the position of Chancellor of the University of Canberra, having commenced her career as a secondary school teacher, before moving out of the classroom into public life in 1968. Since that time she has been an advocate, educator and change agent in Australia and internationally.

Speaking about her appointment, Ms McCarthy expressed her delight in accepting, saying “for more than 60 years I have cared deeply about the central role of the child in our world. Every family deserves the best possible help to be good parents.”

Executive Director of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, said Ms McCarthy’s expertise, skills and values “are so firmly aligned with The Parenthood’s vision to make Australia the best place in the world to parent” and that her appointment represents “a significant and exciting development” in the group’s history, one which she hopes will “further contribute to the future direction of Australia by advancing positive policies for families and children”.

“The Parenthood’s vision is easy to support and by being its Patron I hope I can offer wisdom and experience to its team,” Ms McCarthy said in closing.

Further information about the work undertaken by The Parenthood may be found here.