2026 E.M. Fletcher Writing Competition Judges

Terry Fewtrell 

Terry, a long‑term Canberra resident, spent 33 years in the Australian Public Service followed by 11 years with consulting firm Yellow Edge. A career highlight was working on the new Parliament House project, liaising with architects, builders and parliamentarians, and helping explain the building to stakeholders and the public. His long standing interest in Australian identity is reflected in his involvement with the Australian Republican Movement and the Wattle Day Association.  His book George, Elise and a Mandarin: Identity in Early Australia, was highly commended in the 2018 ACT Writing and Publishing Awards. Since the Royal Commission, he has been active in Catholic Church reform and became Chairperson of Concerned Catholics Canberra Goulburn in 2025. He holds a Communications degree from UTS and has received major public communication awards.

 

Barbara Broad

Barbara’s love of family history began in childhood, inspired by stories from her large Northern Rivers family. After qualifying as a Registered Nurse and Midwife, she worked in Canberra and later completed a Master of Education, leading to roles in health promotion and the public service. She served on the inaugural planning committee for the E.M. Fletcher Writing Competition from its launch in 2019 and remained active on the committee and editorial team until retiring in 2024 to take on caring responsibilities. Her interest in genealogy and creative writing has been strengthened through FHACT special interest groups, including the Family Tree Maker group, which she initiated and facilitated for over five years. She records her family history through short stories, memoirs, and her blog Cook Books and Memories.

 

Margaret Clough 

Margaret has lived in Canberra since 1972. She studied Arts at Monash and ANU, later completing postgraduate work at the University of Canberra and the University of Auckland. Her career included primary teaching in the ACT, tertiary teaching at the University of Canberra, and serving as principal of Weetangera Primary School. A lifelong reader whose early writing hopes were discouraged ended up publishing five books, including two local histories. In retirement she has sought adventure travelling widely to places like Sikkim, the Oman dunes and Everest Base Camp.  She has also supported refugee families and spent twenty years undertaking conservation work on Mt Ainslie. A dedicated supporter of the E.M. Fletcher Writing Competition, she won prizes in 2022 and 2025 and looks forward to judging in 2026.