Kerry's Biography

Kerry Richard Wright was born on 10 November 1949 at Fairlight on Sydney's Northern Beaches in Australia. [click on images to enlarge them]

Kerry in 1953

Kerry's father, Raymond Harry Wright, was born on 24 November 1907 at the Royal Hospital for Women at Paddington in Sydney and died on 26 May 1977 at 14 Pacific Parade, Dee Why, Sydney (his residence), aged 69.

Ray Wright - 1920s

Kerry's mother, Emily Flora Wright nee Glover, was born on 16 July 1911 at Royal North Shore Hospital at St Leonards in Sydney and died on 19 November 1991 at Delmar Private Hospital at Dee Why in Sydney, aged 80.

Flora & Robert Wright - 1930s 

Kerry was the youngest of his parent's four sons.

Kerry in 1962

Because Kerry was so much younger than his three brothers, who soon flew the nest, he was virtually raised as an only child by his beloved, loving parents, whom he adored.

Ray & Flora Wright, 1970

Kerry was raised on Sydney's picturesque Northern Beaches, where he lived for the first 43 years of his life, with a couple of diversions along the way. He relocated to Annandale in Sydney's leafy, harbourside Inner-West in 1993, and retired to the seaside village of Nambucca Heads on the up-state Pacific east coast of New South Wales in 2015.

Kerry mowing the lawn at Nambucca Heads in 2017

Kerry was introduced to the Nambucca Valley in the early 2000s by dear friend, Kevin Hewgill, after Kevin had relocated there from Sydney. Many happy holiday visits followed over the years and it was thanks to Kevin that Kerry ultimately came to retire to that beautiful region of New South Wales, renowned for its spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, wild rivers and pristine beaches.

"Study for Portrait of Kevin Hewgill" by Kerry Wright - 2023

In his youth, Kerry entered the cloister of the Carmelite Monastery at Winston Hills. The monastery has since fallen victim to the wrecking ball's might and the once sylvan, hilltop site has been reduced to a sad suburban blight of McMansions.

Kerry at Mount Carmel Monastery in 1970

After leaving the monastery, Kerry initially found employment in banking and was later employed for 30 years at Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, where he worked closely with the esteemed Professor Kathleen Evelyn (Kathy) Baker for much of that time. Through his maternal family, he had a long, pre-existing association with Royal North Shore Hospital. His mother was born there in 1911 and family members were part of a committee consisting of local citizens in the 1920/30s involved in volunteering and fundraising.

Kerry at Royal North Shore Hospital in 2003

Kerry's maternal, male line can be traced back to his Great-Grandfather and Great-Great-Grandfather, Henry Heath Snr and Henry Heath Jnr, who were London artists and lithographers. They migrated to Adelaide, South Australia, in 1849, where they added Glover to their surname, becoming Henry Heath Glover Snr and Henry Heath Glover Jnr. It is not known why they changed their name. 

"Mercury Island" by Henry Heath Glover Jnr, c.1864 

Henry Heath Glover Snr and Jnr are represented in various collections throughout Australia, including the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, the National Library of Australia in Canberra, the Art Gallery of South Australia and the State (Mitchell) Library of New South Wales. They are also represented in various collections throughout the world (conduct Google search for latest listings), including the National Portrait Gallery in London, where there are 29 works by Henry Heath Snr, the bequest of Sir Edward Dillon Lott du Cann.

"To Be Or Not To Be, That Is The Question" by Henry Heath (Glover) Snr, 1827 - National Portrait Gallery, London

Kerry's maternal, female line can be traced back to his Great-Great-Grandfather, David Senior, a Yorkshire lad from Dewsbury in England, who was arrested for stealing food to feed his family. He was transported to Australia on the convict ship "Theresa" in 1839. 

Kerry's paternal genealogy can be traced back to his Wright, Mansfield and Mullens ancestors, who migrated to Australia from Leicestershire and Cambridgeshire in England in the early 1800s. Further particulars continue to be researched and are incomplete at this time.

John Francis Mullens - 1905

Kerry followed in the footsteps of his maternal artist ancestors throughout his life. His preferred artistic medium is oil on canvas, portraiture being his primary passion. 

"Self Portrait in Carmelite Habit" by Kerry Wright - 1970

Abstraction is another significant interest. 

"In the Midnight Brightly" by Kerry Wright - 2001

During the 1980s/90s, Kerry calligraphically inscribed the names of graduands onto professional certificates in various disciplines within the nursing profession at Royal North Shore Hospital and for the Institute of Nursing Administrators of NSW & ACT, amongst others. 

He produced an extensive portfolio of satirical cartoons during the early 2000s. 

"A Baloney of Celebrity Chefs" by Kerry Wright - 2009

Kerry entered paintings in the Archibald Prize, Sulman Prize and Blake Prize without success, and contributed paintings to the Out Art exhibition as part of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival each year during the 1990s - with success!

"The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa of Avila" by Kerry Wright - 1984

Kerry’s godmother, Dorothy Cynthia Shiels nee Murrell (b. 2 Nov 1923), is his cousin. Their mothers, Flora and Gladys, were sisters. A much loved Aunty Mame figure in Kerry's life, Dorothy introduced him to the wonderful world of theatre and the arts from an early age, and often referred to him as the son she never had. 

Dorothy Shiels - 1940s

A constant throughout Kerry’s life has been his cherished, beloved friend, George John Chamberlain. George was born Gerhardus Johannes Van Rooyen at Geita in Tanzania, East Africa, on 28 May 1950, and attended the Hill School at Eldoret in Kenya, before migrating to Australia with his family in 1963 aboard the S S Galileo Galilei from Aden. After serving in the Royal Australian Navy, George moved to Sydney, where he and Kerry met one bright, sunny, Saturday afternoon in February 1973, in the home of mutual friends at 37 Lancaster Crescent, Long Reef, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

"Portrait of George Chamberlain" by Kerry Wright - 1980

In 2012 Kerry was honoured to be made a Governor of the Art Gallery of New South Wales Foundation.

Art Gallery of New South Wales

Robert Wright, et al - 1956

Manly-Warringah District Junior Rugby Football League

President's Cup Team

Season 1956

Here's a photo of my brother, Robert Wright, aged 19, with fellow team mates of the Manly-Warringah District Junior Rugby Football League President's Cup Team for 1956. Robert is in the middle row, second from the left (click on the image to enlarge it). 

I remember attending Robert's football games in the 1950s with my parents when I was a little boy. Rugby League was a brutal sport back then. Certainly not for the faint-hearted, either as a participant or as a spectator. It was, quite literally, a blood sport. I remember vividly seeing Robert splattered with blood, his own and that of rival team members, as he left the field after a game. This is one of the few remembrances I have of Robert from my childhood. That and the fact that he was very fit. He trained very hard and was into jogging long before jogging became trendy. He used to jog along the beach, on the sand, from North Narrabeen to Collaroy. I remember once asking our father why it was that Robert jogged on sand, which appeared to me to be much more difficult than jogging on a firm surface such as grass. Dad responded that that was exactly why he did it. He would have made an excellent Ancient Spartan, in more ways than one. 

Alas, all the glittering promise of Robert's gilded youth, academic and sporting, came to nothing. He was only 45 when he died of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1982, alone and unfulfilled.    

"Those whom the Gods wish to destroy they first call promising."

Robert Wright, et al - 1955

My brother, Robert Wright, was born in 1937, meaning he was 12 at the time of my birth in 1949. 

Whilst recently going through some old family photos in the collection of my late mother, I came across the above photo of Robert, et al. He is in the middle row, third from the left (click on the image to enlarge it). I can see so much of our dear mother’s sweet face in this youthful photo of my handsome big brother. 

I already knew he played competitive rugby league in the 1950s, with Sydney’s celebrated Manly-Warringah team, so seeing him pictured in such a photo as this came as no surprise. I did not, however, know the story behind this particular photo, nor what the caption “Twelve N S Trg Bn” meant. So I googled it and discovered “The Mighty 12^th”. Or to give it its correct title, “The Twelfth National Service Training Battalion”. I had not previously known that Robert had been conscripted. 

Through subsequent online research, I have since discovered that at that time in Australia, young men were conscripted into the Armed Forces at the age of 18, which was in 1955 in Robert’s case. That would have probably been when he first left home, which explains why I have little remembrance of him, as I was only 5 at the time. He moved away permanently soon afterwards and distanced himself from the family for the remainder of his life. I don’t know why, but I have my suspicions. He never married. He died of a cerebral haemorrhage at the age of 45 in 1982 and his remains are interred at Palmdale Lawn Cemetery and Memorial Park at Palmdale on the Central Coast of New South Wales.

To give you an idea of the difference in our ages - When the above photo of Robert was taken in 1955, I was in kindergarten at Narrabeen Infants’ School and would celebrate my 6^th birthday in the November of that year: 

Colourised:

Robert, Alan & Kerry Wright - 1951

L-R: Alan Wright, Kerry Wright, Robert Wright

1951

Here I am in the middle, aged 2, with my brothers Robert (R) and Alan (L). We are in the yard of our family home at 10 Mactier Street in Narrabeen on Sydney's Northern Beaches. It looks to be a lovely, bright, sunny day. From the appearance of our shadows (we're facing east), the photo was taken about 11 a.m. Alan seems to be making an attempt at preventing me from bolting towards the photographer, probably Mum or Dad. Mactier Street runs east to west, with the western end skirting Narrabeen Lake and the eastern end terminating in the Pacific Ocean at South Narrabeen beach. In this image, Mactier Street is located off camera to the right. There's a steep hill about half way along the street, part of which can be seen in the distance. In the background is one of the four coral trees Dad planted in the garden. The trees had grown considerably larger by the time I came to know and remember them. Our funny little house has long since been demolished and Dad's beautiful trees sadly went with it. An apartment building now stands at Number 10.

Flora, Robert & Kerry Wright - 1950

L-R: Robert Wright & Flora Wright

with baby Kerry Wright

1950

Not the best quality photo, somewhat out of focus, but the subject matter is pure gold. It shows my darling Mummy (Flora Wright) perching me (Kerry Wright) atop the seat of my brother Robert's bicycle. I recognize the background as our front yard at 10 Mactier Street, Narrabeen, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. I appear to be fixated on the photographer, probably Dad, whereas Mum and Robert seem to have eyes only for me. Mum and Robert are wearing light woollens, so I'm guessing this photo was probably taken some time around Autumn 1950. I experience a combination of joy and pathos when I view this image. Joy, for the love of my mother and brother, so tangibly displayed here. And pathos for the loss of them both, now passed away. An entire era ended, yet it was only such a short time ago. 

Robert & Kerry Wright - 1950

L-R: Robert Wright & Kerry Wright

1950

This humble, poorly focused family photo carries an enormous emotional impact for me. It shows my brother, Robert, cradling me in his arms. His radiant smile beams from the image, traversing the years and warming the heart. I have three older brothers, yet have little recollection of any of them showing me much in the way of affection during my childhood. It means a great deal to me, therefore, to see this beautiful photo of Robert and I together. It's heartening to have verification that I was loved and cherished by my brother. My brothers were in their teens when I was little, and I appreciate that teenage boys have much more important things on their minds than snot-nosed baby brothers. Robert was 12 when this photo was taken in the front yard of our home at 10 Mactier Street, Narrabeen, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. He left home not all that many years later, and we saw little of him following that. He moved away and distanced himself from the family. I don't know why. He died of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1982 at the early age of 45.

Ray, Robert, Alan & Kerry Wright - 1950

L-R: Alan Wright, Kerry Wright (front), Ray Wright, Robert Wright

1950

My father, Ray Wright, with his sons Robert (R), Alan (L) and me, Kerry, in the middle. My eldest brother, John, who would have then been 18, is absent. The photo was probably taken by my mother, Flora Wright, and it's likely location is the garden of our family home at 10 Mactier Street, Narrabeen, on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Even though I had three older brothers, I virtually grew-up as an only child, having no recollection of John living at home, and only fleeting memories of Robert's presence. Alan, the brother nearest in age to me, married when I was 12 but was little seen in the years leading up to his departure, being of an age when the nearby surf club and its inherent sporting and social distractions occupied much of his attention.

Louisa Mary Glover with Robert, Alan & Kerry Wright - Early 1950

L-R: Alan Wright, Louisa Mary Glover, baby Kerry Wright (front) & Robert Wright

1950

My maternal grandmother, Louisa Mary (May) Glover nee Turner (1870-1960), cradling me in her arms, with my brothers, L-R, Alan and Robert Wright, standing behind. As I was born in November 1949, this photo would have been taken in early 1950. Nanny and Papa lived next door to us and I spent much time in their company during the first ten years of my life. I cherish many wonderfully happy memories of them both to this day.

Royal Easter Show 1948

L-R: Robert Wright, Gladys Murrell, Alan Wright, Flora Wright

Royal Easter Show

1948

One of the few photos from the collection of my parents which records a date. On the reverse of this photo is written "Royal Easter Show 1948". It shows my mother, Flora Wright (R), with her sister, Gladys Murrell (Aunty Glad) and my brothers, Robert (L) and Alan (R) Wright. 

The Royal Easter Show is an annual event held at Easter each year, where Sydney's city folk get to experience, albeit tentatively, various aspects of rural life. Farmers and graziers from across country New South Wales bring their animals and produce to the city, to exhibit them in such variously diverse categories as "Best Bull" to "Best Lamington" and everything else in between, vying for the highly sought after and much prized ribbons and accolades awarded to the winners. 

As well as the animals and produce, there are also sideshows, rides, and junk food in abundance, all set amidst the bustling, manic atmosphere of Sydney Showground at Moore Park (since relocated to Homebush Bay in recent times). 

For children, one of the most exciting aspects of attending the Royal Easter Show is collecting show bags. At the time this photo was taken, show bags notoriously contained cheap toys, lollies and assorted tat, but were highly prized by children. My mother can be seen holding a couple of such show bags in this photo. Their more upmarket, modern equivalents are still available at the Show to this day. 

My little family group shown here would have travelled from Narrabeen on Sydney's Northern Beaches for their exciting big day out. Though a return journey of just 46 kilometres (28 miles), and easily negotiated today, in those days it would have been an intricate undertaking, involving multiple bus/ferry/train commutes over several hours. An exhausting exercise for all concerned, but certainly not to be missed.

Robert Wright - ca.1947

Robert Wright

ca.1947

My brother, Robert Harry Wright, was the second son of our parents, Ray & Flora Wright. Robert was born in 1937 and I'm guessing this photo was taken about 1947, a couple of years before I was born. 

This is one of my favourite photos of Robert. It was taken before he reached adulthood. Before all his woes began. He was blessed with a superior intellect and sporting prowess in abundance, none of which seems to have transitioned with him to adulthood. Nowadays, it would probably be said that he peaked too early. 

My mother once told me that Robert had been involved in a surfing accident at nearby Narrabeen Beach when he was in his teens. A surf board had crashed into his skull in the surf and lifted his scalp. Mum said Robert wasn't the same boy after that. He left home when I was still an infant. I have little recollection of him ever living at home. 

He was destined to die of a cerebral haemorrhage at the  age of 45 on 22 May 1982. Contributing factors to his early death may have been the surfing accident and also the rough and tumble biffo of Rugby League, which Robert played with the Manly-Warringah team in his youth.

I remember once attending a football game he was playing in, when I was only a small child. It was at Long Reef Oval on Sydney's Northern Beaches. From a very low trajectory, because I was so little, I can still see Robert leaving the field at the end of that game. His face was covered in blood. My mother was standing beside me, with tears running down her sweet face. I can still see it to this day. Rugby League was an extremely brutal game back then in the 1950s. 

Robert was the most handsome and charismatic of my brothers. I wish I'd known him better.

Robert Wright - ca.1947

Robert Wright - ca.1947

My brother, Robert Harry Wright, was the second son of our parents, Ray & Flora Wright. Robert was born in 1937 and I'm guessing this photo was taken about 1947, a couple of years before I was born. 

This is one of my favourite photos of Robert. It was taken before he reached adulthood. Before all his woes began. He was blessed with a superior intellect and sporting prowess in abundance, none of which seems to have transitioned with him to adulthood. Nowadays, it would probably be said that he peaked too early. 

My mother once told me that Robert had been involved in a surfing accident at nearby Narrabeen Beach when he was in his teens. A surf board had crashed into his skull in the surf and lifted his scalp. Mum said Robert wasn't the same boy after that. He left home when I was still an infant. I have little recollection of him ever living at home. 

He was destined to die of a cerebral haemorrhage at the  age of 45 on 22 May 1982. Contributing factors to his early death may have been the surfing accident and also the rough and tumble biffo of Rugby League, which Robert played with the Manly-Warringah team in his youth.

I remember once attending a football game he was playing in, when I was only a small child. It was at Long Reef Oval on Sydney's Northern Beaches. From a very low trajectory, because I was so little, I can still see Robert leaving the field at the end of that game. His face was covered in blood. My mother was standing beside me, with tears running down her sweet face. I can still see it to this day. Rugby League was an extremely brutal game back then in the 1950s. 

Robert was the most handsome and charismatic of my brothers. I wish I'd known him better.

Dorothy Shiels with John, Robert & Alan Wright - ca.1945

L-R: John Wright, Dorothy Shiels, Alan Wright (front) & Robert Wright - ca.1945

This sweet photo of my three older brothers L-R John, Alan and Robert Wright with our cousin, Dorothy Shiels nee Murrell, who is also my Godmother, was taken some five years before I was born. I can has it a guess, however, as to the story behind it. 

When I was a child, Dorothy would take me for excursions to the City (we lived at Narrabeen on Sydney's Northern Beaches, some 23km [14 miles] from the City) to attend live theatre (children's matinees and pantomimes) and visit galleries and museums. And I'm guessing that's what she is doing with my brothers here. 

Such outings in Dorothy's company had a profound influence on my cultural awakening and upbringing and I will always be grateful to her for that. And they were exciting too, because they involved either a trip on the top-deck of the double-decker 190 Wynyard bus or a ferry trip across the Harbour from Manly. 

Alas, however, from what I remember of my brothers, their primary interests were in football and surfing, so I'm not sure that Dorothy's cultural expeditions had the same impact on them, as they did on me. 

My three older brothers had largely grown out of such things by the time I was old enough to join Dorothy on her outings and I had her all to myself. I was like an eager sponge, soaking-up everything she had to impart. I was a delicate, effete child, who was destined to grow-up gay, and had a natural, inherent interest in the arts. 

That's not to say my brothers didn't enjoy their outings with Dorothy. I'm sure they did. I can't help but think, however, that they may have been just as happy kicking a football around the back-yard at home. 

This was an era when people "dressed" to go to the City, even if it was just a mundane shopping trip. My mother has clearly spiffed-up my brothers in their Sunday best here and Dorothy looks resplendent in her 1940s ensemble and hairstyle.  

Ray, Flora, Robert & Alan Wright - ca.1945

L-R: Ray, Robert, Flora & Alan Wright - ca.1945

This lovely family snap of my mother and father, Ray & Flora Wright, with my bothers Robert (L) and Alan (R), was taken in Martin Place, Sydney. The famous northern colonnade of the GPO (now Westin Hotel) can be seen in the left background. 

As for estimating the date, some amateur sleuthing will be necessary. I am guessing it was taken in 1945 for a number of reasons, not least of all  being Robert's (b.1937) and Alan's (b.1940) ages. From the way everyone is dressed, particularly the boys' sandals, it is clearly summertime. Dad is in Australian Army uniform, though there would appear to be an absence of formal insignia thereon. Following service in the Pacific during World War 2, Dad was discharged from the Army on 14 December 1945. 

For all these reasons and also because of the way Robert and Alan are positively beaming, perhaps because their Dad has just returned safely from the War, I am going to venture a guess that this photo may have been taken on 14 December 1945, the day of Dad's discharge. Mid-Summer in Australia.

Flora & Robert Wright - ca.1940

Flora & Robert Wright - ca.1940

In the absence of a date on the original, I am guessing this photo of my mother, Flora Wright, was taken some time around 1940. When going out for a day of shopping in those days, women dressed in their finest attire, complete with hat and gloves. At the height of a scorching Sydney summer, it was often too hot to actually wear the gloves, but they were still carried, as dictated by the fashion of the day. And Mum can be seen here carrying a pair of gloves in her left hand. Talk about multitasking before its time! In the same hand she is also carrying what looks to be a cake-box, as well as holding onto the hand of her second son, my brother, Robert. Suitcases, such as the one Mum is carrying,  were used to carry groceries at that time. So, even though Mum looks stylish and elegant enough to board the Orient Express for an exciting adventure across Europe, she is, in actuality, simply out for a day of shopping. I can see from the background that the location is The Corso at Manly, on the corner of Darley Road, outside St Matthew's Church. Not far from where the family lived at Narrabeen.

George Glover & Robert Wright - 1937

L-R: Robert Wright, George Glover - 1937

My maternal grandfather, George Henry Glover, playing with his grandson, my brother, Robert Harry Wright, on the swing in the front-yard of my parent's home at 10 Mactier Street, Narrabeen, in Sydney. The little house has long since been demolished to make way for an apartment building. I recently visited the site and was surprised at how small everything looked. In my memory, I remember our front-yard as being huge. In fact, it's just a standard building block. I guess I was a lot smaller back then and everything appeared big to me.

Robert Harry Wright - 1937

Robert Harry Wright - 1937

I don't know why this delightful picture of my brother, Robert, has been partially destroyed. It's such a beautiful picture. Robert was my parent's second child. He caused them some considerable worry and distress during his teenage/young-adult years and I am guessing that it was then that perhaps this image was damaged. We'll never know, for sure, what really happened to it. Dad once told me that Mum had cried herself to sleep many times over Robert. I only have very fleeting memories of Robert living at home. He was 12 when I was born in 1949 and he left home when I was only very little. He was conscripted into the Army to do his (at that time) compulsory National Service when he was 18 and I suspect he never returned home after that. Robert was only 45 when he died of a cerebral haemorrhage on 22 May 1982.

Gladys Ann Murrell & Robert Harry Wright - 1937

Gladys Ann Murrell & Robert Harry Wright - 1937

Aunty Glad (Gladys Ann Murrell nee Glover) holding my brother, Robert (Robert Harry Wright). They are in the front garden of my maternal grandparent's home at 8 Mactier Street, Narrabeen, in Sydney. My parents lived next door at No10.  Mactier Street runs East to West, with the eastern end terminating in the Pacific Ocean (literally) and the western end skirting Narrabeen Lake. No's 8 & 10 were near the eastern, ocean end. Aunty Glad lived not far away, also in Mactier Street, with Uncle Eric (Eric Murrell), near the western, lake end of the street. Though Uncle Eric was somewhat reclusive, Aunty Glad played a prominent part in the lives of all of us. We saw much of her and loved her dearly.