Book launch: Fremantle to Freedom

A thrilling tale about the last surviving member of the Catalpa Six.

Join authors Peter Murphy and Fred Rea for the launch of Fremantle to Freedom - a thrilling tale told through the eyes of the last surviving member of the Catalpa Six, James McNally Wilson.

2026 sees the 150th anniversary of the daring rescue of six Fenian prisoners from Fremantle prison aboard the Catalpa. Chapter by chapter, Peter and Fred’s book intertwines fact and fiction while taking the reader on a journey rarely spoken or written about.

Join us for an afternoon celebrating the launch of Fremantle to Freedom, along with live music and poetry readings.

James McNally Wilson finally has his own story told.

The Authors

Peter Murphy was born in Dublin, Ireland in the 1950s and emigrated to Australia in 1970. Peter lectured for several years in Ecologically Sustainable and Cultural Tourism at South West College of TAFE, Bunbury WA , and worked several years as a Conservation and Heritage Officer with the National Trust. He wrote articles and essays for the National Trust (Australia) periodical, as well as poetry, short stories and articles for The Irish Scene magazine (Perth, WA).
Peter retired from working life in 2016 and now lives on a nature reserve in the jarrah forest in the South West of WA with his partner Sallie, and where he spends most of his time writing and educating visitors to be kind to Mother Nature.

Fred Rea arrived in Western Australia in 1972 from his native Cork City, Ireland, bringing with him a deep love of music, history and the printed word. Fred served his apprenticeship in the printing trade as a compositor, a craft that shaped his lifelong engagement with publishing and storytelling.
Soon after arriving in WA, Fred joined a local Irish-Australian folk band and recorded two albums. Still a keen musician and collector of songs, Fred has a particular passion for ballads connected to the Fenians and the famous Catalpa Rescue. This musical and historical legacy continues through his daughter, Fiona, a highly successful songwriter and performer.
In 1998, Fred founded The Irish Scene magazine, which he produced for 20 years, during which his interest in Irish Australian history deepened. This saw him work closely with Irish Australian historians, contributing to the research and publication of numerous books and periodicals.
Fred is Chairperson of the WA Irish Bride Ships Legacy Project and WA Irish Famine Commemoration in Subiaco, WA.
Now living in Perth’s northern suburbs, with his partner of 50 years, Lilly, Fred continues his dedicated research into Irish and Australian history.