Kim Tyrer (1995)
Read about Kim's journey, from boarding at Penrhos to pursuing an arts degree and achieving multiple awards - as well as taking over the family business in a male-dominated wine industry! Discover how Kim's role as winemaker and CEO of Galafrey wines led her to be selected in the TOP 50 Young Gun Winemakers 2018-2023 and as a finalist in the TOP 4 CEO for Women in Wine.
Kim's Penrhos Journey
Kim Tyrer graduated in the Class of 1995, after boarding for five years at Penrhos. “It was kinda like being on camp 24/7 for school,” Kim says.
Kim believes that there were so many more opportunities as a Penrhos boarder than what was available for her at home!
She particularly loved having access to a diving board and a 50m swimming pool, which she lived at over the summer. Kim then went on to represent Penrhos in diving and was the team captain in her final year!
It was clear that Kim had a love for sports, participating in two disciplines during every school term. You could catch her playing tennis, netball, softball, gymnastics, diving and athletics, and loving it! Kim doesn’t think that she could have done all that today, but living at school gave her an advantage back then.
“The friends I made were for life. I loved my time at Penrhos, and it shaped who I am today.”
Kim Tyrer in Year 12 (left in article image) and post-Penrhos with her prize-winning artwork
At Penrhos, Kim initially pursued both Art and Science, but later chose to focus exclusively on Art in her final years.
She participated in two final exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Western Australia and won the Art Excellence Award. These achievements boosted her confidence to pursue art full time in her tertiary education.
Kim's Paths post-penrhos
Kim left Penrhos in 1995 to study a Bachelor of Arts for three years at Edith Cowan University (ECU). Following her graduation from ECU, she spent the next seven years as a professional visual artist and was a valuable member of a multitude of boards, like Country Arts WA! Kim was invited to exhibit her pieces in many exhibitions and won awards for her artwork.
This experience led Kim to be selected to be part of different ‘Australia Arts, Regional Arts’ panels. At that time, these panels were working with the Federal Minister for Arts.
Kim with the Galafrey Wines "Panache" Sparkling Pinor Noir Chardonnay (2009)
During Kim’s arts career, she worked at many fine wine liquor stores, like Steve’s Nedland Hotel, and studied various certificates in wine appreciation. As Kim’s parents owned Galafrey Wines, she was born and bred into the industry.
Sadly, in 2003 Kim’s father was diagnosed with cancer and passed away three months later. So, at the age of 25, she changed careers and began filling in the shoes of her father at Galafrey Wines. It was a steep learning curve.
In 2011, Kim took over as winemaker and CEO. Since then, she has been selected in the TOP 50 Young Gun Winemakers 2018-2023 and as a finalist in the TOP 4 CEO for Women in Wine!
"I find winemaking as creative as arts and love sharing my skills in regional development, as I have been on many wine industry boards!"
Kim as 2018 ACCI Business Person of the Year and Kim in the TOP 50 Young Gun Winemakers
Kim on 'Courage'
Kim says that Penrhos taught and supported her to become the best version of herself. The confidence instilled in her as a female within an all-girl school was invaluable and the independence that boarding taught Kim was key to becoming a CEO!
Kim works in a male dominated industry and has no problem voicing her opinion and gaining respect in a room, which comes from the ability to be confident in her skills and knowledge.
“Sometimes you just need to start somewhere, and the journey will take you where you need to go. Always have goals, invest in yourself and your skills. Know your weaknesses but stride towards your strengths.”
