McPhee Gribble quickly became known for championing Australian writers. It published early works by Helen Garner and Tim Winton, and in 1984 released the first book by an Aboriginal woman, Elsie Labumore, giving Indigenous voices a platform.

The company operated for 14 years, surviving industry scepticism that a women‑run press could only succeed with niche titles like romance or sport. Its success proved that Australian stories could thrive without relying on British models.

In 1989 Penguin bought McPhee Gribble. After the sale, Hilary McPhee headed the Picador imprint at Pan Macmillan Australia, where she continued to publish authors such as Helen Garner and Tim Winton. Her influence extended beyond the original firm.

Beyond publishing, McPhee broke further ground by becoming the first woman chair of the Australia Council for the Arts in 1994. Her career shows how a bold, feminist venture reshaped a male‑dominated industry, encouraged diversity, and set a lasting example for future publishers.