Gough Whitlam | In Conversation with Troy Bramston
About
A commanding biography of one of Australia's greatest and most visionary prime minsters by an acclaimed political journalist and author.There has been no one like Gough Whitlam in public life - a charismatic, inspirational and visionary leader who ushered in a reform revolution to modernise Australia, which endures to this day. But Whitlam's immense self-belief, relentless determination, misjudgements and blunders were truly Shakespearean and help to explain his downfall.
Drawing on thousands of pages of newly discovered archives and interviews with more than one hundred people, Troy Bramston, Australia's leading political biographer, gives the most comprehensively researched account of Whitlam's life and career ever published. It is an epic story of triumph and tragedy, filled with revelations that will surprise and shock, and offers new insights into Whitlam's family and upbringing; wartime service and legal career; ascendancy through Labor ranks; prime ministership; and life after politics.
This is the definitive biography of Australia's twenty-first prime minister, and the first since his death in 2014, providing an unvarnished analysis of his achievements and failures, how he governed, and the dramatic story of his dismissal on Remembrance Day, 1975. Fifty years later, it could not be timelier.
Troy Bramston is a senior writer with The Australian newspaper, reporting on politics, policy and popular culture. He is an award-winning and best-selling author or editor of twelve books, including Gough Whitlam: The Vista of the New (2025), Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny (2022), Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics (2019) and Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader (2016). He was co-winner of an Australian Book Industry Award (2016), finalist for the Walkley Book Award (2017), shortlisted for the National Biography Award (2018) and shortlisted for the Australian Political Book of the Year Award (2022). Troy is a member of the Library Council of the State Library of NSW and the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council. He was a judge of the Prime Minister's Literary Awards in 2021 and 2022. Troy was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001 for his contribution as a member of the NSW Centenary of Federation Committee. He lives in Sydney with wife, Nicky, and children, Madison and Angus.
In converssation with Troy is Ryk Goddard. Ryk is one of ABC's most experienced radio presenters. On Breakfast for ABC Hobart since 2010 he has also presented for ABC Classic FM, ABC Sydney and Melbourne. In his spare time, Ryk is a highly sought-after MC and award-winning presentation skills coach. Ryk is a former Artistic Director, actor and stand-up comedian and currently is making music solo and with the band.
Join Troy and Ryk at the Afterword Cafe.
Date
Thursday 19 March 2026 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (UTC+11)Location
Fullers Bookshop
131 Collins Street, Hobart TAS 7000
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Gough Whitlam | In Conversation with Troy Bramston
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