Troy Bramston | Verity Firth

Join acclaimed political biographer Troy Bramston in conversation with UNSW’s Verity Firth and delve into his latest book Gough Whitlam: The Vista of the New and the insightful revelations, which have emerged from Bramston’s analysis, behind the man and his policies. 

In its three years in power, the Whitlam government passed 508 bills which lay the foundations for modern Australia. From abolishing the White Australia Policy and introducing the Racial Discrimination Act, to addressing domestic violence and equal pay for women, transforming healthcare and education, and beginning the reconciliation of land rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. But Gough Whitlam was more than his term as Prime Minister.

Drawing from thousands of pages of archives and over one hundred interviews with insiders, including Whitlam himself, Bramston’s book is the only full-life biography published since Whitlam’s death. From new insights into Whitlam’s upbringing, to his rise through the Labor party and life after politics, the evening will explore the legacy of a man who reshaped Australia through policy and personality.

LIVE EVENT & VENUE INFORMATION

Tyree Room is located inside the John Niland Scientia Building at UNSW Sydney's Kensington campus (G19). Please note this is a live event only, and will not be available via livestream.   

TICKETS

ACCESS

Wheelchair Access
The closest accessible drop off point to Tyree Room is via Gate 11, Botany Street. More information on getting there can be found via our interactive accessibility map available here.

Assisted Listening
Tyree Room has hearing assistive technology available. Patrons wishing to utilise this service must collect a Roger™ inductive neck loop receiver from the venue staff, and this system can be used with a hearing aid or cochlear implant with a T-coil, or with headphones.

Contact
To book and discuss access services, please call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485 or email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT & PARKING

Tyree Room (John Niland Scientia Building) is easily accessible via public transport. The closest light rail stop is the UNSW High Street (L2 line) and the closest bus stop is UNSW Gate 14, Barker Street (303). For more information please call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.

Free parking is also available in the Botany St Car Park (Gate 11) from 5.30pm. For access to free parking, event patrons must park in the UNSW Permit Holder bays, available on all levels. The Botany St Car Park (Gate 11) parking station is located here.

Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and ‘pay by plate meters’ in all other UNSW car parks. The Botany St Car Park (Gate 11) parking station is the closest to the venue, and is located here. For more information head here. 

PROGRESS FOR ALL

In 2025, Australia faces multifaceted challenges including critical skills shortages, productivity challenges, income and intergenerational inequality, health and education inequities, the cost of living and housing affordability. Recent years have accelerated the increasing wealth gap across the globe.

UNSW’s ultimate objective of Progress for All is born of our founding purpose to advance the economic and social prosperity of NSW and Australia. We carry that objective into this Strategy and recognise that one of the most direct ways that a university can advance prosperity is through the teaching and learning activities we provide alongside our research and innovation. We are unconditionally committed to increasing higher education access and success for groups that are traditionally underrepresented at university.

We will continue to develop relationships with industry, the not-for-profit sector, governments and the broader community that deepen our understanding and enable evidence-based, robust and viable solutions to the current economic and social challenges our society faces. We reaffirm our role as a university for the whole of NSW, just as we embrace the unique challenges and opportunities of being a world-leading university in a global operating environment.

You can read more about our objectives in our UNSW Strategy: Progress for All.

CONTACT

For all enquiries, please email centreforideas@unsw.edu.au or call the Centre for Ideas on 02 9065 0485.

The Centre for Ideas is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 02 9065 0485. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9065 0485. For more information on all other relay calls visit here.