Bob Brown
Poetry of an iconic environmentalist, brought to life
Bob Brown is one of Australia’s most recognised and respected public figures—an environmentalist, author, and former politician whose advocacy has shaped both policy and public perception for more than four decades. Born in New South Wales in 1944, Bob trained as a doctor and worked across Australia and the UK before moving to Tasmania in the 1970s, where a life-changing rafting trip down the Franklin River ignited his passion for wilderness conservation.
He became a founding member of the Wilderness Society in 1976 and went on to lead the landmark campaign to save the Franklin River—an effort that helped secure its World Heritage status and galvanised a national environmental movement. Bob’s political career broke new ground from the Tasmanian House of Assembly to the Federal Senate. As the first openly gay member of the Australian Parliament and inaugural leader of the Australian Greens, he championed environmental protection, human rights, and social justice.
Outside the political spotlight, Bob is also a lifelong poet. His writings—spanning over 50 years—reveal a tender, introspective voice and offer a personal lens on the experiences that have shaped his remarkable life. Today, through musical collaborations and readings, Bob shares these poems in a new light, inviting audiences into a quieter, more intimate chapter of his story.
He is the founder of the Bob Brown Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to protecting wild places, and the author of several books, including Memo for a Saner World and Optimism.
