2026 Festival
Speaker Profile
Troy Bramston
Troy Bramston is a senior journalist with The Australian, writing on politics, policy and popular culture. He is an award-winning and bestselling author or editor of 12 books, including Gough Whitlam: The Vista of the New, Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny, Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics, and Paul Keating: The Big Picture Leader. Troy is a member of the Library Council of the State Library of NSW and the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001.
The Art Of The Bio: Sparking appetites for political gravitas
Friday April 24
The Ballroom, The Continental
3.00pm
/
60 mins
Troy Bramston, Patrick Mullins and Amy Remeikis with Brendan Donohoe
Within the biography genre, stories of political leaders are often the most fascinating. Our three authors reveal why.
Spit It Out: How to write a great speech
Saturday April 25
Portsea Surf Life Saving Club
2.30pm
/
60 mins
Troy Bramston, Lucinda Holdforth and Don Watson with Libbi Gorr
Whether it’s a wedding, a funeral, a conference or a key-note, writing and delivering speeches is no easy task. Our three panel members - each speechwriters to Australian politics leaders - discuss how to take audiences on a journey they’ll never forget.
To Mark Carney, You Had Me At Hello: What does good leadership look like?
Sunday April 26
The Ballroom, The Continental
9.00am
/
60 mins
Troy Bramston, Annabel Crabb and Paul Strangio with Natasha Mitchell
This session is supported by Thomson Geer