John Busst with Iain McCalman
Thursday 11 July 2024, 6pm - 7.15pm
Online & Allan Scott Auditorium, Hawke Building,
UniSA City West Campus, 55 North Terrace Adelaide
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11 July 2024
Discover the incredible journey of John Büsst, a Melbourne bohemian artist who became one of Australia’s most influential conservationists. Highly respected and award-winning Emeritus Professor of History and the Humanities, Iain McCalman will be in conversation with UniSA’s Standing Acting Vice Chancellor, Distinguished Professor Marnie Hughes-Warrington AO. They will discuss the remarkable life of John Büsst, the enigmatic figure known to his adversaries as ‘The Bingil Bay Bastard’.
In the 1960s and early 70s Büsst led campaigns to protect two of Australia’s most important and endangered environments – saving lowland rainforests from destruction and the Great Barrier Reef from reckless resource mining for oil, gas, cement and fertiliser. A plan Büsst likened to ‘bulldozing the Taj Mahal to make road gravel’. Along the way Büsst obtained the active support of five current or future prime ministers – Holt, Whitlam, Gorton, Hawke and Fraser.
Iain McCalman's inspiring biography is a timely reminder that the passionate commitment of ordinary citizens is crucial to achieving truly transformative environmental change.
Don't miss this chance to hear about the life and legacy of John Büsst. Be inspired by the story of one man’s fight to preserve Australia’s natural heritage and the enduring importance of grassroots activism.
Imprints Booksellers will be selling copies of Iain's book, John Büsst, in the Auditorium foyer on the night of the event.
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future. The Hawke Centre reserves the right to change their program at any time without notice.