Edited by Anna Chang and Alice Grundy
A Time for Bravery
2026, Australia Institute Press
We are living at a critical point in history with the stubborn problems of rising inequality, rising fossil fuel production, and declining faith in democracy. This is a time for individuals, organisations, communities and our elected representatives to find the bravery we need to not just acknowledge, but address, the challenges we face.
There is bravery out there right now, in Australia and around the world. And Australian history is full of acts of individual and collective bravery ranging from the campaign to end apartheid in South Africa to the campaign for equal rights for same sex couples: from the green bans in Sydney's Rocks to South Australia’s commitment to 100 per cent renewable energy. We have changed ourselves and the world before; if we are brave, we can do so again.
This book brings together advocates, politicians, campaigners, medical doctors, academics and a firefighter each with their answer to the question: what does bravery look like in Australia and how might it reshape our future for the better.
Contributors: Yanis Varoufakis, Hon Ralph Regenvanu, Mike Rann AC, Senator Fatima Payman, Dr Sophie Scamps MP, John Hewson AM, Michele O’Neil, Sisonke Msimang, Professor Georgina Long AO, Ben Quilty, Rodney Croome AM, Tim Costello AO, Dr Amy Coopes, Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, Josh Bornstein, Fr Frank Brennan AO, Leanne Minshull, Polly Hemming, Bill Browne, Stephen Long, Greg Jericho, Eloise Carr, Amy Remeikis, Richard Denniss, Naomi Hodgson, Jim Casey, Barrie Cassidy, Dr Amy Thunig-McGregor, Craig Foster AM
Edited by Anna Chang and Alice Grundy.
About the Editors
Anna Chang is the Chief of Staff at the Australia Institute. Anna has over 15 years experience as a campaign and communications professional, having worked primarily in environmental advocacy and federal politics prior to joining the Australia Institute. In between her environmental and political work, Anna also spent time working in creative agencies, managing clients including Lion Nathan, Evans & Tate, and McWilliams wineries; 2010/11 Ashes Series Adelaide Test, 2009/10 and 2010/11 domestic cricket seasons for the SA Cricket Association.
Dr Alice Grundy is an editor, researcher and teacher, with over 15 years’ experience working in book publishing, and a Visiting Fellow at ANU. She has worked for the public service and has taught at the University of Technology Sydney, the University of Melbourne and Australian National University. She completed a PhD on editing and publishing history at ANU, the first half of which became Editing Fiction: Three case studies from Post-war Australia, published by Cambridge University Press.
