Bob Brown

Early Years

1944–1972

  • 1944 Born a twin in Oberon, NSW.
  • 1950's – 60's Grew up in rural NSW, attended Trunkey Creek and Blacktown Boys High (School Captain).
  • 1968 Graduated in Medicine, University of Sydney.
  • 1968–1980 Worked as a doctor in Canberra, London, Perth, Launceston.

Tasmanian Parliament & Green vision

1983–1993

  • 1983–1993 Championed reforms: Freedom of Information, gay law reform, native forest protection, nuclear-free Tasmania.
  • 1989 Led five Greens in power-sharing accord with Labor: saved 25 schools, created 1000+ jobs,
  • 1990 Founded the Australian Bush Heritage Fund.

Senate & national leadership

1996–2012

  • 2005 Elected leader of the Australian Greens
  • 2010 Greens hold balance of power, historic agreement with Gillard Government
  • 2011 Pushed for Australia’s first price on carbon
  • 2012 Resigned from Senate, founded Bob Brown Foundation

Foundation and forests

2012–Present

  • 2012 Bob Brown Foundation begins: focused on saving Takayna / Tarkine and wild places.
  • 2020 Foundation launches citizen science and legal actions to protect forests from native logging.
  • 2023 Led frontline campaigns to stop logging in Takayna, Wielangta, and Swift Parrot habitat.
  • 2024–2025 Bob continues to photograph, write, and stand with communities across lutruwita / Tasmania.

Awards and recognition

1990

Goldman Environmental Prize

1996

BBC World’s Most Inspiring Politician

2009

Australian Peace Prize

2010

Humanist of the Year

Early years

2 First day at school at Trunkey Creek. Bob on right.
  • Photo: First day at school at Trunkey Creek (Bob on right). 1950

1944–1972

  • 1944 Born a twin in Oberon, NSW.
  • 1950's – 60's Grew up in rural NSW, attended Trunkey Creek and Blacktown Boys High (School Captain).
  • 1968 Graduated in Medicine, University of Sydney.
  • 1968–1980 Worked as a doctor in Canberra, London, Perth, Launceston.

1972–1984

  • 1972 Moved to Tasmania and became involved in conservation
  • 1979–1984 Director, The Wilderness Society
  • 1982–83 Led the Franklin River blockade: 1500 arrested; Bob spent 19 days in Risdon Prison
  • 1983 On release, elected first Green MP in Tasmania’s Parliament

Activist awakening

Bob 1970s

Tasmanian Parliament & Green vision

1983–1993

  • 1983–1993 Championed reforms: Freedom of Information, gay law reform, native forest protection, nuclear-free Tasmania.
  • 1989 Led five Greens in power-sharing accord with Labor: saved 25 schools, created 1000+ jobs,
  • 1990 Founded the Australian Bush Heritage Fund.
  • 1992 Australian Greens formed.

Senate & national leadership

Bob senatewebp

1996–2012

  • 2005 Elected leader of the Australian Greens
  • 2010 Greens hold balance of power, historic agreement with Gillard Government
  • 2011 Pushed for Australia’s first price on carbon
  • 2012 Resigned from Senate, founded Bob Brown Foundation

Foundation and forests

Bob florentine

2012–Present

  • 2012 Bob Brown Foundation begins: focused on saving Takayna / Tarkine and wild places.
  • 2020 Foundation launches citizen science and legal actions to protect forests from native logging.
  • 2023 Led frontline campaigns to stop logging in Takayna, Wielangta, and Swift Parrot habitat.
  • 2024–2025 Bob continues to photograph, write, and stand with communities across lutruwita / Tasmania.

Awards and recognition

Bob tarkine4

1990

Goldman Environmental Prize

1996

BBC World’s Most Inspiring Politician

2009

Australian Peace Prize

2010

Humanist of the Year

Activist awakening

1972–1984

  • 1972 Moved to Tasmania and became involved in conservation
  • 1979–1984 Director, The Wilderness Society
  • 1982–83 Led the Franklin River blockade: 1500 arrested; Bob spent 19 days in Risdon Prison
  • 1983 On release, elected first Green MP in Tasmania’s Parliament