Bob Carr in conversation

We are delighted - honoured in fact - to open our 2026 series of conversations with former journalist and State Premier, Bob Carr, speaking about his new memoir, Bring Back Yesterday. In October 2023 Bob’s wife of more than fifty years, Helena, suddenly died . In this memoir he records his attempt to deal with his grief, switching between the present moment - pacing the night-time streets of Sydney - and reflections on his shared past with Helena, including ruminations on travel, conversations and cultural curiosity. Bob Carr was the longest serving Premier of NSW. A committed conservationist, he used his term in power to create literally hundreds of National Parks, preserving vast areas of wilderness. He later held the position of Foreign Minister under Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd. He is the author of four books, including The Diary of a Foreign Minister.