I Gave a Gonski: Selected Speeches

by David Gonski

David Gonski, businessman, philanthropist and patron of the arts, is one of Australia's most successful people, whose name has passed into the language as the author of the Gonski report into education funding.

In this collection of mostly unpublished speeches, he writes for the first time about the issues he feels passionately about - everything from the importance of philanthropy to why we need more women on boards, from why better education funding is of such critical importance to our nation to what makes a good chairman or company director.

He also provides a glimpse into the man behind the name, as he recounts the story of his parents' arrival in Australia from South Africa in the context of a deeply felt piece on whether Australia really is the land of the fair go, as his parents dreamed it would be.

Sure to stimulate some lively conversations, this is a rigorous, thoughtful and accessible examination of some of the important issues in Australian society.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

171 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2015

Reviews

[Sally Tsang · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting peek, via collected speeches, into the life and thoughts of one of Australia’s business and public figures, most known by his review of the education funding system. Aspects that I found most interesting were his family background, views on promoting philanthropy and also his view that leaders should strive to broaden their participation in society outside their specific narrow fields. Worth a read (and is not a difficult read).

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I Gave a Gonski" isn't a whole book about the Gonski review into education funding. Instead it is a collection of David Gonski's speeches on topics ranging from gender diversity on boards, the role of company directors, philanthropy, and a single speech following up his education funding review and the political and media response. In these speeches, Gonski appears to be a humane, thoughtful and highly intelligent man, who cares greatly about the social impact of doing business. He doesn't offer much in the way of literary excitement - there is a reticence in his scripts and very few jokes, moments of anger, or even anecdotes. Despite this, the speeches are worth reading for an insight into how influential organisations operate. Each section is short and written clearly so that those with no business experience (I mean me) can easily understand them. I felt knowledgeable after reading, and just a little bit worthy. Perhaps not a book to take to bed, but good for public transport. I did hear Gonski on the radio, which is what prompted me to buy the book, and I found him a highly engaging interviewee. Perhaps search for the interview on Radio National's website if it's the education commentary you are after.

[Niki Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having only read things his name was attached to rather than in his own words I loved this insight into one of Australia's most successful businessmen and philanthropists and more progressive thinkers. We need more opinions about placing so much importance in education to be published and broadcast and using speeches Gonski has made on a variety of topics was a great and easy way of doing that. Interesting perspectives in this book, I particularly enjoyed reading his speeches about intelligent people moving around and working in private, public and not for profit sectors during their lifetime.