Something to Declare

A Memoir

By: James Gobbo

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Paperback | 31 October 2025 | Edition Number 1

At a Glance

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378 Pages

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23.39 x 15.29 x 1.98

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Sir James Gobbo reflects for the first time on his involvement with immigration reform and in the growth of multicultural policy in Australia.

Sir James Gobbo is an exemplar of Australia's multicultural society. Australian-born but spending his early childhood in Italy, he returned with his family to Australia at the age of seven. In time, he would become a Rhodes Scholar, successful barrister, Judge of the Supreme Court and Governor of Victoria.

In these engaging memoirs, Sir James reflects for the first time on his involvement with immigration reform and in the growth of multicultural policy as Founding Chairman of the Australian Council of Multicultural Affairs and Chair of the Australian Multicultural Foundation, and as President of Co.As.It., the largest Italian community organisation in Australia. Alongside these achievements, the book traces Sir James's extensive contributions to areas as diverse as artisanship training, the Australian honours system, hospital administration and philanthropy.

Shining through his account is Sir James's profound gratitude to the people who made his journey so rewarding and gave him the chance to succeed. His unswerving belief in Australia's capacity to go on providing newcomers with opportunities is a consistent theme of this timely and inspiring book.

Industry Reviews

"In his long and varied life Sir James Gobbo has gathered many memories and amusing experiences and encounters with a rich cross-section of Australian society and he shares many of them in this relaxed and entertaining memoir." --"Canberra Times"

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Biographies & True Stories Memoirs Politics & Government Central Government Central Government Policies Public Administration Law Laws of Specific Jurisdictions General Works of Private & Civil Law Legal System in General Civil Procedure, Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Biographies Historical, Political and Military Biographies

Acknowledgements	p. XIII
Origins and Early Days	p. 1
Five Schools	p. 13
World War II	p. 24
Melbourne University and Oxford	p. 42
Rowing at Oxford	p. 57
London Idyll and Marriage	p. 71
Starting up at the Bar	p. 79
Memorable Cases	p. 94
The Supreme Court	p. 111
The Italian Community	p. 123
Our Lords the Sick	p. 143
Immigration: Reform and Refugees	p. 164
A Multicultural Australia	p. 174
One Special Legacy	p. 202
Skills and the Palladio Foundation	p. 216
A Busy Retirement	p. 227
Government House	p. 233
Crises and Controversy	p. 264
Italy Revisited	p. 279
National Treasures	p. 287
A Venetian Love Affair	p. 303
Blessings and Reflections	p. 308
Notes	p. 321
Index	p. 335
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Something to Declare

A Memoir

At a Glance

Paperback

Sir James Gobbo reflects for the first time on his involvement with immigration reform and in the growth of multicultural policy in Australia.

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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