ANU/Canberra Times meet the author event with Anna Bligh in conversation with The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP

Anna Bligh knows something about hard knocks and high walls. She was raised by a single mother in the working class Gold Coast, a young girl with a soon-to-be-estranged dad who struggled with alcoholism. She spent over 17 years in the rough and tumble of the Queensland Parliament (seven of them as either Deputy Premier or Premier). In 2011, she led Queensland through the devastation of Australia's largest natural disasters. Her Party then lost the 2012 State election and Anna stepped down to start a new life, only to find herself diagnosed with cancer.

Writing with her trademark honesty, warmth and humour about the challenges that public and private life have thrown her, Anna reflects candidly - as a wife, mother, daughter, friend and political leader - on the lessons of leadership, resilience, community and family.

Anna Bligh became Deputy Premier of Queensland in 2005 and Premier in 2007. In March 2009 Anna made history, becoming the first woman to lead a party to victory in a State election in Australia. After losing the election in 2012, she stepped down and is now the CEO of the NSW YWCA.

Anna Bligh was joined in conversation by The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Federal Member for Sydney, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Australian Parliament.