AWW22 The Brilliant Boy: Doc Evatt and the Great Australian Dissent - Gideon Haigh

Chaired by Anthony Durkin


1937. Seven-year-old Maxie falls into a rain-filled trench and
drowns. From this tragedy emerges one of the High Court’s most
engrossing cases and a landmark decision on the impact and import
of inner suffering. The judge was ‘Doc’ Evatt – quick-witted,
humane, brusque but flawed, a man who could brilliantly seize the
moment but, like the dead brilliant Maxie, arguably fell short of
his potential. A story of politics, pride, love, and an Australia
growing into its skin, The Brilliant Boy is a dexterously handled
slice of history by one of our finest – Gideon Haigh.