A triple book launch by the one author is not something you see every day. I must be mad to try it!
It’s quite easy to explain why very soon multi-awarded Australian Paralympic Coach of the Year and International Paralympic Committee Hall of Famer Kevin McIntosh is re-launching my biography of my wife Marlene’s nephew, eight-time Paralympian champion Kieran Modra.
Kieran was destined never to compete without some drama or adversity, which he overcame to consistently win medals for Australia, so it was a story which I felt needed to be written.
Kieran Modra: The Way I See It proved popular until Kieran was tragically killed by an errant driver when cycling to our place. When the publishers decided to cease publishing the book, I felt it was too inspirational a story to just disappear.
After many years and very aware of her hurt, I asked Kieran’s widow Kerry if I could write a final chapter, update, and re-release Kieran’s story. Kerry was happy to see the continuation of her husband’s inspirational narrative and was gracious in her praise of what I’ve added.
It’s also easier to explain why great friend Ian Hauser is very soon re-launching another biography I wrote about two very influential people – Rolph and Margaret Mayer. This couple were the leaders of the Lutheran Teachers College and had a significant effect on many lives including ours, when Ian and I arrived in Adelaide to attend uni. Many have modelled (or tried to) the Mayers’ emphasis on relationship, trust, democracy, consensus, and the creation of esprit-de corps.
The publishers of A Singular and Outrageous Blessing: The Story of Rolph and Margaret Mayer folded earlier this year. It is another story which I felt must not disappear, so I’ve worked with Rolph and Marg’s daughter Anne to improve and re-release their book with an added final chapter. Ninety people who shared respect and love for the Mayers contributed to this book.
It’s a little more difficult to explain why, after successfully publishing biographies, I felt the challenge to write fiction.
After all I had plenty of material for an autobiography.
For starters, I was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands, very close to France and occupied by the Germans in World War 2. Soon after the war finished, Mum and Dad were forerunners in the development of tourism on the idyllic island of Herm, just off the coast of Guernsey.
My dad was a sensitive, introspective artist and writer and World War 2 veteran with wonderful stories. My mum was always a farmer, vivacious, outgoing, pretty, and determined to make up the lost ground of a repressed childhood.
The differences between my parents were exacerbated when we arrived in Australia as ‘Ten-pound Poms’ and the family was suddenly presented with opportunity and means to a better life.
Much of my story is about tracing my coming to terms with parents who were, in their day, unconventional in their career choices.
I had plenty enough for another biography.
Two years ago I discovered that I had a brand new first cousin.
She had been born to my aunty and uncle and adopted out because my aunty was not of legal age, and to avoid any family shame.
And nobody knew! Not my parents. Nor my cousins. Nobody… except my aunty and uncle! A dark secret.
Now this cousin, adopted into a loving family, decided she wanted to find her birth parents and spent most of her life searching.
Having given up, and now in her late fifties, she found us by a most remarkable stroke of luck.
Material enough for two projects. Two books.
But …
I wanted to be more creative and intertwine these narratives.
And so Painting Martha morphed into a novel.
Although most of my book is based on actual life stories and dates, ages, events, locations and supporting documents from family members, and as a result of much research, the novel is nonetheless a combination of these and many other stories.
It was also a chance to explore in my memory and imagination some naturally beautiful locales – Guernsey, Herm, Cumbria and Wiltshire (UK), the Isle of Man and many parts of wonderful Australia.
And I wanted to play with fate. What might have happened if the world had wobbled, and circumstances had changed?
Perhaps it is an exploration of my faith? Or a fascination with the ongoing ‘nature versus nurture’ puzzle? I am a believer with many questions and have always been intrigued by the effects of our parents on our lives, both genetically and socially.
Possibly I am trying to free some characters in my life story from any potential embarrassment, or I wanted to gently massage the past? Maybe it was a way for me to heal? Cathartic?
I wrote the book over a number of years and it is dedicated to my extraordinary parents, who took us as children on an adventurous journey, and it deals with so many experiences which I found irresistibly intriguing.
All 3 books are being launched (and re-launched) on Sunday afternoon, September 22nd (2-4pm) at the Langmeil Lutheran Church, 7 Maria Street, Tanunda, with afternoon tea provided.
Marley is cooking up a storm!
And after this event the celebrations are likely to continue back at our place with a tipple or two. Please join us.
When I retired, I didn’t expect this love of writing. Fortunately, I’ve been blessed with wonderful support from so many people who have contributed to these projects – and especially Marley, Ian, Sonia and Erich ‘Hoss’ Holzknecht, and Jan Wallent. I hope you enjoy reading all three books … and come to our launch.
But please RSVP just in case we don’t have enough biscuits and cakes!
To purchase copies of Andy’s books see below:
All images courtesy of Andy Thurlow.
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About
Born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands, my parents migrated to this wonderful country when I was 7. As teachers, my wife and I ‘worked’ in some pretty SA and Queensland tourist locations and ended up in the Barossa Valley, where I enjoy gardening, socialising, reading, writing, sport, travel, handyman projects and wine. Since retiring I’ve written 3 published biographies about Kieran Modra, Rolph and Marg Mayer and Margaret Ames. I started a Valley social cycling and coffee-ing club called the ‘Sprocket Rockets’ https://www.facebook.com/cyclingfunbarossa/ After some success at hockey, volleyball, tennis, golf, Church picnic sprints and the ‘Henley on Todd’ regatta, I’ve settled down to walking, cycling, Fantasy Football and watching sport, particularly AFL and cricket. A Queenslander described me as an ‘Ex-Pommie, ex-Victorian who barracks for Port Adelaide’ so it can only be up from there!
not one book Andy, but three! fantastic!
I met Rolph Mayer when I did many LTC subjects during holiday seminars – we used to talk about cricket. I remember him marveling about Sachin Tendulkar. We talked cricket so much, that at my LTC graduation, I recall giving him one of those mini autograph bats with a small engraving “LTC best & fairest” with the years of my study – my Mother took a photo of that moment – sadly, I have not seen that photo for decades, could be in a box back in Qld somewhere …
St Peters Lutheran College, Indooroopilly is a special place for me. I met JTH there in the early 90’s. My parents were boarders there in the 1950’s, my Dad’s two sisters also attended “SPLC”, as did several of my cousins. I taught there for 17 years. 1991-2006, then again in 2022.
The St Peters main oval is named after Rolph’s brother, Reinhard. I have Reiny’s book “Mayer Memoirs – from Milking Stool to Bishop’s Chair” – written in 2015.
Wonderful stuff.
Congratulations Andy. We’re all looking forward to your launch which will be a cracking afternoon.