Book shines torch on Games achievement

By Marc McGowan
FORMER longtime Gembrook resident Anne Marsden is unwinding from a hectic 2006 that heralded the publication of her husband’s muchanticipated book, Carrying The Torch.
Her husband, Marcus, was in charge of coordinating the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games Torch Relay at the youthful age of 25 and made a promise that one day he would recount the story in permanent form.
“Time went by and things got in the way, such as work and family,” Anne said.
“The manuscript was written in the mid90s and he was just about finished it when he was diagnosed with dementia.”
The disease had a huge impact on both of their lives – not to mention the progress of his potential book.
“At that stage, friends and colleagues of his decided it was too good of a yarn to let it sit in a drawer somewhere,” Anne said.
So she and others set about fulfilling Marcus’ pact and despite some testing times were able to launch the book exactly 50 years after the lighting of the 1956 Olympic cauldron on 22 November.
Ron Clarke, a former champion distance runner, launched the book at the MCG, where he had lit the cauldron 50 years earlier.
“It was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. I can’t describe how exciting it was to see the final product,” Anne said.
“To know we had done that job and fulfilled that pledge from all those years ago to write their amazing story was fantastic. By the time it came out, I was absolutely exhausted.”
In between visits to Marcus, whose dementia had progressed to the stage he had to be placed in a home, she was in contact with the book’s editor on most days and hundreds of 1956 torchbearers.
That was after an arduous search to find an editor and a publisher.
“A couple of friends approached publishers, but there was no interest. They were interested in the story itself, but did not think it was commercially viable,” Anne said.
“A friend who works closely with people in the theatre and publishing worlds suggested an editor that would be able to help in the process.”
That led her to Meredith Mickey and her team of design and layout artists, graphic designers and printers, who took the job on enthusiastically.
The other issue was the amount of money it was going to take to release the book.
Anne estimated that it ended up costing her $25,000, but had one quote of $50,000 from one publishing company.
“I didn’t have to pay anything until the job was done. I tried to get sponsorship and I got one very generous sponsor, who promised a certain amount of money and I carried the rest,” she said.
“Once the book was published, money started coming in with orders, but I have been carrying the costs mostly. I’m still hoping to break even.”
Anyone interested in purchasing the book can visit this website: www.users.bigpond.net.au/marwhi/ or contact Anne Marsden on 9482 7574.