Sports

From Olympic Coach & Glory to Greater Things

I told him he would never run out of inspirational material for his books and speeches, as the Commonwealth Games were staged every two years, the Olympics every four and the World Championships annually.

In addition with Lawrie being Lawrie, and always popular with the media, he was able to access their TV archival footage of events for replaying as highlights during his corporate addresses. He also added inspirational music as background to these tapes to reflect the emotionally charged atmosphere of major events, and the exhilaration we feel when we are witness to great and glorious performances.

Meanwhile back at the publisher’s, “Sink or Swim” was ready for distribution to leading book stores and when the “New Idea” edition featuring a six page article and beautiful photos went on sale around the country it provided valuable publicity. At the same time I had  “Lawrence of Australia” gold medal motivational speaking brochures hitting the desks of corporate Australia.

A week later, a one hour edition of “The World around Us” a documentary on Lawrie’s career titled “ The Maker of Heroes” was aired nationally in prime time on the 7 network. It was a superb launching pad for Lawrie’s new career and provided even more free publicity for “Sink or Swim.”

“The World around Us” filming had taken place at the Lawrence home at Eight Mile Plains and  was then expanded to include a short segment at the famous Toobruk swimming baths in Townsville with another from his father’s home on Magnetic Island.  The television shoot at Eight Mile Plains featured a large red and white striped marquee erected in the backyard of the Lawrence home.

Many of Australia’s greatest swimming names including former pupils of Lawrie’s attended and were interviewed for the telecast. Other guests included relatives and long time friends of the Lawrence family.

It was a happy gathering and fairly typical of the backyard barbecue scene familiar to suburban Australia.The only difference being, that this barbecue was being filmed for a television program. At one stage Lawrie bought out an old guitar and started to sing to the kids. They loved it and soon everybody joined in. He was a  member of a band as teenager and the other two members of that teenage trio were present to relive and enjoy old times.

Once “ The Maker of Heroes” program had hit the airwaves the book launch followed. It was a media event staged in the Lawrence’s pool. The main cast included Lawrie, the former 400 /  800 / and 1500 metre world record holder Tracey Wickham with her baby daughter Hannah, plus a host of adoring mothers with their babies in the pool. The footage hit all the main evening news programs.

Following the launch Lawrie and I travelled interstate for talk back radio and television interviews I had arranged. In these Lawrie highlighted important water safety issues and promoted the book as a valuable guide for young parents with young children.

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