Despite driving rain and a certain football match on the night of Wednesday 26 May the audience who turned out to hear Greg de Moore at Hurstville City Library talk about his book Tom Wills: His Spectacular Rise and Tragic Fall were well rewarded.
Greg not only introduced us to a real life, but forgotten character from Australian history but impressed all with his sheer determination over ten years of research to bring the Tom Will's story to public attention. Beginning with the germ of an idea in Manhattan and travelling to outback Queensland for evidence, this was no ordinary account of a forgotten cricketing and Australian Rules hero who came to a tragic end. Instead we were treated to a fascinating story with psychological insights , ruminations on the potent mix of sport and alcohol and the nature of the Australian identity.
Testimony to the interest ignited in those who attended were the many and varied questions Greg answered at the end of the night.
It really is a great story. I found Greg to be an excellent speaker and the book is excellent.
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