Hard Jacka - The Story of a Gallipoli Legend

Coming Events

Professor Geoffrey Blainey in conversation with Michael Lawriwsky

In timely reminder of the extraordinary feats of our war heroes and armed service people before Anzac Day, we are proud to host an evening with Michael Lawriwsky, author of Return of the Gallipoli Legend - Jacka VC.

Lawriwsky’s latest book completes the extraordinary two-part story of war hero Albert Jacka VC – a soldier, legend and friend. In this meticulously researched account of a hero and his comrades-in-arms, Michael Lawriwsky explores the human cost of war and vividly describes the baptism of fire Australia’s young soldiers faced when they were called upon to sacrifice all for King and Country on the battlegrounds of Gallipoli, the Somme, Bullecourt and Polygon Wood.

Michael Lawriwsky will be joined in conversation with the acclaimed historian Professor Geoffrey Blainey.

Date: Thursday 14 April, 2011
Time: 6:30 PM
Venue: Dymocks Melbourne 234 Collins Street, Melbourne
Cost: FREE but hurry, as bookings are essential!
Bookings/ Enquiries: Phone 03 9660 8500 or Email: levents@dymocks.com.au

Past Events

3 September 2010
Albert Jacka VC - Join Michael Lawriwsky as he discusses Albert Jacka's brave actions.
Shrine of Remembrance
Bookings essential (03) 9661 8100 or programs@shrine.org.au

8pm, Thursday, 27 May, 2010
Michael Lawriwsky spoke on ''Hard Jacka' - the exploits of Albert Jacka VC at the Victorian Branch of the Military History Society of Australia
Oakleigh-Carnegie RSL
95-97 Drummond Street,
Oakleigh

Tuesday 11 May, 2010
Probus Club of North Balwyn
Michael Lawriwsky addressed 70 members of the Probus Club of North Balwyn on 'Hard Jacka'

Sunday 25 April 2010
At Malvern Library
Anzac Day Tribute - 'Hard Jacka'

Tuesday, 20 April, 2010
Melton Library
‘Gallipoli Legends’

Monday, 19 April, 2010
Caroline Springs Library
‘Hard Jacka’

1.00 pm, Friday, 24th April, 2009
Altona Library, 123 Queen St., Altona

Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing for ‘Hard Jacka’ followed.

6.30 pm, Thursday, 23rd April, 2009
Box Hill Library, 1040 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill

Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing for ‘Hard Jacka’ followed.

7 pm, Wednesday, 22th April, 2009
Malvern Library, 1255 High St., Malvern

Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing for ‘Hard Jacka’ followed.

10.30 am, Tuesday, 31st March, 2009
Defence Force School of Signals
Simpson Barracks, Macleod

12.30 pm, Thursday, 12th February, 2009
M.C.C. War Veterans Group, in the ‘Long Room’ at the MCG

Michael Lawriwsky addressed 140 members of the M.C.C. War Veterans Group at a luncheon in the ‘Long Room’ at the Melbourne Cricket Ground

5.45 pm, Tuesday, 11th November, 2008
Royal Historical Society of Victoria

239 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne
To commemorate Remembrance Day and the 90th Anniversary of the end of World War 1, Victorians heard the remarkable story of grit, determination and devastation, ‘Hard Jacka – the story of a Gallipoli legend’.

8.30 pm, Friday, 7th November, 2008
Daylesford and District Historical Society

Pioneer Room, Daylesford Museum

7.30 pm, Thursday, 30th October, 2008
Bendigo Region Genealogical Society

Kangaroo Flat Uniting Church, corner Camp St and Church St.
Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing for ‘Hard Jacka’ followed.

11.15 am, Saturday, 11th October, 2008
Colac & District Family History Group “Family History Seminar”

St Andrew’s Hall (corner Pollack & Hesse Streets), Colac
Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing for ‘Hard Jacka’ followed.

4.30 pm, Saturday, 6th September, 2008
Camperdowne & District Historical Society

Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’, followed by a book signing.

6.30 pm for 7.00 pm, Friday 25 July, 2008
Learmonth and District Historical Society Annual Dinner Meeting

Learmonth Bowling Club. Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing for ‘Hard Jacka’ followed.

8.00 pm, Wednesday 16 July, 2008
Sunbury Family Historical Society

Sunbury Senior Citizens Rooms, 8 O’Shannassy St, Sunbury. Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing followed.

6.00 pm, Saturday 12 July, 2008
Mildura and District Genealogical Society Celebration Dinner

Sunraysia Resort, 300 Tenth St., Mildura. Dr. Michael Lawriwsky was a guest speaker at the Celebration Dinner. A book signing followed.

2.00 pm, Saturday 12 July, 2008
Mildura and District Genealogical Society

Carnegie Centre, 74 Deakin Avenue, Mildura. Dr. Michael Lawriwsky spoke on ‘Albert Jacka – Gallipoli Legend’ at the 30th Birthday Celebration of the Society. A book signing for ‘Hard Jacka’ followed.

2.30 pm, Sunday 22 June, 2008
Ararat Historical Society and Ararat Genealogical Society

Ararat RSL Club, corner of High Street and Queen Street, Ararat. Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing followed.

7.00 pm, Tuesday, 20 May, 2008
Melton Library and Information Service

31 McKenzie St, Melton, Victoria 3337
Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing followed.

2.00 pm, Sunday, 18 May, 2008
Avoca and District Historical Society

Avoca Senior Citizens Club. Michael Lawriwsky will speak on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing followed.

6.30 pm for 7.00 pm, Wednesday 14 May, 2008
Kyneton Historical Society

Kyneton RSL Club, 37-39 Mollison Street, Kyneton. Michael Lawriwsky spoke on his book ‘Hard Jacka’. A book signing followed.

7.30 pm, Monday 28 April, 2008
Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society

Port Melbourne Town Hall, 333 Bay Street, Port Melbourne

7.30 pm, Wednesday 23 April
Geelong Family History Group

Clairvaux Catholic School, 37 Reynolds Road, Belmont, Victoria

8 pm, Thursday 17 April, 2008
Box Hill Historical Society

Strabane Chapel, Strabane Avenue, Mont Albert North

3pm, 17 February, 2008
St Kilda Historical Society

Community Room at St Kilda Library, Carlisle St opposite Town Hall

Michael Lawriwsky spoke to the St Kilda Historical Society about his book ‘Hard Jacka’. During the last years of his life, Albert Jacka was a Councillor and Mayor of St Kilda.

2pm, 20 January, 2008
Albert Jacka Memorial Service

St Kilda Cemetery, Dandenong Road, St Kilda

Annual commemoration organised by Descendants of the 14th Battalion Association, with speakers: Cr Janet Cribbes, Mayor, City of Port Phillip and Mr John Cullen OAM, Victorian RSL.

Followed by refreshments, 3.00pm to 4.30 pm at Portico Entrance, St Kilda Town Hall, Cnr Brighton Rd and Carlisle St, St Kilda.

12.15pm Sunday 11 November, 2007 Remembrance Day
Bendigo District RSL Club

Michael Lawriwsky, author of ‘Hard Jacka’ gave a talk and slide presentation on the book at the RSL Club following the commemoration of Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph. (See News articles)

2pm Thursday, 8 November, 2007
Lyceum Club, Melbourne

Michael Lawriwsky spoke to members of the Lyceum Club’s History Circle and their guests on the eve of Remembrance Day.

Monday 8 October, 6.30pm
Readings Carlton, 309 Lygon St

Australian Institute of International Affairs

Professor Geoffrey Blainey was in conversation with author Dr. Michael Lawriwsky, Director of the Allen Consulting Group. Michael's new book Hard Jacka is the first novel that has been written about the exploits of Albert Jacka, VC, Australia's first Victoria Cross winner, and the men of the 14th Battalion First AIF during the Great War. Themes explored include: Australian values and national identity, mateship, leadership, sportsmanship, larrikin humour, ambition, class conflict, bravery, life, death and the future that was lost.

Dr Lawriwsky signed a number of books at the conclusion of the evening.