Former host of Today and The Project, Lisa Wilkinson, has joined the family business with a new book about the only Australian to survive the sinking of the Titanic. What began as a suggestion for a future book by her husband, prolific history writer Peter FitzSimons, became a storytelling project that sustained Wilkinson through what she calls a 'difficult time in my life.'
The story of Evelyn Marsden
Evelyn Marsden, a South Australian nurse working as a stewardess on the doomed ocean liner, was 28 years old when she took the oars of a lifeboat and used rowing skills learned on the Murray River to steer survivors to safety. Her heroic actions saved numerous lives as the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage in 1912.
A personal project
Wilkinson, who has been a controversial figure in the Brittany Higgins saga, found solace in researching and writing about Marsden. The book allowed her to focus on a story of resilience and courage during a challenging period in her own life. She describes the project as a 'labour of love' that connected her with her husband's passion for history.
Family collaboration
Peter FitzSimons, known for his bestselling historical works, suggested the topic to Wilkinson. The couple collaborated closely, with FitzSimons providing guidance and encouragement. Wilkinson's book aims to bring Marsden's story to a new generation of readers, highlighting her bravery and the little-known Australian connection to the Titanic disaster.
The book is expected to be released later this year and has already generated significant interest among history enthusiasts and fans of Wilkinson's work.
