14 January 2008

Michael Lawriwsky prominent member of Ukrainian community and author

Michael Lawriwsky is the author of Hard Jacka, a historical novel about Jacka's war. www.hardjacka.com

The Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organization’s congratulates Michael on his recent work and success with the book Hard Jacka. The AFUO has had discussion with Michael to conduct a series of discussions nights within the Ukrainian and broader community on his book.

The piece below was published in the Melbourne Herald Sun 14.1.2008

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23047162-5000117,00.html

Albert Jacka remembered

Article from: Herald Sun

January 14, 2008 12:00am

HOW often have you driven down St Kilda's foreshore admiring Port Phillip Bay or more recently, thinking of the proposed $300 million development of the Triangle adjoining the Palais Theatre?

You're on Jacka Boulevard, but it's amazing how many younger Victorians don't know the man behind the name.

In the 1920s and 1930s every Australian schoolboy knew Albert Jacka as the equal of Hector and Achilles.

Captain Albert Jacka, Victoria Cross, Military Cross and Bar was a legend of the Anzacs.

Later as a councillor and mayor of St Kilda, he proposed development of public baths, the foreshore and the Elwood Park Kiosk to help the unemployed of the Depression.

In December 1914 the 14th Battalion's colours were blessed on the lawns opposite the Triangle site, prior to its leaving for World War I.

Jacka, 21, was among the troops on those lawns.

The coming years would mark his strength of character, leadership, audacious courage and his humility.

At Gallipoli, he jumped alone into a trench full of Turks and after bayoneting two and shooting five others, came out alive at the other end.

His fierce will emerged with other incredible acts in France and Belgium. Wounded many times, he came back to Australia a living legend.

Jacka settled in St Kilda and ran a successful electrical appliances business in the city.

He married, bought a house and adopted a baby daughter.

All was well while the 1920s boom continued - then calamity struck.

Jacka lost his home and business, yet was made mayor of St Kilda in September 1930, at the height of the Great Depression crisis.

Jacka's new mission was alleviating the condition of the poor and unemployed in the district, which included many of his fellow war veterans.

He rallied the citizens of St Kilda to collect boots and clothing for them.

The mayor raised funds for them through dances, film nights and communal singing on the pier.

And he urged the government to fund public works to create employment. Jacka allocated the Old Court House to the unemployed.

"Just as necessary to the unemployed as food" he said, as he paid for the repairs from his own pocket.

Like many of his mates, Jacka never fully recovered his health from war service.

Suddenly, tragically, Albert Jacka died on January 17, 1932, of kidney failure, leaving his family in financial hardship. He was only 39.

About 30,000 mourners lined the streets of Melbourne in 42C heat for his funeral.

Not everyone is ignorant or hazy about the legend of Albert Jacka.

Descendants of the 14th Battalion Association gather for an annual service at the Jacka memorial in the cemetery.

Attendance has been growing. Albert Jacka will be remembered again at the 2008 service this Sunday.

Michael Lawriwsky is the author of Hard Jacka, a historical novel about Jacka's war. www.hardjacka.com