The Launch Part 2 - Dream a Dream...

Wednesday afternoon...

My niece sat watching the news on the television and although I could not see the broadcast, I heard someone begin to sing... I had to leave... I was running late!

Wednesday evening...

As several hundred people made the way into the Federation Court of the National Gallery of Victoria, a lone piper, positioned near to the Water Wall played traditional Scottish tunes. They were making their way into an event that could only be described as ‘pretty special’. It was a little after 6:30pm on Wednesday, 15^th April, 2009. Most people did not know one another. Most people were intrigued with the purpose of their invitation to attend. However, everyone knew that the novel being launched was about the only Australian whose body was recovered from the disaster of RMS Titanic: 97 years before... to the day.

Over canapés and fine wine, beer and champagne, the gathering continued to grow in number. With each passing minute, the overwhelming sense of the occasion was becoming more evident. Trevor Jones, the international performing pianist, played on the grand piano.

Much of the discussion between those present was about a man who stopped and chatted briefly with many of the invited guests.

Dressed in a fine black dinner suit, Steven Rafter looked uncomfortable for a few moments as the crowd continued to fill Federation Court. Across the room, he recognised someone he knew. It was Professor Jaynie Anderson, Chair of the International Committee for the History of Art and on staff at the University of Melbourne. Dressed in red, she was here to deliver an address about the Banquet of Cleopatra. The connection would present itself shortly.

More about this later...

This week has been ‘exceptional’ for many reasons. Firstly, my family made their way to Melbourne from interstate and from overseas to attend the Australian launch of 209 A Story. I had seen most of them in Scotland for the launch at Balmoral but it was equally exciting seeing them in Melbourne. They were staying the Grand Hyatt on Exhibition Street and I went in to see them soon after their arrival on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, KT had arrived back from her European adventure (following the UK launch) and she was in much better condition than I thought she would be. I’d cleaned the flat as best I could and we sat and tried to cram the last three weeks into three hours. We laughed a lot about the events of Europe and how much we all packed into our time there. Much mention was made of the chocolates from Charbonnel et Walker on Old Bond Street and also of Chalmer’s Pies in Ballater – not to mention the dancing until 3am at the Hen Hooouse...

Jax, Renee and Pieter had all called to check I was ok and offer support. Another friend, Peter sent me a one word text message... ‘Breathe!’

As I raced from the hotel room, I heard this singing and saw the stunned faces of various members of my family who were now seated with my niece and watching the television.

When the bell sounded to enter ‘in unto’ the Great Hall of the National Gallery, a polite murmur sounded. The crowd, now well feed, took their seats and waited for this unusual launch to commence. Any late comers would need to stand as no seats remained empty.

The large gathering remained silent as they realised they were witnessing something that was indeed, ‘pretty special’. The Author took to the stage...

‘Although I am flattered by the recent report in the Belfast Telegraph about me being, ‘A Best Selling Australian Author’, I have to admit this is not the case... Yet!’

The crowd laughed and applauded.

He thanked the people for attending and he then introduced the guest speaker.

Professor Jaynie Anderson, gave an address about the Banquet of Cleopatra. The magnificent painting by Tiepolo, which is housed in the National Gallery of Victoria, plays an important part within the storyline of ‘209 A Story’. Her wit and love of the painting is shared by the author who moved to Melbourne in 1998 after a successful teaching career in Queensland and in Europe.

The intrigue of the plot covers a period up to the present day and takes place in Australia, Scotland, South Africa, England, Russia and France. It is reported to be the first novel in print to make reference to the new American President and Mrs Obama. A first edition copy of the novel has been sent to the White House. ‘It is a book of firsts,’ said Professor Anderson. ‘It is not only the first novel in print to make reference to the new American President, but also, it is the first novel to include reference to the Banquet of Cleopatra and also includes direct, well researched, reference to Australian indigenous Rock Art. The novel is ‘exceptional’.’

The last comment I heard as I left the room was... ‘WOW!’ I would try and find out what was going on – and why the segment on the news had drawn in, what appeared to be, my entire family... I just remember thinking in the lift on the way down from the 33^rd floor... I really did like the singing that I had just heard; it was ethereal.

Several of his friends read passages from the novel, much to the approval of the appreciative audience. One person commented, ‘This is so Steven, he has these launches of his novel in these incredible settings but keeps it real by inviting his friends to read parts of the story to a huge crowd. He is like that.’

Following the formal part of the evening, I then had the opportunity to sign many, MANY copies of 209 A Story (yeah!). As those who had purchased the novel moved forward, I thanked them for attending and listened to their stories about why they turned up, their good wishes... and anything else they had to say. I could not believe how long people had queued to have their novel signed. For the first time, I saw the true responsibility I had regarding my own dream of '209 A Story'... Who was I? I am the self appointed person with the responsibility to have Arthur McCrae’s life recognised by his fellow Australians... his life... as an important Australian link to RMS Titanic. I only hope I have done him proud.

After almost an hour and a half of signing copies of the novel, I was exhausted. The night had been a huge success and I was so humbled by the entire experience. The ‘209 A Story’ banners were packed up, the lights of the National Gallery of Victoria were turned off, and we all went home. I could not sleep. With my ipod playing in my ears, I walked for a couple of hours to wind down.

The following day before they left Melbourne, my niece was trying to answer the question I had just posed. I asked her what was on the television that had everyone so captivated. When she told me I immediately went to YouTube on my iphone and entered the name ‘Susan Boyle’ to find out what had happened... the message was – ‘this video does not currently support iphone’. It was not until today, Saturday, that I finally was able to hit the site.

As I watched I began to cry. I cried because I was so incredibly tired. I cried because her voice was so beautiful and strong. I cried because I realised how, that one brief moment the previous day – her singing had burned into my memory. I cried because I understood how she felt.

I can only make comment about the information I have now seen about her on the web. She was expressing how I was feeling as I walked to wind down. For so many years she has believed in who she is but she had never been given an audience to appreciate what she had to offer... until now!

She dreamed her dream...

and she never gave it up...

and unlike the final lyrics

of the song she sung –

her new life now...

has just begun!

It is a product of what is happening with the world in this time of economic doom and gloom. It is the human spirit glowing brighter than ever – because the ‘Good Time Crowd’ must display constraint ( ie they learned from the French Revolution). It is a time when someone from an obscure situation can take on the world... and dare to dream...

Have a nice week everyone...

Cheers Steven

Link to news article in UK newspaper about the event at Balmoral

http://www.deesidepiper.co.uk/news/Balmoral-hosts-a-novel-occasion.5111995.jp

Link to news article in the UK newspaper about the visit to Belfast

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/titanic-author-visits-shiprsquos-birthplace-14267416.html