Roadblocks, detours and power blackouts could not dampen the spirits of the large gathering of around 80 at the RSL on Sunday 15th October for the launch of One Hell at a Time.
Thanks to everyone who defied the roadblocks and detours to make it, and then had to find the room in the dark! We may have had no power, but that didn’t stop the event from going ahead and being a tremendous afternoon.
RSL member and veteran, Graham Bailey welcomed everyone to the venue before reciting the oath and handing over to Laura Spiby-Jones the MC, who was her usual brilliant bubbly self, and did a fantastic job!
The lack of a microphone and competing with the background noise did not deter Hazel Edwards or Lieutenant Colonel Neil Smith from speaking over the noise from outside and saying some really lovely things about the book.
Serendipitously the power came back on just as I started speaking, so we had lights and a microphone as I spoke of Albert, and was able to do a reading from the book, including one of his letters.
The RSL were fabulous, and I can recommend it as a venue – when the power is on! Having said that, the lack of power added to the atmosphere and the ‘can-do attitude’ of everyone present.
With the power back on the urn was boiling and the guests were treated to homemade authentic Anzac biscuits made by Bonnie Halls with their cuppa, before leaving with their signed copies of the book.
One hell at a Time chapter reading by
Tracee Spiby
The video of the reading of the chapter A Bloody Fiasco which relates to the battle of Bullecourt was kindly provided by Sylvie
Local media articles
Shepparton Advisor 1 November 2023
One hell of a book launch
November 1, 2023
A TROOP of friends, family, history buffs and book lovers gathered at the Shepparton RSL on Sunday, October 15, to witness the birth of One Hell at a Time, the brilliant new book by
Tracee Spiby.
One Hell at a Time is Tracee’s first book and tells the incredible story of her grandfather Albert Henry Spiby’s harrowing experience during World War 1.
Despite works on Knight Street causing lighting and microphone issues, the event was a triumph for the Murchison local. Hosted by Tracee’s daughter Laura Spiby-Jones, with guest speakers Lieutenant Colonel Neil C. Smith AM Rtd and renowned author Hazel Edwards OAM, who is famed for There’s A Hippopotamus on Our Roof Eating Cake.
After her guests of honour spoke, Tracee stole the show with an incredible reading from the book, capturing the hell our servicemen face in war and why their stories must be told.
“Never before have I read such a truthful, detailed and graphic account of life in and out of the trenches for Australian infantrymen to read it is to feel the freezing cold of a Flanders winter or suffer the pain of wrenching free from jagged barbed wire and the sucking, blood-soaked mud which enveloped all living, dying and dead creatures,” said Lieutenant Colonel Neil C Smith.
Tracee will hold an author talk at the Numurkah Library Friday, November 10 at 2pm.
You can purchase a copy of One Hell at a Time from Collins bookstore in Shepparton, or for a signed copy email [email protected].
Interview with local radio station One FM
