A Piesse of the sporting action

Mount Eliza’s own Ken Piesse – Australia's most prolific sports author – speaks to Sarah Halfpenny about his new memoir, Living the Dream. The book chronicles his lifelong passion for sport, from attending Sheffield Shield matches as a child to his current role as a storyteller on cruise ships, showcasing a career that spans playing, writing about and commentating on cricket and football across the globe.

Living the Dream is your 89th publication. What inspired you to write a memoir at this point in your career?

I tell stories of my past on P&O cruise ships and people like them enough to come and thank me afterwards and say they’d love to read my life story. My publisher was blown away that I'd had 60 years in sport and suggested I should write about my experiences and all the famous people I've met along the way: the best interviews, the scoops, the inspirations, the mentors. So I did.

How do you maintain your passion and productivity after so many years in the field?

When you love what you do, it’s easy. I work from 10am to 5pm almost every day except in cricket season, when cricket practice beckons me out of my library earlier on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have worked from home since 1988 when I became a freelancer. Living and engaging with so many on the Peninsula is fun each and every day. Not having to drive to town every day is a blessing and helps me to be more productive. Less wasted hours.

Your book covers interactions with sporting legends like Don Bradman and Shane Warne. How did these encounters shape your career and perspective on sports?

Bradman was a hero. Always. Warne became one even though I was older than him. The Don edited one of my books for school children on himself, and Warne wrote forewords for two of my books. One (was) on Terry Jenner, his coach and former Test player who, among many laurels, taught me how to make the best mashed potato. He’d been in jail and learnt the skills there; he worked as a short order cook at Yatala prison in Adelaide. He was in for embezzlement.

Living the Dream includes photos from your personal collection. Is there a particular image that holds special significance for you?

The one with Mum. Last page of colour pics. She’s 100 not out and is amazing. The best innings of all. Kids underestimate the importance of their parents. I had/have two wonderful ones. So supportive and encouraging. Dad died when I was 27. He'd been in the war. Mum is still here, touch wood.

As someone who's achieved so much in sports writing without being a top-level athlete, what advice would you give to young sports enthusiasts on the Peninsula who dream of a career in sports media?

Read books, get yourself expert in the background of your favourite area and think about stories which would appeal in local papers. Find out who your editor is and go and meet them with several story ideas. If they are any good, they’ll back you and it could lead to the most rewarding of careers.

Looking back on your career, what do you consider your greatest achievement in sports journalism or authorship?

My best moment’s still to come, but my biggest story was on Darren Jolly (being) prepared to miss a grand final to be at the birth of his first child, which went front page Australia-wide in 2006. That was very satisfying.