Veteran broadcaster Lisa Wilkinson, 66, returns to the public eye after years away, discussing her emotional journey amid intense scrutiny and the passion project that aided her recovery.
New Book: The Titanic Story of Evelyn
Wilkinson shares mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement over her latest endeavor, a book titled The Titanic Story of Evelyn. This work centers on Evelyn Marsden, the sole Australian-born survivor of the RMS Titanic disaster.
The project emerged during a challenging period dominated by legal proceedings. “Spending a lot of time with lawyers, really, which I wouldn’t suggest is a great way to live your life,” Wilkinson states. It provided a vital distraction from constant media coverage. “It was the most incredibly wonderful distraction to be able to delve into someone else’s life – not my own – because I was everywhere in the press. I was sick of me. I can’t imagine how the rest of the country felt.”
Wilkinson drew personal parallels to Marsden’s ordeal. “I felt like that was all I was doing every single day – rowing against the tide,” she explains. She dedicates the book to “every woman, like Evelyn, who has ever rowed against the tide.” Exploring the Titanic tragedy, where over 1,500 lives were lost, offered vital perspective. “When you deal with tragedy on that level, it puts into perspective any troubles I might have been having.”
Reflections on Past Challenges
Wilkinson faced significant public debate following her 2021 interview with Brittany Higgins on The Project. She expresses no regrets about the story. “I don’t think I ever had that thought, but I certainly had some very rough days,” she says. “So every time it was, ‘I’m OK, I’m not on the Titanic, not fighting to save my life. I’m just hoping to defend some work of mine.'”
Looking back, she highlights pride in the outcome. “So when I look back on having done that story, that’s probably the thing of which I’m most proud.” Wilkinson offers strong support for Higgins: “I really wish Brittany all strength because to go through what she’s had to go through repeatedly… She keeps standing up… I have nothing but admiration for her.”
Sudden Exit from The Project
Addressing her 2022 departure from The Project, Wilkinson clarifies it was not voluntary. “No, not at all. Channel 10 took me off air. It was their decision, not mine,” she confirms. Forced to announce it live on air, she steeled herself. “I was given no choice. Sometimes in life when you’re given no choice, you just steel yourself. You do it, you keep moving forward… that’s what I had to do.”
Away from the spotlight, Wilkinson enjoys a quieter life with her husband, Peter FitzSimons.
