Updated April 03, 2017 12:58:59

When Walter Mikac's wife and two daughters were killed in the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, he vowed he wouldn't let his grief turn to hate.

Instead, the pharmacist became a prominent motivational speaker and from the tragedy he created the Alannah and Madeline Foundation — named after his daughters — which supports children who have experienced or witnessed serious violence.

As the foundation marks its 20-year anniversary, more than 50 prominent Australians have contributed to a new book compiled by Mr Mikac, titled Letters of Love, which shares stories and messages of love.

Photo: Walter Mikac with his girls, Alannah and Madeline, in the 1990s. (Supplied: Walter Mikac)

"It was really inspired by Alannah," he told ABC News Breakfast.

"After Port Arthur happened there was a lot of soul searching and I went looking through her schoolbooks and drawings.

"Everywhere there were these letters like, 'Thank you Mum and Dad for doing this and taking us here and there'.

"They obviously still sustain me in many ways.

"This book was a great way of remembering the anniversary and also honouring that love and spirit of Alannah and Madeline and [wife] Nanette."

Survivors who were with Nanette Mikac and her daughters when they died break silence.

The contributors are varied — sports stars Layne Beachley and Ron Barassi, broadcasters Leigh Sales and Paul Kennedy, and social and political figures like Bob Brown and Michael Kirby.

And the letters are addressed to family members and future versions of the authors themselves to figures like St Peter, and concepts like Australia and childhood.

All profits from the sale of the book go towards the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

"We wanted a diverse group and we wanted diverse messages, and I think we achieved that," Mikac said.

Here's a handful of extracts from contributors to the book.

Michael Kirby: Former Justice of the High Court

Photo: Michael Kirby has been outspoken on the issue of same-sex marriage. (Reuters: Denis Balibouse )

Dear Johan,

You have been my loving partner since that day we met in Kings Cross, Sydney, on Tuesday, 11 February 1969. What a blessing that chance encounter was for me. Suddenly I got lucky.

There are some people in Australia who do not understand our love. Amazingly, many of them are religious people who proclaim a loving message of their faith. But we know, and our families know, the power and blessing of the love of human beings for one another.

Les Twentyman: Youth outreach worker

Photo: Melbourne youth worker Les Twentyman has battled a number of health issues. (ABC News)

Dear St Peter,

Hope you're well, mate. You might remember me from a few years back — the bloke you told to nick off because you weren't ready for me when my lap-band surgery went tits-up.

Can you thank the Lord for the Bulldogs' season? I've been rooting for ... aw, jeez, sorry about this American spell-check. I'll switch it off. Start again. I've been barracking for Footscray all my life.

We're all pretty happy here in the West. Bad luck about the Saints, but I reckon they're improving under Richardson.

Paul Kennedy: ABC sports presenter

To my beautiful sons,

Looking back on my adult life, I see your mother's face in every scene: regal but relaxed at a lazy Sunday pub on the day we met, causing all the blokes' jaws to drop; smiling with fun and confidence as she began walking to a smooth R&B tune — baby, baby, baby, baby, baby — down The Aisle in a gold town; grimacing with courage three times in the same hospital as you each struggled to be born; bidding me soft goodnights while warming her feet on mine at the end of all our days.

Boys, please know your parents' love for each other has been passed to you as flames to forever warm and comfort you, when you need it most and for as long as you live.

Emily Bitto: Author

Photo: Novelist Emily Bitto has penned a love letter to her childhood. (Supplied)

Dear childhood,

Dear coat I could not fit in my luggage and left on the train from Madrid to Barcelona.

Dear crippling shyness.

This is a letter to you and to all of your fellows, the things I have left behind.

I know some of you will feel neglected, abandoned, but this is a love letter to you, because without you I would be someone, somewhere, else.

Without you, I would not be me.

Janine Allis: Boost Juice founder

Photo: Janine Allis is the founder of the international juice business, Boost Juice. (Twitter: @JanineBoost)

Dear Mum,

When I was a small child growing up, it was all about me and my needs of food, love, cuddles and security. I did not think of you as a woman with your own desires, feelings and wants — you were simply Mum.

Now that I am grown and a mother of my own children, I reflect on the wonderful life that you have given me.

Know that I love you with all my heart: you are my friend, my mother and my rock. I love you immeasurably.

Leigh Sales: ABC presenter

Photo: 7.30 presenter Leigh Sales has two young boys. (ABC: Daniel Boud)

To my dear boys,

I love that you are MY boys. You are sweet and funny and I hope that you grow up to be kind-hearted men.

Maybe you won't have any letters from me in the future, but if you should happen upon this silly note in this book one day, I hope it warms your heart and makes you remember that nobody will ever love you as much as your mum.

Also, please don't throw out Anne of Green Gables, even though neither of you wretches will ever want to read it.

Topics: books-literature, community-and-society, charities, australia

First posted April 03, 2017 12:39:46