Mining war history book recognised by awards

MINING Mud & Medals, a book about Ballarat’s Australian Army Tunnelling Corps men of the First World War, has been shortlisted in the Premier’s History, and Victorian Community History, awards.

The publication was written over four years by a sub-committee of Ballarat historians and researchers.

Project manager, Yvon Davis said men of the Tunnelling Companies in WW1 have often been “overlooked.”

“The book looks at the history of the School of Mines, the Avenues of Honour and, most importantly, biographies of over 170 tunnellers from the Ballarat electorate, and more,” she said.

“It’s all beautifully illustrated in a hardcover book.”

Ms Davis said the sub-committee, part of the Victorian Interpretive Projects, are honoured to have their book recognised.

“The final award winners will be announced in October as part of History Month, and we are hoping to be in the running for the History Print Publication, however being recognised is more than we had hoped for,” she said.

The book is available in bookshops around Ballarat. The Mining Mud & Medals project received a funding boost from the Department of Veterans Affairs’ ANZAC Centenary Grants.

Out of the Madhouse, a book by Ballarat-born Sandy Jeffs is also nominated, sharing the voices of former inmates and staff of Larundel Psychiatric Hospital.

Visit prov.vic.gov.au/community/grants-and-awards/community-history-awards for more information.