Victorian Community History Awards Shortlist 2020
Four years in the making, the beautifully presented Mining Mud & Medals book was launched on 14 December 2019, highlighting members of the Australian Mining Corps from the Ballarat Electorate.

Members of the Australian Mining Corps were commonly known as ‘tunnellers’. They worked continuously in wet and often muddy conditions, under constant enemy threat. Pneumonia and bronchial illnesses, including gas poisoning and wear and tear injuries from hard physical work in closed underground conditions also took their toll. The tunnellers fought on many battle fronts – from Gallipoli, to France and Belgium.

The Ballarat Electorate has enjoyed a long history connected with mining and its Schools of Mines in Ballarat, Creswick, Daylesford and Clunes. Many talented members of their alumni from across the Central Highlands Region enlisted during Workd War One. History shows these men added significant levels of experience and the expertise of the Australian Mining Corps.

The Mining Mud & Medals book highlights the history of the ‘Tunnellers’, where they came from, where they fought, died and in some cases are commemorated. Around 170 ‘Tunnellers’ from the Ballarat Electorate have been identified. A short biography of each of the 170 is given, including some photos often via family members.

The hard covered book includes many illustrations, including some never before published photographs of the tunnellers and areas where they fought.