{"product_id":"2026200016517-secondhand-the-wonthaggi-coalfields-a-story-of-the-men-and-the-mines","title":"The Wonthaggi Coalfields: A Story Of The Men And The Mines","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition remarks:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBook: Good\u003cbr\u003eJacket: No dust jacket\u003cbr\u003ePages: Good\u003cbr\u003eCondition remarks: Condition as shown in image\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCarved out of the rugged Victorian coastline, the Wonthaggi coalfields stand as one of Australia's most dramatic industrial chapters — and The Wonthaggi Coalfields: A Story of the Men and the Mines brings that forgotten world vividly back to life. Philip Harper chronicles the rise and endurance of the coal mining community at Wonthaggi, Victoria, presenting an intimate portrait of the working men and women whose labour fuelled a nation, set against the backdrop of a state-owned mine that operated from 1909 to 1968. The narrative draws on meticulous archival research, interviews with former miners, and records from the Public Records Office of Victoria, grounding the human story in rigorous historical fact.\n\nHarper's work is more than a local history — it is a testament to the resilience of Australia's industrial working class, illuminating themes of union solidarity, hardship, and community identity that resonate far beyond the Wonthaggi basin. Written with warmth and a deep respect for its subjects, the book argues that the coalfields shaped not just a town, but a distinctive Australian character forged in dust and danger underground. For anyone curious about the beating industrial heart beneath Victoria's pastoral image, this account leaves an indelible impression.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secondhand Stock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49336808407259,"sku":"2026200016517-SECONDHAND","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0523\/7646\/9701\/files\/8c8518a4-b439-47ba-844c-51829911ef8b.png?v=1789958240","url":"https:\/\/bookgrocer.com\/products\/2026200016517-secondhand-the-wonthaggi-coalfields-a-story-of-the-men-and-the-mines","provider":"Book Grocer","version":"1.0","type":"link"}