Project to record local ADF stories

The Shire of Dumbleyung Historical Committee is compiling a biography of the Australian Defence Force personnel who were born or have lived and worked in the Shire to commemorate and acknowledge the contribution they made before they are forgotten. Conflicts include the Boer War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, East Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq through to the present day. Volunteer Defence staff from World War II, Nashos who served from 1952-1972, and Army Reserves are also invited to take part. With a 1000-word limit, contributors are encouraged to tell their tales and submit them, along with a service photo and image of any personal memorabilia. Dumbleyung Historical Committee’s Jill Clarke said the inspiration for the book came from a similar project in Williams. “I stumbled across On Active Service, written by Louise Higham, who did a similar project for returned servicemen and women in the Shires of Williams and West Arthur, and I thought I’d love to do the same for my dad and the other men and women in our district,” she said. Ms Clarke said progress had been slow. “We have a database with around 700 names of potential people to be included in the book. Research is being conducted using the National Archives of Australia, Department of Veteran Affairs and Trove to try to find these men and women’s records.” The project deadline is August 1, with a book launch planned for Anzac Day 2021. Contributors can send in their own accounts, but if they have difficulty, local writers will put their story together. Submissions can be sent to dumbleyungshiredefence book@gmail.com.