Recollections : 20th century Ballarat is a collection of almost 100 oral histories centred on Ballarat. Most of the people whose stories are told in the book were born around the time of the Great War. The two major events of the 20th century which affected their lives were The Great Depression and the Second World War.
The stories are mostly told by men - many of whom saw war service. It is interesting to see what they made of their lives on their return, in the way of sporting and business/career achievements as well as in their personal lives. Only fifteen women's stories are featured in the book but they are representative of a generation. The cross-section of life stories give us an insight into the society of Ballarat at a time which was quite different to today.

Twenty-eight Ballarat businesses contributed their own stories as did many of the dozen or so of the institutions and societies which are featured in the book.
The overwhelming majority of the 843 photographs were loaned by the people featured in the book and have not been previously published.

Recollections was launched by the Mayor of the City of Ballarat, Cr David Vendy at 3.00 pm on Sunday the 7th of December 2003 at Wendouree Bowling Club, Gregory Street, Wendouree.

Was available from Ballarat bookshops:
Price : A$99.00 for the standard edition (no longer available)
Price : A$200.00 for limited edition (part leather bound, metal insert) (some copies available)

Email : Jennifer Burrell jburrell@ncable.net.au
Max Harris, Harris House of Photography
PO Box 1893 Ballarat Mail Centre 3354
Mobile 0402 812 376