Honour for Veteran Coalfield Historian

No.36

HONOUR FOR VETERAN COALFIELD HISTORIAN

The Coalfield Heritage Group, of Kurri Kurri, have honoured local historian, Mr Jim Comerford, of Weston, by renaming their Coalfield Regional Library, located in the Edgeworth David Museum, the Jim Comerford Coalfield Library.

As a writer of books, journal and newspaper feature articles, as well as book reviews for the Newcastle Herald, Mr Comerford's work on historical, industrial and political matters has been published throughout Australia and overseas.    

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In a lifetime of research and study all around the world, an interest which began when he was a small boy, Jim, a member of the small Coalfield Heritage Group (C.H.G.), enthusiastically, and in all sincerity, informs many with whom he comes in contact, that the Coalfield Regional Library is the best library facility of its type he has ever used.

“Jim is a walking encyclopedia on Coalfields and coalmining histoty,” said Brian Andrews, secretary of the C.H.G. “He is now into his 87th year, and although he has suffered a few health set-backs lately, his mind is as sharp and as retentive as ever. As a historian myself, Jim has been and inspiration and wonderful help to me, unselfishly sharing his knowledge and generously providing material for the library's archives.”

It is fitting that at the C.H.G's, next history night, on June 20, Mrs Doreen Smith, of Cessnock, will be presenting a slide-illustrated talk on the “History of the Port of Newcastle and Coalmining.” During the evening the name of Jim Comerford will be officially conferred upon the Coalfield Regional Library.

Thus two great Australians, whose lives began overseas, at Wales and Scotland respectively, Sir Edgeworth David and Mr Jim Comerford, will have their names associated with this Coalfield institution of learning.

When informed of the C.H.G's decision Mr Comerford, who these days would prefer to keep a lower profile, said he felt it truly a great honour and was immensely proud that such a wonderful institution should bear his name.

The rapidly growing library and archives, established just over three years ago to house all of the research and reference material compiled by the C.H.G., currently fills nearly six bays of library shelving, and contains over 50.000 pages of information on all of the local towns, collieries, WWI, the Boer War and many other specialty subjects.

The community managed Jim Comerford Coalfield Library, as it will henceforth be known, has been funded by government research grants, as well as local businesses, the Joint Coal Board, Cessnock City Council and visitor donations. Research facilities have also been donated to the library in the form of several microfiche readers and a photocopier, to cater for those undertaking the popular pastime of family history.

The museum, and library, located in the grounds of the Kurri Kurri High School, are open every Sunday, Wednesday, and Public Holiday from 1 till 4 pm, and admission is free with donations accepted.

[Transcribed for the Weston History and Heritage website by Mélissa Martin]