Welcome to the new look Illawarra Coal web site - it was a long time coming!
I can't believe it has been nearly 20 years since Brian and I first got together to launch the original Illawarra Coal website. Back in 1999 there was very little information available on the web detailing the complex history of coal mining in the Illawarra region of NSW. Brian had been collating historical facts for years which he imagined might one day become a book. But a book can only be a snapshot in time, it cannot be updated and corrected as new information comes to light, and historical research never ever reaches a conclusion.
So a book (at least in my view) was never going to be as flexible as a website to present his research. A website offered the added benefit of regular revisions as new information is verified or corrections are required. Brian agreed it would be a good vehicle to share his research and the Illawarra Coal web site was launched in February 1999.
The design of the original site was refreshed once or twice over the years, but I admit it became very old fashioned and neglected over the last ten years due to my lack of available time to dedicate on the site.
Finally I have managed to refresh the design for Brian and we can now once again focus on keeping the content fresh without the design getting in the way.
I hope you enjoy the site, please sign up and get involved by adding your stories or submitting your images of coal mining in the Illawarra. Also, consider supporting our ongoing efforts through sponsorship so that we can continue to dedicate time in presenting the Illawarra Coal history.
Mark McShane
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