Author Dr Helen Doyle received the commendation for her book,The Church on the Hill: A centenary history of St Brigid’s Crossley and its Irish-Australian Community.

“It’s a great honour for the book to be recognised in this way, and it’s a great acknowledgement of the invaluable community effort that went into this book,” Doyle said.

The book tells the story of the origins of the immigrant community from Ireland in the 1840s and 1850s.

The battle with the education department after the closure of the first Catholic school under the 1872 Education Act, as well as the strong protest against conscription during World War I was documented by Doyle.

Assistance was also provided by Kathy Baulch, from the Koroit and District Historical Society, as well as Greg Carey and Mary Kelly.

The book was published by Regina Lane, on behalf of The Friends of St Brigid’s.

“It was an outstanding effort by Helen,” Ms Lane said.

“Hers was really a Trojan effort, trawling through all those Gleesons and Lanes and Kellys and Ryans, and working with the locals to figure out who was related to who. I think Helen knows our families better than we do.

“One day we’ll look back when the older generations have passed on, and be so grateful that these stories were documented so thoroughly.” 

Ms Lane said the book was selling well. “Obviously lots of locals have bought it, but it’s surprising how many people around Australia have also ordered it online,” she said. “It goes to show how many people’s family stories originate in this area.

“The Friends of St Brigid’s have worked so hard to protect our heritage story. 

“It’s a great achievement to be recognised for the contribution it makes to Victoria’s history.”