Volume 7 of historian Joyce Beck’s work collects a year of interviews, records and photo gathering, with the help of 12 Kaitangata families.
"The people I’m interviewing now are more my own and less my parents era," Mrs Beck said.
"One interviewee sadly passed on since we spoke, which proves the importance of collecting these stories before they are lost forever."
One of the new volume’s notables was Peggydale founder, former-Sergeant Bill Jones.
Born in Invercargill in 1922, he served with the 23rd Battalion during the World War 2, deployed in North Africa, Greece, Crete and Italy.
He was wounded in Bari, Italy days before the war’s end, but returned home determined to make a life for himself.
In 1948 he married Peggy Brown, of Kaitangata, whom he had met in Dunedin before his deployment.
Mr Jones had always wanted to farm but coal-mining paid well so the couple settled in Kaitangata and went on to have a son and daughter.
Tragedy struck in 1951 when a mining accident left him a paraplegic. Despite grim medical predictions, he refused to give in, undergoing multiple operations and learning new skills during rehabilitation.
The family later established a small farm and leather business at Stirling and named it Peggydale.
Mr Jones became known for his workmanship in moccasins, handbags and leather repairs, while also helping to run the farm with the support of family, neighbours, friends and the tireless Peggy.
Peggydale eventually evolved into the landmark tourist stop south of Balclutha, complete with a café and craft workshop.
Bill was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in 1980 and was probably the longest-living paraplegic in the southern hemisphere. His body was donated to science after he died in 1997.
"Everyone was keen to see them succeed," Mrs Beck said.
"I think mining communities have a special synergy because of the danger and the responsibility everyone takes on to watch each other’s backs."
Proceeds from A Trip Down Memory Lane would go towards Kaitangata Promotions. Mrs Beck planned to help fund signboards for the town’s popular riverside walks.
