A Miner Celebrity
Newcastle Herald
Friday November 10, 2006
IT'S been a six-month rollercoaster ride for Beaconsfield miner Todd Russell, but during a visit to Maitland yesterday the tough Tasmanian said he was starting to enjoy his celebrity status.
Mr Russell was at Stockland Green Hills last night to sign copies of the book Bad Ground - Inside the Beaconsfield Mine Rescue, which tells the story of his 14-day entombment, along with colleague Brant Webb, at the Beaconsfield goldmine.Mr Webb was ill yesterday and could not travel to Maitland."Our lives have been so busy, flat out," Mr Russell said."It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, with its ups and downs, and it has been pretty fast for us."Trying to adjust with what we are doing now has been the hardest part," he said."I'm getting used to it and actually starting to enjoy it."Mr Russell said he had visited NSW last year for mines rescue training at Lithgow and was in Bathurst last month.Although the book was only launched last Monday, Mr Russell said more than 6000 copies had already been sold.He understands it will soon be available overseas."The response to the book has been overwhelming," he said."The turnout at signings and the response from people has just taken us by surprise. It's been absolutely fantastic."Asked if a movie would follow the book, Mr Russell said time would tell.He reckons Russell Crowe would play his character well. As for Mr Webb? "His role would have to be played by Shrek I reckon." He said he would finish promoting the book next Friday in Western Australia and was planning "a big holiday with the family"."I'm looking forward to that but who knows what's going to happen next," he said."I think the ride will continue a little longer yet."
© 2006 Newcastle Herald
