Local historian officially launches fifth and final book Myall Coast Photo Gallery Port Stephens by News Of The Area - Modern Media - March 14, 2024 Michele Winn emceed for the launch of her mother’s new book. POWERHOUSE historian Janis Winn’s fifth and latest book was officially launched before 140 people at the Tea Gardens Baptist Church on Saturday, 9 March. In ‘The Chronicles of Carrington, Tahlee and the Legacy of the Australian Agricultural Company 200 Years’, what Janis says is her final book, she has extensively covered the people and times of the oldest continuously operating company in Australia, from its humble and ambitious beginnings here on the northern shores of Port Stephens. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Emceed by Janis’ daughter Michele Winn, the event’s guest speakers included former Stroud Mayor John Chadban, who has a long personal connection to the Australian Agricultural Company (AACo), and State MP Kate Washington, who officially launched the book on Janis’ behalf. Several descendants of the AACo’s original settlers were also present, as was special guest Aaron Wakeley, all the way from Brisbane to represent the modern AACo. “It’s wonderful to be here and show our support for Jan,” Aaron said. “This is where the company started, and great to see people keeping that history alive.” Michele Winn said her mum had been documenting the area’s history since the 1970s. “This is all we have known her to do,” said Michele. Mr Chadban celebrated the detailed nature of Janis’ latest offering. “This book is different, it deals with the settlement of the northern side of Port Stephens, when the AACo brought 250 people, 720 sheep, twelve head of cattle and fifteen horses to one million acres of wilderness along the mangrove marshes back in 1826,” Mr Chadban declared. “Jan has done wonderfully researched work, with a painstaking eye for detail, tremendous will and energy.” Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington was equally enthused. “This book has a remarkable story, about a remarkable area, by a remarkable woman,” Ms Washington declared. “The effort that goes into Jan’s books is an extraordinary act of generosity, and her deep connections to the community make it more powerful.” Janis thanked AACo, the Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Family Research and Local History Group, Sabrina and Neville Smith, Pauline Ibbettson, Kim and Janine Burton for their help funding the work, and Newcastle University’s Hunter Regional Living History Group, along with Shirley Cox and Leslie Turner, especially for their exhaustive help researching. “I consider myself fortunate to have grown up in this area, and seeing the changes over time first-hand,” Janis said. While Janis promises this will be her last work, those in attendance were not convinced. “Last book? We’ve all heard that before,” agreed the speakers. Today, AACo owns and operates around 6.5 million hectares of land in Queensland and the Northern Territory, equating to roughly one percent of Australia’s landmass. By Thomas O’KEEFE John Chadban, former Mayor, has launched three of Janis’ previous works. State MP Kate Washington officially launched the new book for Janis. John Chadban, Kate Washington MP, Janis Winn, researchers Shirley Cox and Leslie Turner, and emcee Michele Winn (r). Mr Chadban, Ms Washington, Janis Winn and Aaron Wakeley, representing the modern Australian Agricultural Company, down from Brisbane for the launch. Janis discusses her book as the afternoon tea gets crowded at the Tea Gardens Baptist Church. A successful launch for the Winns: Janis (middle) with her children (l-r) Kathy, Graham, Michele and Alison.
