Tales of the fascinating people and events that founded and shaped Port Stephens will soon be available to read when a history group releases a book series with a difference at the end of the month.
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Written by Noel Wathen for Port Stephens Historical Society the three-book series navigates the period between 1790 and the 1830s when Europeans first landed and settled in the area.
“History has been a hobby of mine for some years now,” Mr Wathen said. “When I moved to Port Stephens a few years ago I started looking into the history of the area. It has a fascinating history. It was quite amazing when I started looking because I found all these amazing stories just waiting to be written.”
The first book in the series, Escape to Port Stephens, is the true story of the five convicts that escaped the Rose Hill colony near Sydney in 1790 and washed up near Nelson Bay.
The five men lived among the Worimi Aboriginal people for five years. They were discovered in 1975 by Captain William Broughton and taken back to the Sydney colony. Their second escape two years later led to the discovery of Newcastle and its coal.
The second book, Dawson’s Dilemma, focuses on Robert Dawson’s landing in Port Stephens in 1826.
The first agent and manager of the newly formed Australian Agricultural Company – later AA Company, or AACo – and was tasked with producing “articles of export not raised in any other English settlement and other objects of a colonisation character”.
Responsible for two shiploads of animals, people and equipment he was to establish a port to export wool and agriculture.
While Dawson was “bewitched” by the area, he did not think the conditions would be favourable for sheep grazing. His decisions left a lasting impression on Port Stephens.
Book three, Extraordinary People, is about Sir Edward Parry and his wife Lady Isobella Parry and picks up after Dawson’s Dilemma.
When Parry replaced Dawson as manager of AACo in 1829 he and his wife also brought great change to Port Stephens. Their influence and legacy remains today, particularly in Stroud where the Parry’s established St John’s Church.
What sets the books apart from other historical publications previously released by the Nelson Bay-based society is that they are designed to appeal to a broad cross section of the community and in particular young children.
Each book is small and thin, contains one bite-sized piece of history and is written in a novel style as to draw the reader in. And to make them affordable the historical society has for the first time self published the books.
“We really wanted to get school kids involved in history,” Port Stephens Historical Society president Dennis Corr said.
“We aimed to get the books down to 30 pages, down to a single subject, not be too expensive and in a language they can manage.
“After the launch of the Mariners Walk two years ago we realised a lot of people don’t know about the history of Port Stephens. A lot of adults who have lived here all their lives don’t know a lot of its history.
“These small history books aim to teach without pushing it on people. It’s presented in a way that’s ready to be picked up and flicked through and they’re affordable.”
The society had for two years been looking at ways to bring down the cost of publishing books.
By making the three small history books themselves, they have pushed the cost down by 20 percent.
The printing, design and publishing is done in-house now at the society’s research rooms within Tomaree Library.
It is anticipated that the books will be made available to schools and sold in the area.
Port Stephens Historical Society will launch the books at Nelson Bay Bowling Club on October 24.
Mr Wathen is now working on another book for the series which will focus on the Worimi as they were before European settlement.
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Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
