Description
This book is a collection of Australian historical stories and anecdotes centred around an outback store, Jones Store, located in Newcastle Waters, Northern Territory. The stories are told by author Peter Jones as recollections from his childhood to present day.
“It is my hope that readers of these reflections will feel a need to preserve the history of outback Australia and appreciate the spirit of early pioneers on who our folklore is built” – Peter Jones, Author.
Tina-Marie Lowe –
Having lived in the NT for over thirty years and being a child of a family that pioneered the Territory, I have read many books and seen many images of the years of early settlement. Jones Store is a beautifully presented book, full of social history and memorable images.
I am fortunate to work in a NT high school and was so pleased to share the book with students that are descendants of some of the characters who are lovingly recorded in the Jones Store Hardcover Book. Watching small groups huddled around the book with huge smiles and animated chatter, as they found great grandparents was so moving and delightful.
Thank you Peter for sharing your story and bringing knowledge and joy to so many.
Alison Walker (verified owner) –
“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.” ― Sue Monk Kidd
As an educator of young children, I believe when we look at the past and the lives of those who have gone before us, we should look at the ordinary people and what they achieved despite their circumstances. Here we can begin to understand that the human experience is truly about connection to place, contribution to community and persevering through the hardships and setbacks in life, to accomplish something. In ‘Jones Store’ these pioneering men and women from Australia’s past, are brought to life in this beautifully presented, hard cover book.
Peter’s descriptive anecdotes, poetry and colourful accounts of life in the outback, together with the historic photographs found on every page, made for an engaging read from cover to cover. It was easy to see the extraordinary fortitude and determination of these pioneering men and women. The interactions and relationships with the Aboriginal People of the area, I also found particularly insightful.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Australia’s pioneering past and the lives of the men and women who bravely ventured into the outback heart of our nation.
Laurie Muller –
It is an honour to pay tribute to the remarkable work of Peter Jones in creating this outstanding book. The story itself is a remarkable enough but when you realise that Peter, with no publishing experience, has produced a book of such exceptional quality that any professional publisher would look upon it with genuine envy.
It is a superb history of this legendary part of Australia, told with great authority in a matter of fact style. It tells of exceptional people doing exceptional things, but Peter Jones beguiles us readers into believing it all as just day to day stuff. Such is the quite modesty of old style Territorians
His use of illustration, from stunning historic photo’s to carefully drawn maps and charts, adds enormously to his narrative and draws you right in to his family story and the life and times of the famous Jones Store
You will search a long time to find a book of this quality and veracity in the bookshops of Australia, so do yourself a great favour and purchase one, or several, online directly from Peter. You wont be disappointed.
Laurie Muller AM
Publisher
(spanning 45 years at Rigby, Lansdowne Press & Uni of Qld Press)
Maxine Baban –
Reading “Jones Store Newcastle Waters” is stepping into a significant era of Northern Territory history. Peter Jones has brought to life not only his parents’ store but also the growth and day to day life of a township and the characters who lived there. My mother-in-law was born at the nearby station in 1931 and reading Peter’s book has given wonderful insight into that time and how her life might have been. Such a wonderful contribution to preserve the history of an era and a town. Thank you Peter.
Maria Theodora McKenna Zonneveld (verified owner) –
In the book ‘Jones Store’, Peter Jones offers his personal, comprehensive, and in-depth insight of life in the outback of the Northern Territory of Australia during the first half of the 20th century. It highlights the pioneering spirit, unique character, and the adaptability of the early settlers, the high respect for the Aboriginal people, and the open-mindedness, integration, and acceptance of the various ethnic races and ideals. Interspersed among the stories and history there are little snippets which demonstrate how the Jones family were an integral and quintessential part of the Northern Territory, and left a long-lasting legacy of their substantial influence which can still be seen in Newcastle Waters and also in Alice Springs.
As well as the history of the Jones Store itself, this book also shares and explains many historical facts relating to the early pioneers, drovers, Aboriginal people, stations, and the Flying Doctor Service, to mention just a few. In particular, this book shows the appreciation of, and gives credit for the skills of the Aboriginal people, and shines light on aspects of culture and government policy which are not dwelt upon in modern literature. It also contains interviews with, and stories about, acquaintances from the area and era mentioned, and adroitly sketches the nature of life in Newcastle Waters.
As I turned the pages, it seemed as if I was actually sitting under the verandah at the Jones Store, and that I was personally watching and partaking as a member of the community.
This book could be interesting reading for someone who has lived in Central Australia. It would also make useful reading for any person who intends to travel in the Northern Territory and wants an insight, and some understanding of the life and history of the Centre. I highly recommend it.