and the Van Diemen's Land Company – were floated on the London Stock Exchange to promote raising fine-wooled sheep in the Australian colonies.

became a major force in the Australian coal and pastoral industries and in the settlement and development of the Hunter River and Port Stephens regions.

The committee took a four-year lease of "The Retreat" (later 'Kelvin') at Bringelly near Camden for the immediate accommodation of imported stock, and sought advice on the best location for the land grant.

[1] In June 1825 Dawson sailed from the Isle of Wight with 27 employees and their wives and families, 800 French and Anglo merino sheep, 8 cattle and 6 horses.

[1] In January 1826, when people and stock were settled, Dawson sailed to Newcastle with a small party on the "Liverpool Packet" and from there, they travelled across country to inspect Port Stephens, an area which, of all those suggested, had the great advantage of access by water.

About 800 acres were suitable for growing corn, while the surrounding hills provided good sheep grazing country, with plenty of fresh water and lime (oyster shells) for building, all situated on a magnificent harbour.

[1] Initially known to Europeans by its Aboriginal name, Caribbean, the settlement at Port Stephens was renamed after the banking peer, Lord Carrington, brother of the company's first governor.

In February 1826 Dawson arrived with cattle, sheep and convicts with the express purpose of growing fine wool for the mills of England and to secure a handsome profit for his bosses.

[1] Within four years, by 1830, a new waterfront area of Carrington village, a few hundred metres away from Tahlee, boasted of being the first planned company town in Australia with a population of more than 500 souls and a school for 50 children.

John Henderson was appointed colliery manager and arrived in Australia in January 1827 with mechanics, labourers and equipment, 230 sheep and 3 horses.

[1] Dawson's dismissal, Henderson's return to England and rumours that the Port Stephens estate in its entirety was unsuitable for their purposes all came as a shock to the directors.

After much negotiation, however, it was agreed in June 1828 that the Governor would be instructed to hand over the coalfields, together with a land grant at Newcastle, and that Henderson would return to the colony as colliery manager.

The convivial commissioner and his wife enjoyed their days here with cricket matches, dinners, balls and picnics, despite the limitations imposed by the isolation and smallness of the community.

The Christian spirit that flourished at Port Stephens was in contrast to the grim restraint and bitter feelings which prevailed not very far away at Patrick's Plains, at "Castle Forbes", the property of "Major" Mudie.

Mr Ebsworth, A.A. Company's accountant, wrote that on a fine summer evening, Lady Parry played the piano, with Sir Edward accompanying her on the violin, or reading aloud in the drawing room.

[1] A track was built over the Dividing Range from Gloucester to Tamworth so that in dry years sheep could be walked from the Peel Estate to Port Stephens for washing and shearing.

[1] In London it was decided that, as the convict situation in New South Wales was now so different, an amending Act of Parliament was needed to free the company's pastoral lands from the restriction of the charter.

In these drastically changed circumstances, the directors decided to replace the commissioner with a less well-paid general superintendent, combine management positions and halve the number of overseers.

In 1880 the property was purchased by Robert Hoddle Driberg White, Member of Parliament for Gloucester (from 1882) and substantially developed as a gentleman's country residence.

The colourful R. H. D. White, owner of two private steam yachts, became the member for Gloucester and rebuilt Tahlee House to hold lavish parties.

What is seen today is largely the legacy of White's ownership while the boat harbour, wine cellar and servants' quarters to the rear of the main house recall the AACo.

[1] On his death, the estate was held in trust for his widow and then passed to their son, Alfrey Beecher Stewart White, who lived primarily in Sydney.

In 1943 a group calling itself the Gospel Fishermen Mission moved across the Port Stephens waterway from Tanilba Bay to lease the Tahlee site.

During the early years of the college (especially 1962 and 1963), the huts which had housed soldiers located at Greta Army Camp were moved by road to the Tahlee property.

It was also during this period that the students benefited from being taught basic skills in DIY tasks that anticipated their future missionary role on location throughout the world, especially in more remote places.

[1] Significant features include: The physical condition of the estate was reported to vary between good and poor as at 24 December 1999, with high archaeological potential.

Settlement of areas of Gloucester and Manning districts and Peel River was initiated from this site by its occupants Robert Dawson, Sir Edward Parry and Colonel Dumaresq.

Documentation by occupants of the site including Robert Dawson and James Ebsworth of the Gringai people contributes to an understanding of a racial group that formerly inhabited the area.

The Estate has association with a number of prominent people who have contributed to Australian and NSW history including John Macarthur, Sir Edward Parry, Colonel Dumaresq, Phillip King, RHD White.

The marine focus of the site including the boat harbour and observatory reflects a way of life which depended upon sea transport.