The Veness Family History

So, after 23 years, I left my position as carpenter with the Public Works Dept. We eventually bought a property at Mt White, some 35 miles (56 km) north of Sydney, on what is called the Central Coast of New South Wales. Although run down and requiring much work to restore the house to meet our standards, and clear and restore the orchard to a viable proposition, it was a magnificent place, situated at the base of Mt White itself. From the top of the edge of the property you could see for miles up the Hawkesbury Valley. We cleared more land, planted more trees, built a large dam, as well as putting down a bore. To finance all this development we grew “cash crops”, primarily, tomatoes. At one stage we had in 15,000 tomato vines spread across the summer season. Overlooking part of the orchard at Mt White, showing the house and sheds surrounded by citrus trees of all ages, and the dam at the far top left. The life was very full, requiring 7 days a week to keep up with all that had to be done. After six years we decided it was time to sell out. We sold quickly for a good price. The decision proved correct, as no sooner had we signed the papers, than the country’s economy crashed, and with it values. At this time we also had my son, Kevin, and his two children living with us after the collapse of his marriage. We had all bought caravans, and both Stuart and Kevin had decided to head west to Western Australia, where they felt there was a better future for there children. 20 | P a g e