100 years of WA grain history celebrated in new book
The Fourth Quarter: The Grain Journey Continues by Peter E Ramshaw and Dr Katja Lee is the sequel to the popular The Grain Journey by Michael Zekulich.
A scanned reproduction of The Grain Journey, which documents the first 75 years of history of the The Grain Pool of Western Australia, is also included in the new book.
CBH Chief Marketing and Trading Officer Jason Craig said the book captures the long and proud history of grain marketing in Western Australia.
“This book captures and preserves the incredibly rich legacy of what is now CBH Marketing and Trading,” Mr Craig said.
“It is a story that needs to be told – to celebrate the people who got us here, and to fully appreciate how we came to be Australia’s largest grain exporter.
“The book rides the many triumphs and tribulations of the organisation and the WA Grain Industry, capturing the evolution of CBH Marketing and Trading over 100 years.
“It is an honour and a privilege to be part of it.”
Peter Ramshaw was commissioned by CBH to write the most recent 25 years of history.
“As the book grew, so did my appreciation for the imagination, tenacity and foresight of everyone who has worked for The Grain Pool and CBH Marketing and Trading over the years,” Mr Ramshaw said.
“It has morphed into an amazing story of success and forward thinking and celebrates how central this organisation is to WA agriculture.”
Dr Katja Lee was tasked with researching the book.
“I spent much of my time immersed in library archives – it was an exciting and absorbing treasure hunt,” Dr Lee said.
“The debates, tragedies, personalities, weather patterns and even pests were the traces of a vibrant past.”
Robert Sewell, former Director and Chair of The Grain Pool of Western Australia and CBH (1978 – 2005), said the book would be an important reference tool for many years to come.
“So often people wish they had recorded the history of their organisation. Well, we can hold our head up high because the WA grain industry has done it,” Mr Sewell said.
The Fourth Quarter: The Grain Journey Continues will be available at CBH events throughout the year, including the CBH AGM and Member Forum at Optus Stadium on 17 February 2023 and the CBH Regional Member Forums in August.
- Download the e-book here.
- For more information or to request a hard copy, please email corporateaffairs@cbh.com.au