Introduction The De Bortolis Family Jeane Upjohn

Jeane Upjohn

We stayed and over the next few days the story of this amazing lady unfolded and of course were recorded. Author, historian, journalist, poet and raconteur Jeane was born in Tasmania, the daughter of a well travelled civil engineer. She joined the Airforce during World War Two and went on to obtain her pilot's licence and become one of Australia's first air hostesses. Jeane also became a mature age student at New England University gaining several degrees.

Life has not always been easy for this lady and several major setbacks have been encountered and overcome with her zest to get on with things.

During her journalistic career Jeane was based on her own yacht and wrote for several nautical magazines and is still composing poems and writing children's novels with nautical themes. Historical works on the tobacco industry, rabbits and the New England area have already been written and stories of soldier settlers and shearers are in her mind. These works are based on stories told by the people involved and Jeane has the ability to draw tales from life and put them in print.

A memorable night was held at the Yellow Rose with John Harpley and I playing and singing and Jeane joining in with poetry, music and song. The added bonus was that we were enjoying ourselves whilst a portrait of historian and academic Russel Ward looked on. Russel was Jeane's partner for the last years of his life and lived in this house. I am sure he was present and enjoying the music.

We hope that Jeane Upjohn can also join us at next years National Folk Festival. She is an amazing lady.