I have adored the exquisite collection of shells that my mother inherited from her grandfather's estate, when she was thirteen years old.

As the new custodian of this unique treasure, I undertook the task of moving the collection from Tasmania to my new home on the Sunshine Coast. The resulting near-disaster turned out to be a blessing, as I discovered the pages of letters and newspapers hidden beneath the collection contained fascinating stories, and a history that was also my own.

The documents captivated me and transported me back in time to the colonial era. The collection was started by the Reverend Joshua Tinson, an English Baptist missionary, who lived in Jamaica between 1822 and 1850. Following his death, his wife and daughter, Eliza, followed the path of my ancestors, and sailed across vast oceans to settle in Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land.

Eliza Tinson gave her fathers collection to my great grandfather, Ernest Henry Pretyman, who was also an avid shell collector.

'Sharing Joy's Treasures' will take you on a wonderful journey through the history of this amazing collection.