News

We are delighted to announce the launch of Ian McConachie AM’s highly anticipated book: ‘The Macadamia - Australia’s Gift To The World’.

This is a story, never before recorded, by a pioneer and leader of the Australian macadamia industry, who has dedicated much of his life to the development of our industry and to protecting the unique Australian species upon which it’s based.

Officially launched by Ian at AusMac2024 on the Gold Coast last week, the 324-page full colour book draws on a wealth of material collected by him over decades to tell the story of the macadamia nut and the industry it supports.

This book is an absolute must read! Many AusMac attendees were lucky enough to snag a copy and have it signed by the legend himself last week. If you weren’t one of those lucky ones, you can find the book on sale online here and at the bookstores listed below.

Ian has donated the book and all proceeds from its sale to protect macadamias and their rainforest habitat.

Congratulations Ian on the launch of this brilliant industry resource, you really are a macadamia legend!

About the book

In the Prologue, Ian explains his enthusiasm for this Australian icon and expresses his devotion to the macadamia industry. From boyhood, he studied the botany, distribution and history of the macadamia species, and he still finds joy in learning about them.
After describing the habitat and botanical classification of macadamias, Ian considers how the nuts were used by Australian Aboriginal People. He traces the discoveries of early Euro­pean explorers and botanists, and the experiences of pioneering farmers and marketers in the nineteenth century. He describes the expansion of plantings in the twentieth century, from the struggles of the early commercial years to the post-World War II investments of farmers, factory owners and marketers. He considers the contributions of CSR and the Aus­tralian Macadamia Society to the development of the modern industry.

By guiding the reader along the short and sometimes rocky road to commercialisation in Australia and overseas, Ian draws insights for the future success of the macadamia industry.

‘This is a story with it all: heroes, villains, wrong turns and lost ways, new inventions, David and Goliath battles over international trade, and colourful characters – some with a utopian vision, others perhaps driven by the dream of a quick profit.’

About the author

Ian McConachie AM grew up in macadamia country, cracking nuts from single trees in Brisbane backyards. With an eclectic mix of qualifications and experience in industrial chemistry, food technology and business management, he embarked on a career at the right time to play a leading role in the emerging macadamia industry.

For over fifty years, Ian has worked on the science-based growing, processing, quality control and promoting of macadamias in Australia and across the world. He recently released a successful new macadamia variety to the industry MCT1.

Realising how few wild macadamias are left, he lobbied to protect the remaining wild macadamia and their habitat, setting up the Macadamia Conservation Trust. He was instrumental in getting the very rare Macadamia jansenii described as a new species.

In 2006, Ian became a Member of the Order of Australia for services to the macadamia industry. Retirement has not diminished his enthusiasm for Australia’s rainforest nut and this book is the result of an early decision to make his work his hobby. He lives with his wife Janet, still on macadamia country, pursuing his passion for macadamias. 

Book stores

Abbey's Bookshop, Sydney
Book Warehouse Lismore
Book Warehouse Ballina
Miles and Henry Bookstore Alstonville
Nutworks, Yandina
Dymocks 234 Collins St, Melbourne
Dymocks Adelaide
Dymocks Brisbane
Dymocks Bundaberg
Dymocks Canberra
Dymocks Chatswood
Dymocks Garden City WA
Dymocks George St, Sydney
Dymocks Hay Street, Perth
Dymocks Hobart
Dymocks Midland Gate, WA
Dymocks Parramatta
Dymocks Subiaco
Dymocks Tooronga
Dymocks Warringah Mall
Dymocks Waurn Ponds
Dymocks Wollongong