Thank you so much for that Kerri. I think this is the exhibition that is going to be in Qld and Tas later on. Is someone able to give me the dates please? Thank you Betty ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kerri Ferguson " <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 6:21 AM Subject: Re: [AUS-CON] Bonnets and Boats exhibition,Parramatta Artists Studios Gallery, 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta >I Listers, > > I had the incredible experience of viewing Christina Henri's exhibition a > Parramatta yesterday and have to say that I as completely overwhelmed. > There is something so awesome about seeing that sea of little bonnets > which > represents our forebears that I was unashamedly moved to tears. As you > move > along the rows reading the names and the ships and see the out-pouring of > love which is obvious in each bonnet, you cannot help but be deeply moved. > There were some familiar names there too- ones that I can remember coming > up > on this site over the years. There is a sense of being able to "touch" > history for a brief moment. If one has been researching for while there > is > a strange feeling of recognition too, when you see a name that has > appeared > on the pages of books and even on the internet and you find yourself > thinking think "hey, I know you!" > > It was beautifully presented and the video presentation which is running > at > the same time (quietly away so as not to disturb your viewing of the > bonnets) is very informative and very moving - especially the section > about > the children who have come to see the exhibition and the way in which they > become involved. I may sound like an "romantic idealist" but you can > "feel" > the love sewn into every stitch. > > I understand that one group of women even sewed bonnets for the women who > did not make it out here but who perished on the voyage. This is a real > joint effort by those of us left who understand the need to preserve our > heritage. > > I also had the very great pleasure of meeting Christina and chatting. I > was > disgusted and appalled when she told me that she has met a total brick > wall > when trying to get the media to take an interest in this exhibition. It > seems she had tried every outlet and TV show possible with no response. > > Is it any wonder our feeling of National pride is almost non-existent and > that our children are growing up knowing more about the history of other > countries than they do their own. This made me furious! > > I commend this exhibition to you - it is a time to quietly reflect on > those > who are responsible for some us even being here!!!! Chistina's quiet > countenance and her tenacity in putting this together deserves more > recognition. > > I understand that she has plans to take it to other regions so everyone > can > view it - I believe it may get to the Hunter region next year and she is > trying to get support from people who can help in this endeavour. The > exhibition will travel overseas and back to the UK, before it is > permanently > housed here in Australia. > > I was left with deep gratitude for my convict beginnings and all those > poor > wretched women who made that trip under those unimaginable conditions. > But > I was also left with a deep anger at the authorities and the media who > seem > more intent on seeing that we understand everyone else's culture whilst > preventing us from appreciating our own. > > Come on Listers, get down there to Parramatta if you can (there's lots of > history around the area to enjoy and make a day of it) and PLEASE support > this exhibition and support what this fine lady is doing something almost > single-handedly to make us aware of our history. > > Well worth the effort! > > By the way, the bonnets are EASY, EASY, EASY to make and there is a > pattern > available. If you haven't a convict ancestor ask for a name and a story > and > you will be provided with one. Even a poor sewer could knock one out in a > couple of hours. Some of the women don't have any descendants so it might > be > great to do something for one of those girls! I believe there are already > over 11,000 bonnets!!!!!!! But Christina was saying that she was not yet > half-way. > > Come on Lister - please let's show pride in our heritage. > > Kerri > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Karen seckold > Sent: Thursday, 18 September 2008 6:02 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [AUS-CON] Bonnets and Boats exhibition, Parramatta Artists > Studios Gallery, 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta > > Hello karen, > Did anyone answer you? If not this might help. Christina Henri from > Tasmania, is trying to get a convict Bonnet made for each of the women > convicts sent out. she has lists. You could contact her and see if one > has been made for your convicts. > > Karen s > Hoppers Crossing. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.7.0/1679 - Release Date: 9/18/2008 5:03 PM