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.

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