Hi Kerri Do you know when the exhibition is coming to the UK and where it is being exhibited in the UK? I sympathise with your feelings about Australia's children growing up knowing more about the history of other countries than they do their own. I am a Scot and when I left school I knew far more about English history than I did about Scottish history. I didn't really think about it at the time, but years later I get really angry that I left school knowing so little about my own country's past. Rhoda ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kerri Ferguson " <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 9:21 PM 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 >

Hi Rhoda, if you email Christina she will be happy to let you know where and when. Cheers Karen -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of CandROverson Sent: Friday, 19 September 2008 7:16 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [AUS-CON] Bonnets and Boats exhibition,Parramatta Artists Studios Gallery, 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta Hi Kerri Do you know when the exhibition is coming to the UK and where it is being exhibited in the UK? I sympathise with your feelings about Australia's children growing up knowing more about the history of other countries than they do their own. I am a Scot and when I left school I knew far more about English history than I did about Scottish history. I didn't really think about it at the time, but years later I get really angry that I left school knowing so little about my own country's past. Rhoda ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kerri Ferguson " <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 9:21 PM 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 > ------------------------------- 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

Hi again Rhoda....... hope your weather is improved. We are enjoying Spring in Sydney and it's been GORGEOUS! Now I have a little more information on Christina Henri (pronounced 'on-re') and her intentions for her exhibition. Please note that none of this is confirmed as yet - it is the "plan" at the moment. Next year, Christina is hoping to take the bonnets to the Hunter Region of NSW next year. Christina says she is planning on "taking the girls back home to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales in 2010" In 2011, she hopes to get the exhibition to Canada, USA and New Zealand. I don't know if that is any help to you but it is the best I can do at the moment. As soon as I hear anything "firm" I will definitely post it on this site. I hope the ancestors of the convict women who reside in the UK today are embracing this project as are the Australian ancestors. These "girls" belong to all of us. It was often just a twist of fate that we ended up where we did! Wouldn't it be thrilling for you all to send off a bonnet and be able to see it return "home" before coming back to Australia to settle! I think the women would have liked the thought of that ............ just one more look at their homeland! Kerri ----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of CandROverson Sent: Friday, 19 September 2008 7:16 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [AUS-CON] Bonnets and Boats exhibition, Parramatta Artists Studios Gallery, 45 Hunter Street, Parramatta Hi Kerri Do you know when the exhibition is coming to the UK and where it is being exhibited in the UK? I sympathise with your feelings about Australia's children growing up knowing more about the history of other countries than they do their own. I am a Scot and when I left school I knew far more about English history than I did about Scottish history. I didn't really think about it at the time, but years later I get really angry that I left school knowing so little about my own country's past. Rhoda ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kerri Ferguson " <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 9:21 PM 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 > ------------------------------- 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