THE CONVICT BONNET PROJECT

Over a decade ago Gnowangerup women Barb Garnett, Edna Hogan and Gwenda Wellstead were involved in an interesting project as reported in the ‘Gnowangerup Roundup’

"NOTORIOUS TRUMPETS AND DANGEROUS GIRLS" is the title of a book by Phillip Tardif which has inspired some local ladies to make 'convict' bonnets.

Tasmanian artist Christina Henri set a goal of 25,000 bonnets to honour the convict women who were an integral part of the European settlement in Australia. "It pays tribute to the women's resilience and the economic and social contribution to the nation we enjoy today." she said. Women from all over the world have been asked to be part of the project.

Convict women were not transported to Western Australia. The first shipment of convict women to Tasmania arrived in 1828, one year before the free colony of Western Australia was settled in 1829. Other convict women were sent to Sydney. The West Australian Government accepted consignments of male convict labour in 1850, to help develop the state.

Considering there were no female convicts assigned to work in Western Australia, there is a substantial number of descendants of convict women who call the West home. A number of these are involved in making bonnets.

Jill Cartwright contacted Barb Garnett with the bonnet designs and background information on five female convicts. Jill said, "It is also the story of women today, linked back through time to the founding mothers – still making life possible". Barb is currently working on the project along with Edna Hogan and Gwenda Wellstead.

One of the women Barb is making a bonnet for is Eliza Chambers, alias Susan Carter, convicted at London Gaol Delivery on 13th January 1819 of larceny, to serve 7 years. She was 32, a trade servant, 4 feet, 11 inches tall, with brown eyes and brown hair. She arrived in Sydney on the Princess Charlotte in September 1820.

Her experiences include various assignments, drunkenness and disobedience, absences (punishment was bread and water for one week in gaol), and finally on 7th January 1826 was freed.

Christina Henri has well over 15,000 bonnets

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2023