In past years many readers who have had a family member may have gone to great pains to deny what was then considered a “skeleton in the cupboard”, the stain of a convict ancestor, how times have changed. Better research facilities, and acceptance of the truth and a knowledge of society in late Georgian times, have given us the real story of how those convicts helped make the Australia of today. Our district and surrounding areas has much evidence of those times. There are world heritage constructions, but there are also people descended from those convicts who worked and prospered.
Our April meeting has been cancelled however it is our hope that our guest speaker Jo Hambrett will return at a future date to speak on the topic, “My Family & Other Convicts … friendship, marriages, adventures, trials and tribulations”. Jo enjoys picking through the rich seams of her Family History convict ancestors, uncovering connections back to the First Fleet and revealing names well known to our area such as Best, Hughes, Small and Parker.
The Society library has ample reference material and is an excellent place for those who would like to follow Jo’s example. Society members are also there to assist.
The tour of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society, Aviation Museum in Albion Park on the 17th March was a revelation to members. This museum is a national treasure, holding unique aircraft, all with connections to Australia’s aviation history. It is open daily and is thoroughly recommended.
A recent research request about Foster’s Waterhole brought to light some early photographs. As this was such an important spot for many readers, there must be many more stories and photographs to see. If any reader can make these available for scanning, it would be appreciated.
