A HARSH LIFE: At the back is Emily Dean; sitting from left Hannah and Isabelle Dean and Sophie Chapman representing the children who were left behind in 1838. lm080312famhist
THE Lithgow Learning Centre (library) was a popular spot on Thursday when the exhibition of 151 colonial bonnets was launched.
Cr Howard Fisher did the official proceedings in front of an audience of more than 50 people who had gathered to find out why so many bonnets had been sewn and displayed.
They listened intently to the story of the vessel, Atwick, which set sail with 151 convict women and headed for Van Diemen’s Land.
The bonnets, along with a wall hanging in memory of the children belonging to the convict women, will be on display for a month.
The bonnets have been made by members of the Lithgow and District Family History Society as well as many community members.
Once the display closes the bonnets will be sent to Launceston in Tasmania to eventually go on permanent display at the infamous Convict Factory.
Watch these pages to read how this project came about when the story will be published in a later edition of the Lithgow Mercury.