Here are the pics of my convict bonnet.
Saturday afternoon my neighbour attended the bonnet blessing ceremony which was held at a church at Port Melbourne. She said it was a really moving ceremony that gave her even more information about the circumstances under which her ancestor was sent. Her ancestor was Irish and at the time there were many Irish that had fled to England because of the potato famine in Ireland. The English didn't want them there especially them being catholic. Most of the Irish convicts that were transported were charged with stealing items of clothing which was considered more serious than stealing food. This earnt them their ticket to Van Diemen's Land.
Apparently they need many more bonnets to be made so that each female convict will be represented by a bonnet. If anyone is interested the links below shows the ceremony and some additional information about the artist, Christina Henri that is organising this exhibition. http://home.vicnet.net.au/~mgfhs/convictbonnets.htm
cheers for now
Marina
