Well, Bless My Bonnet!

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JANUARY 2017 | Heather Summers

HADSPEN’S ENTALLY House held a fundraising morning tea recently. The event included the ‘Roses From the Heart’ Memorial, a symbolic tribute of cloth bonnets commemorating the lives of female convicts.

The blessing of the bonnets was conducted by Reverend Jo Pyecroft of the Anglican Parish of Quamby.

Of significance to the occasion was a bonnet tribute in memory of Mary Reibey, created by relative Joyce Mackey, renowned lacemaker and Curator of Costumes at Narryna Heritage Museum. This beautiful lace bonnet will remain on permanent display at Entally House.

Mary Reibey was mother of Thomas Haydock Reibey who established Entally House in 1819. The historic homestead and its outbuildings, including the Chapel, were built by convict labour. Her grandson went on to become Premier of Tasmania later that century, indicating the new life that could be built by families of those who had been transported. Many of these opportunities would not have been available to them in their homeland.

It was through Joyce that Tasmanian artist Christina Henri initially gained access to the Museum’s Costume Collection, and first engaged with christening bonnets and later colonial bonnets. These inspired the choice of cloth bonnets as symbols of Australia’s female convicts and their children.

The bonnets have gone on to receive international recognition. Christina recently returned from Ireland, having exhibited the bonnets in county Derry. She will return in March to Dublin, hosting an event remembering the lives of women who spent time at Grangegorman Female Depot before being transported.

If you would like to know more about the ‘Roses From the Heart’ project, or contribute your bonnet-making skills, you can contact Christina through the Roses From the Heart page on Facebook.

Photo | Mike Moores