speeches

DATE 09/11/08

GEORGE TOWN AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY 6TH BIENNIAL CONFERENCE

SUNDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 2008

Thank you, Des. I would like to acknowledge Des as Chairman of the George Town and District Historical Society; Peter Cox, Events Manager and Secretary; the Executive and Members of the Society; Ladies and Gentleman and a particularly warm welcome to those who have travelled from interstate.

I acknowledge the fact that the club is very strong with over 70 members, including interstate membership.

Having perused the program, I certainly feel welcome and qualified to be here, as I noticed you will be discussing at length today settlers and convicts.My great grandfather and great grandmother both gained free passage to this beautiful island as convicts.

Firstly, I would like to congratulate the George Town and District Historical Society in fostering an interest and understanding of the history of the Tamar Valley region. The Society has been together for 11 years now and through monthly forums, excursions, displays and involvement with other groups has set about achieving their goals. In addition to this, the Society is involved in other pursuits, including supporting the Pilot Station Maritime Museum.

As you will all know, the theme of this conference is to look at the role women have played in the history of Northern Tasmania, and I understand there are a number of key speakers who will speak about some of those women at the conference today.

There are many important women in history. Too many to count. For many, many years women have left their mark on the world, at times changing the course of history and at other times influencing in small, but significant parts of life.

It is only in recent times that there has been a concerted effort made to represent women’s contributions more fully in history books. In our modern world today, women own property, can vote, and choose their own careers but this has not always been the case. And so, the accomplishments of women in history are sometimes obscured.

Some women’s accomplishments and contributions to the society in which they lived have endured throughout the ages. Many women overcame the hardships of their era through determination. Other women grew up in privileged surroundings and others were permitted an education in an era when females were rarely even taught to read.

So I am pleased to be here today and to listen to all the stories that will be told about women who are part of the history of the Tamar Valley. I know you will all enjoy hearing of their accomplishments and the obstacles they may have had to overcome to achieve their goals.

We must never overlook the contribution women made and continue to make in their role of mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend.

If we all reflected on history a little more, including politicians, we could draw on situations that have been dealt with before and learn from the experience of our predecessors. We are all part of history and we should be mindful of this in our day to day lives – that we are making history.

Again, I congratulate the organisers. Remember, we all contribute to our history. Thank you to everyone for coming today and I would now like to officially open the 6th Biennial Conference of the George Town and District Historical Society. May you all have an enjoyable day.