Female Factory lives to be recalled on playing cards

Contributors to the publication (l to r) Dr Dianne Snowden, Collette McAlpine, Dr Jody Steele, Simon Barnard, Dr Alison Alexander, Susan Hood, Professor Lucy Frost.

The little-known stories of Tasmania’s convict women are being recalled from the past in a new publication launched today at 1.30pm at the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site, 16 Degraves Street, South Hobart.

Pack of Thieves? 52 Female Factory Lives comprises a pack of playing cards providing a visual interpretation of 52 women and staff who were incarcerated or worked at the Cascades Female Factory, with an accompanying book recounting their life stories.

The publication is being (was) launched by historian Dr Dianne Snowden, Chair of the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site Community Consultative Committee and Chair of the Tasmanian Heritage Council.

Other contributors present, included Dr Alison Alexander, Professor Lucy Frost as well as staff from the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority which is publishing the book and cards, and which manages the Cascades Female Factory.
Andrew Ross Marketing Manager Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority