While in Tasmania, our tour and history lesson about one of the gaols (prison) was immensely sobering! For what we would consider small infractions today, a prisoner was sent by ship to Australia "to live out the rest of his natural life". The conditions were stunningly bleak and in the winter, exceedingly cold! Heather posed for us before she was shut into solitary confinement; how unbelievably dreadful that would have been! I know in another bin I have far more photos, but the cell keys and Ken and the girls on tour will suffice. I recall that David gave Ken a book to read after we had been there, and I think it may have been called, For the Rest of His Natural Life!
Besides the stunning history of the "convicts" sent to help build a new country, I remember our friends saying that not long before, no one wanted to admit to having a convict relative. In more recent years, they realized how unjust some of the sentences had been, and they began to proudly tell of the relatives who began their families in Australia!
This post happens to have landed here on Australia Day!
That would have been Port Arthur, where we had our last massacre. A young man walked into Port Arthur, fully armed, and opened fire. He killed 33 people. He is currently serving 33 life sentences back to back.
We, as Australians, handed in our guns and haven't had a massacre since. Our gun laws are very strict.
@pusspup Yes, it was Port Arthur, and "Miserable Place" describes it perfectly. It continued to feel like that even as we visited! It was your picture and mention of Australia Day that gave me the realization of the importance of the tie with my post here; thanks!
Unimaginable suffering both on the long journey to Australia and then imprisoned in this very bleak place. Very often for a minor “crime” . So sad to read about this but I am pleased people are now not ashamed of their heritage!
We, as Australians, handed in our guns and haven't had a massacre since. Our gun laws are very strict.