Captain James Cook described Norfolk Island as “paradise”. From 1788 to 1854, this paradise became a harsh penal colony and home to hapless convicts. Today, it is home to the descendants of the Bounty Mutineers whose warmth and hospitality have been woven into the island’s unique and timeless rhythm. How is historic Norfolk Island and its inhabitants dealing with life in the 21st Century?
Gillian joined the Australian National Maritime Museum as a volunteer guide in 2008 when she retired from a successful sales career in the commercial building industry and has been a member of the Museum’s Speakers since 2014. Gillian comes from a family with a merchant and Royal Australian Navies history. She has a special interest in the loss with all hands of HMAS Sydney (II) in November 1941 after a battle with a German raider. For several years she volunteered her time to search genealogical databases for living relatives of Sydney crew to be DNA tested to assist in identifying the unknown serviceman (the body of a crew member found in a raft 2 months after Sydney was sunk). Gillian recently completed a 9-year volunteer project obtaining permission and funding for a grave monument to a Polish-Australian pilot and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross during the Battle of Britain who was in an unmarked grave in Sydney for over 70 years. She is also interested in WW1 history, particularly the Western front theatre of war and is a passionate traveller having visited over 120 countries so far.
Liverpool City Library
Thursday 4th April
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
No bookings are needed, tea and cuppa are provided.
This event is delivered in partnership with Liverpool U3A.
