Dear Monthly Activists

This month we will visit the Female Factory in Parramatta

Parramatta Female Factory Institutions Precinct offers a unique insight into Australia’s past. Its historic institutions include the Parramatta Female Factory, Parramatta Lunatic Asylum, Roman Catholic Orphan School, Parramatta Girls Home, Kamballa & Taldree Children’s Shelter and the Norma Parker Detention Centre for women.

Australia’s first purpose-built institution for convict women, the Parramatta Female Factory, was a secure place of confinement, industry and punishment modelled on the Workhouses and Bridewells of England. Convict women were viewed as ‘beyond redemption’ yet this is not reflected in the crimes for which they were transported with 65.3% having no prior convictions. The types of crimes punishable by transportation varied between England, Scotland and Ireland. Theft predominated among the English and Scottish convicts, whereas riot and sedition predominated among the Irish. While the English were more concerned with crimes protecting property and existing social order, the Calvinistic Scots had severer sanctions for religious violations such as adultery, immorality, breaking the Sabbath and denial of the existence of God. Most were transported for 7 years, lesser numbers for 14 years or life and usually after 2 or 3 years good behaviour, were given a Ticket of Leave.

DATE: Thursday 22 February 2024

TIME: 10.30am – 12.00pm There is a café on site if you would like to stay afterwards for lunch/coffee.

VENUE: 5 Fleet Street, North Parramatta (in the Cumberland Hospital site)

Meeting at the low white Female Factory wall

COST: $10.00

RSVP TO: [email protected] .
Please add your phone number and the name of the outing: Parramatta Female Factory to
Caren Trafford, Monthly Activity Organiser

RSVP BY: Thursday 15 February 2024 to Caren Trafford

TRANSPORT: There is no parking on site – please park in Fleet Street.

• In places the ground is uneven so closed-in walking shoes must be worn.
• There are toilet facilities open at the café on the site.
• In hot weather please wear a hat, sunscreen and bring water, inclement weather please bring an umbrella.

All guides are volunteers.  All money goes towards the fight to keep these buildings for all Australians.

Travelling by Train

• Exit left at the barrier/southern side of Parramatta Station (Westfield side) – walk north and under railway bridge into Church Street, past St. John’s Church – turn right – shuttle bus stop in George Street.
• Shuttle bus every 15 minutes – travels along O’Connell Street – past Parramatta Park.
• Alight at the Parramatta Leagues Club stop – walk North along O’Connell Street to Fennel Street and turn left
• Walk down to Fleet Street – enter at No. 5 Fleet Street (Cumberland Hospital site). The first 2 gates are the Roman Catholic Orphanage site.