A Parcel of gold for Edith

For our October gathering Jo Smith came to tell us about life in the goldfields of Australia. He told the story through a collection of seven letters that his family had found in a secret compartment of a family dresser. These letters were from a Great Aunt who had emigrated to Australia from Portsmouth in about 1850. The only facts available were those gleaned from the letters which had been written at fairly large intervals throughout her life. She had travelled alone and arrived to a very basic existence - not entirely what she had been led to expect. She must have been a very resilient woman because later letters mentioned that she had 14 children, although only two survived to adulthood, a sad reflection of the levels of hardship. Somehow she became a successful business woman with shares in the gold mine industry and some significant wealth. This was reflected in the mention of a gold block that she had sent back to England. Jo was sad to report that despite their best efforts the family have found no evidence of a gold block.

This was an interesting evening which left members wanting to know more about the history of the Australian Relocations and the way of life that these brave travellers had. Fiona and Caroline provided some delicious refreshments before the raffle and flower of the month.