Written and recorded by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Community. Cascades Female Factory is located on the traditional homelands of the muwinina people. We acknowledge the muwinina people, the traditional owners of the Land upon which we work, and we pay our respect to Aboriginal Elders; past and present. We respect all Tasmanian Aboriginal people, their culture and their rights as the first peoples of lutruwita. We recognise and value Aboriginal histories, knowledge and lived experiences and commit to being culturally inclusive and respectful in our working relationships with all Aboriginal people. We recommend listening to this chapter in the Visitor Centre (stop 1).
Chapter 2: Introduction
A brief introduction to the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site Audio Tour. We recommend you listen to this chapter outside the Visitor Centre, on your way to Yard One (stop 2).
Chapter 3: Yard One
A brief introduction to the Cascades Female Factory Historic Site Audio Tour. We recommend you listen to this chapter outside the Visitor Centre, on your way to Yard One (stop 2).
Chapter 4: Arrival
After months at sea, women convicts entered through these gates to begin their sentence at the Female Factory. We recommend you listen to this chapter at the original entrance to the Factory (stop 4).
Chapter 5: Assignment System
Convict women were set to work in homes and farms as part of the Assignment System. We recommend you listen to this chapter by the First Class Yard (stop 5).
Chapter 6: The Superintendent and the Matron
A husband and wife team, the Superintendent and Matron were in charge of the day-to-day running of the Factory and lived on-site with their large family.
Content warning: This chapter discusses infant mortality. We recommend you listen to this chapter upstairs in the Superintendent’s Apartment (stop 6).
Chapter 7: The Third Class Yard
Third Class was also known as Crime Class – this was the Yard for the worst-behaved convicts, where punishments and conditions were harsh. We recommend you listen to this chapter in the Third Class Yard (stop 7).
Chapter 8: Yard One Nursery
Content warning: This chapter discusses infant mortality.
Some women brought their children with them on the journey from Britain; some became pregnant whilst serving their sentence. This was the original Nursery Yard for mothers and children. We recommend you listen to this chapter from the location of the first Nursery (stop 8).
Chapter 9: The Chapel and the Flash Mob
The Christian religion played a big role in the daily lives of convict women. However, Senior Chaplain, Reverend William Bedford, wasn’t the most popular person at the Factory … We recommend you listen to this chapter from the location of the chapel (stop 9).
Chapter 10: Trukanini
Written and presented by Zoe Rimmer, who shares the important story of Trukanini and why she is honoured here. We recommend you listen to this chapter at Trukanini’s tree (stop 10).
Chapter 11: Yard Two
Sadly, no physical evidence of Yard Two remains above ground but it once stood on the other side of Yard One. Find out what was once here… We recommend you listen to this chapter at the far wall in Yard One (stop 11).
Chapter 12: Probation System
The Probation System replaced the Assignment System in the 1840s. This was a new way to manage, punish and reform convicts. We recommend you listen to this chapter as you walk through the exercise yard (stop 12).
Chapter 13: Yard Three – The Separate Apartments
The building of Separate Apartments helped enforce a strict regime of silence and separation. We recommend you listen to this chapter at the Separate Apartments (stop 13).
Chapter 14: Yard Three – Staff
Yard Three included rooms for the many free people who worked, and sometimes lived, at the Factory. We recommend you listen to this chapter in Yard Three (stop 14).
Chapter 15: Yard Four – Nursery
Content warning: This chapter discusses infant mortality.
In 1850, a new yard dedicated to the Nursery opened. Despite the new facilities, conditions were still inadequate for the health and care of mothers and babies. We recommend you listen to this chapter while walking through Yard 4 (stop 15).
Chapter 16: Mothers and Children
Content warning: This chapter discusses infant mortality.
Convict women who gave birth here, in the Yard Four factory nursery, were subjected to new, harsh regulations. We recommend you listen to this chapter by the wall of Baby Names, a memorial to the infants born at the Factory, in Yard 4 (stop 16).
This memorial was researched and developed by tour guide, Shelly Kube.
Chapter 17: The Matron’s Quarters
The Matron’s Quarters is the only original building remaining on the historic site. We recommend you listen to this chapter by the Matron’s verandah (stop 17).
Chapter 18: Yard Five
Yard Five no longer exists. It was built on the other side of Yard 2. It was the most modern of all the Yards. We recommend you listen to this chapter from the gates in Yard 4 (stop 18).
Chapter 19: The Final Years
With convict transportation to Van Diemen’s Land coming to an end, there was no longer any need for this establishment. So what happened next? We recommend you listen to this chapter as you wander back through to Yard 3 (stop 19).
Chapter 20: Reflection
Cascades Female Factory Historic Site bears witness to the displacement, oppression and control of women in lutruwita / Tasmania. We honour their pain and loss, their courage and perseverance. We recommend you listen to this chapter by the ‘From the Shadows’ statue in Yard Three (stop 20).
