The Primary School on the beautiful island of Bruny (named after the French explorer Bruny D’Entrecasteaux) lays claim to being Australia’s southernmost school. They may not know it (they seemed far too modest) but in our opinion it can also claim to having some wonderful, intelligent and enthusiastic pupils.

‘Louisa’s Walk’ has developed a Primary School version of their award-winning convict drama and many who have experienced it say it is a great, innovative way to teach history. The students really live Louisa’s story and become part of the action which makes it so memorable they learn by osmosis.

On the fine March day when the Bruny Island School walked in Louisa’s shoes, they were visiting from their island home to participate in a swimming carnival in Hobart. As their coach pulled up and the students tumbled out it was gratifying to see that many had made the effort to dress up in period clothes to help create the 19th century atmosphere. From the very start, as Louisa introduced herself and her story, it was obvious this was going to be an engaged (and engaging) group. The Grade teachers had done the preparation and the students were well up on their convict history. Hands went shooting up when Louisa asked how long the average journey from England to Van Diemens Land would take. With four grades represented it was easy to allocate the four tasks for the transportation ship “The Rajah”: Grade Three was the ‘Wind’, Grade Four, ‘Patchworkers’, Grade Five, ‘Ropes’ and Grade Six, ‘Anchor Party’. ‘The Rajah’ was away on another voyage of discovery as she disembarked her passengers on Hobart wharf and they began their long walk up to the Female Factory (you are asked to bring bucket loads of imagination on Louisa’s Walk!)

Once between the grim walls of the Female Factory students learn of the yards that separate the large Yard One. They line up to be selected as a servant to go out as an assigned servant, they attend the Sunday Muster in fear and trembling lest it is their crime that will send them to the crime Yard (don’t worry it’s always Louisa!). The usual hush descends as Louisa’s story reaches its sad end BUT it is then that the Bruny Island students really show us their mettle! It is question time and Louisa and William have come out of character and introduced themselves properly to the audience of students and staff. “Any questions?” Chris asks. Hands are raised thicker than the hairs on a cat’s back as these lively and enquiring minds pick our brains for answers to the questions that the experience has stimulated. Some questions so deep and insightful that it gave us food for thought. Eventually staff had to call a halt because it was lunchtime!

Thanks Bruny Island for a wonderful visit.

(posted by Judith). We are often asked at Louisa’s Walk “What happens if it rains?”. Well, Hobart is the second driest capital city in Australia so, it’s not too much of a problem BUT…….Last Saturday we set off on the afternoon show with grey skies promising at least a shower. Louisa duly handed out the large umbrellas stored, for just such an eventuality, in the boot of our “horseless carriage” and off we went. We got through most of the performance only slightly damp until it was time for the “time warp” back into the 21st century when the heavens opened. Chris in one of his many alter egos gathered everyone together and we herded the group back up to the top of the Cascades. Most of the story had been told in any case. Two teenagers who had refused umbrellas were more than a little damp with black make up running - we all had a good laugh (including them)! In this soggy, but merry, mood we continued back up through the beautiful Cascade Gardens. Now, just in case any of us were tempted to feel just a little sorry for ourselves (Louisa and William who, as the actors, can’t use umbrellas?) there we were met with a sorry sight: a wedding party! The picturesque gardens are a popular venue for weddings and, on a sunny Tasmanian day I can think of nowhere lovelier but ……….The guests were huddled without umbrellas, men with white shirts sticking to their chests, women in skimpy dresses, high heels sinking into the sodden grass. On the way back down the Cascade road we passed the bridal party in their beribboned car. What is it they say about there always being somebody worse off than you? Let’s hope the reception went off really well and that it was somewhere warm and dry!

If you are one of the many who are fascinated by the traditional craft of patchwork then the story of the Rajah Quilt told on Louisa’s Walk will have great appeal. Convict women travelling out to Van Diemens Land were supplied with two pound bags of patchwork pieces to give them something to do on the long voyage. It also taught those without any sewing skills, a valuable craft useful for future employment and, as Louisa would tell you, the BEST bit is they were allowed to keep whatever they made! On board The Rajah, leaving London in 1841, there were a number of convict women who were skilled in needlework and under the tutelage of a free settler named Kezia Hayter they pooled all their pieces to make a fantastic quilt which later became known as The Rajah Quilt. The idea behind this beautiful presentation quilt, consisting of over three thousand pieces, was as a thank you to Elizabeth Fry, the benefactor behind the quilting pieces. Fortunately the women had the foresight to embroider onto the quilt an inscription for posterity telling who made the quilt, where and when and for whom it was destined. On arrival in Hobart Town the quilt was duly dispatched back to England to be given to Elizabeth Fry. She died some four years later. Her Great (x4) Grand-daughter is now living in Tasmania and she joined us on Louisa’s Walk a few days ago!
The quilt disappeared for decades but was re-discovered just over twenty years ago in Scotland. Thanks to the inscription the finder realised its historical importance and it has now been returned to Australia to our National Gallery In Canberra. It is said that tiny pinpricks of blood can be seen on the reverse where the women pricked their fingers with the motion of the ship!
The Rajah Quilt is just one of the many fascinating stories that you will hear on Louisa’s Walk. Perhaps, when you come you may be the one selected to teach Louisa patchwork?

The United Kingdom has been really well represented on Louisa’s Walk in the past week; we had a Scotswoman and an Irish woman in one show and in the afternoon two Welshmen and two English (cue for a bad joke?). Having an Irishwoman present is always a bit taxing on Louisa with her assumed Irish accent. I am the actor who plays her and it reminds me of the first time we presented Louisa’s Walk some two and a half years ago. A group of supportive friends were present for our “test run” and -yes- two paying audience members -who turned out to be Irish (with a name like O’Reilly how could it be otherwise?). Was I nervous or what? Bad enough that it was a first performance but with two genuine Irish sisters to critique the accent!
We survived though and came through with flying colours, Irish accent relatively intact.Now, when partner Chris and I come out of character at the end of the show and assume our everyday voices most people are surprised that I’m not really Irish.
Today we had four Welsh people who came off the cruise ship “Sapphire Princess” which is visiting Hobart, these, plus another two from Sydney made a great group travelling on the tall ship “Rajah”, helping Louisa make her patchwork quilt (well done Tom!) and finally arriving at the grim gates of the Female Factory where the fun and laughter changed to a much more sombre mood. Louisa’s story worked its usual magic and had the group enthralled until that last moving moment when she transports everyone back to the 21st century - we all wiped our tears and prepared for the denouement, the ending but, is it happy or not? I cannot give away all the secrets of Louisa’s Walk that would spoil it for when you come!
Incidentally everyone, the old coin or belt buckle that Louisa found turned out to be an old sisalation fastener. Well it sure had us fooled - perhaps we’ve all been watching too much Time Team?