Did you see the Advertiser article about Rove McManus being a descendant of Mary and Robert Thomas, our subject for week two of the SA Pioneers series?

Catherine Helen Spence on Australia’s 2001 Federation five dollar note

This week we hear the story of Catherine Helen Spence. Born in Scotland , she arrived in Adelaide with her family in 1839. Having decided as a young child she wanted to become a teacher and author she went on to accomplish that and much more.

In a quote from her autobiography, she says, “I have always held that, though the Pilgrim Fathers ignored the right of the Pilgrim Mothers to the credit of founding the American States – although these women had to take their full share of the toils and hardships and perils of pioneer and frontier life, and had in addition to put up with the Pilgrim Fathers themselves – Australian colonisation was carried out by men who were conscious of the service of their helpmates, and grateful for it.”

Join us this Thursday 23rd at 10.15am for more illustrated background on this formidable woman from Peter Brinkworth.

Cost $5. Enquiries to Anne Grear 8278 1178.

Handouts are available on the office shelf or please click this link to learn more about our Continuing Learning Program.