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Since
historians first began to mine the records of the 160,000 men, women
and children who were transported to the Australian colonies, the
mention of prostitution has titillated researchers and the general
public. Their story, and their historically nuanced reputations, will be
discussed by Dr Chris Leppard at the next Port Arthur Talk, in an
address entitled ‘The Unfortunates’ : Prostitutes transported to Van
Diemen’s Land.
Highly visible and public, unlike the pickpocket, smuggler,
extortionist or forger, each of whom strove to be invisible, the
prostitute relied on her visibility to earn a living. Unlike her
secretive companions the prostitute’s activity was not illegal, yet her
visibility made her a convenient scapegoat for many of the fears and
failings of contemporary society.
In the 1970s the female convict was reinvented as a hardworking
family maker and the label of ‘prostitute’ was reserved for a few
marginalized, debauched incorrigibles. That attempt to exonerate the
reputation of the majority, firmly positioned the prostitute as an
outcast.
The label of ‘prostitute’ on the convict records has been accepted
as a sign of immorality or ‘badness’. Women were questioned about
prostitution, as their replies were recorded but historians have failed
to ask, ‘Why was the question posed, and why was their affirmation
recorded?’ From their arrest in Britain until their freedom in Van
Diemen's Land the label remained fixed on some women’s records. To what
use was that information put, and how significant was it in
determining outcomes for the women?
Chris Leppard recently completed her PhD at the University of
Tasmania. She was involved in the 2007 archaeological dig at the Ross
Female Factory and has worked as a guide at Port Arthur. She is
currently employed as a history researcher at the University of
Tasmania.
Chris' talk will be given on Thursday 29 August, 2013 at 5.30 p.m. at
the Port Arthur Historic Site in the Junior Medical Officer's
Conference Room - all welcome.
For more on the Port Arthur Talks program visit www.portarthur.org.au/patalks |