Captivity Narratives

‘Captivity Narratives’ examines the origins of white Australia in the founding of a convict colony. We ask if this new land was a prison or a paradise for Australia’s first unwilling settlers. We travel to the places convicts were first sent to, Sydney and Hobart, and we end and begin our journey in Canberra.

Consider the big question

White Australia’s convict origins

Should convict Australia be called a slave society? What do you think?

Bonus interview

In the historic setting of Hobart’s Female Factory, Susan unravels the complex stories of Australia’s convict settlers. Meet one of Australia’s most highly regarded historians of women’s past experience and restoring women’s voices to history.