NFHM Events Calendar

By Year By Month By Week Today Search Jump to month
No Ordinary Convict: Janine Wood author talk
Tuesday 30 August 2022, 02:00pm - 03:00pm
Hits : 1567
by This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Contact 9278 4666

For much of her life Janine Marshall Wood, a former English, History and French teacher (the last five years at Camberwell High School), has been gripped by the remarkable story of John Hughes, his leadership in the Rebecca Riots, his convict years and life afterwards in Tasmania.

The Rebecca Riots (1839 – 1844), a protest movement that galvanised and amused much of the Western world, was known for its audaciousness and humour. Their aim was to alleviate the hardship of unfair tollgate charges in rural Wales. One of its leaders (or Rebeccas) was John Hughes (Jac Ty-isha in Welsh), who is the subject of Janine’s recent book No Ordinary Convict: a Welshman called Rebecca.

No Ordinary Convict: a Welshman called Rebecca addresses the context from which this extraordinary movement arose and then traces John Hughes’ background, arrest, trial, petitions for freedom and voyage to Van Diemen’s Land. Simultanenously,  and throughout the entire book, there are comparisons and contrasts between other Rebeccaites and the entire convict population.

In the talk Janine will describe her own family history research journey and how she become obsessed with the topic of John Hughes. She will explain the resources she used and further information about general tips when digging up any family tree, and how to get published.

Register Here

Location Hawthorn Library
Email enquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.