Things That Go Bump in the Night in Australia by Susan Horsnell

As an Australian, Halloween is not a celebration that was widely recognised until more recently so like many families, there is no tradition for mine.

I do have a huge interest though in the past, anything historical, rituals and traditions. I do also believe in spirits but this was not always the case.

My husband and I, along with our almost 2 year old Jack Russell-Miss Gemma-Jean, have been travelling the state of Tasmania, Australia in our caravan (RV) since February this year. One of the main reasons we came over was to explore the natural, untouched beauty but what I have found is an amazing history that is almost unknown. For years successive governments and individuals have seemingly attempted to wipe the past of the island, one which is extremely dark in some instances, from the history books with only a few exceptions. 

It has proved to be Nirvana for me and I will be bringing out numerous Australian Historical Novels under the name of Annabel Vaughan beginning in 2023. Most will focus on the Convict Days and will fictionalise, while keeping a large amount of fact, some of the horrendous treatment and stories of those transported from Britain. 

Identification of young girl 
transported to Tasmania.

The first story I have underway is in diary form and covers the story of Millicent ‘Millie’ Staples. Her story titled “The Cascades: A Female Factory Convict Love Story”  will take readers from her transport at the age of 11 through to her love story with one of the guards and eventual freedom. Her history is one unknown to her present day family until the diary is found as previous generations found the history deplorable and a stigma not to be acknowledged.

11, you ask? I have actually increased the age of her transport from 9 and made her a female who was sent to The Cascades Female Factory in Hobart. The factual story is of a 9 year old boy who stole some toys and was transported to the Port Arthur penal colony! Yep, 9 years old! As I said earlier, it is an horrendous past.

Now, to the title of my article. Earlier this week we visited the ruins of The Cascades Female Factory. It is a place where dogs are allowed and so we had Miss Gemma-Jean along with us. There is not a lot left of the site as there were attempts to wipe it from history but fortunately, it has now been noted as an important part of history and is World Heritage Listed to protect further decimation. The only original building remaining is the Matron’s Quarters.

Baby Cradles at The Cascades

Yards 1, 3 and 4 remain with some of the original stone walls and there are markings as you will see in the photos that show where original buildings around the perimeter once were. There were around 2,000 deaths of babies and young children at The Cascades during it’s lifetime, a terrible tragedy. Girls fell pregnant to guards and men they were ‘consigned’ to outside the factory. Once pregnant, they were sent back for punishment.

Two thousand names of babies and young children 
who died at The Cascades.

Miss Gemma-Jean was fascinated by various ‘smells’ in these yards but when we reached the area where the Solitary Confinement Cells had been located, she became so distressed, she actually squealed and my husband picked her up and carried her away from the yard and into the information building. She was shaking and her heart was racing. It was some time before she settled and the rest of the visit was uneventful since ‘daddy’ carried her to protect her from having it happen again.

A forgotten soul. Say her name

Inside, the staff petted and soothed her while informing us there had been several reactions from people in that solitary confinement area. I believe tortured souls walk the earth in that once soul-destroying site.  It would be interesting to know if those souls really do go bump in the night when darkness falls and all is quiet.

Happy Halloween to your and your families.

Sue Horsnell

I write in several sub-genres of romance so check out my website at: http://susanhorsnellromanceauthor.com

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