Events
Dancing in Fetters: the culture of convict dance
July – 11 September 2022
10.00 am – 2.30 pm Wednesday – Sunday
Discover a completely different aspect of convict life.
Join us in learning about how this pastime allowed convicts to escape the drudgery of their existence, while providing social cohesion, a sense of belonging and cultural identity in a strange new land.
Convicts at Woolmers: Convict Research Symposium
Saturday 3 September 2022
9.30 am – 4.30 pm
Woolmers, along with Brickendon, is world-heritage listed for its ability to illustrate the assignment system of convict transportation in practice.
This symposium will include presentations on convict life, and lives, at Woolmers; on outstanding recent developments in Tasmanian convict history; and on how anyone (including you!) can make best use of the multiple resources now available online for research in this field.
The symposium will take place amidst an amazing exhibition on a little-known aspect of convict life: Dancing in Fetters: the culture of convict dance. There will also be a bookstall enabling you to view and purchase all the latest publications on Tasmanian convict history.
The symposium will be co-hosted by internationally renowned convict historian, Professor Hamish Maxwell-Stewart, and Woolmers’ cultural historian, Dr Anne Neale.
Short presentations (10 minutes max.) are invited from anyone who has information to share regarding a convict who worked at Woolmers, including their lives “before and after”. Please contact Woolmers by email before 3 August 2022 if you would like to make a presentation.
Cost, including entry to Woolmers & site tour notes; convict-oriented guided tour (optional); morning and afternoon tea, and light lunch: $80 per person (no concessions).
For planning purposes, please confirm your attendance at the symposium, and interest in taking the convict tour, no later than Friday 26 August 2022.
Contact: symposiums@woolmers.com.au
Travel & accommodation: Woolmers is situated 10 minutes drive from Longford, 30 minutes from Launceston, and about 2 hours from Hobart. A limited amount of historic cottage accommodation may be available on site at Woolmers for those wishing to stay overnight. See: Accommodation at Woolmers Estate
Flower and Garden Show
Saturday 8th of October 2022
9.00 am – 12.00 pm or 12.00 pm – 3.00 pm
The Woolmers Estate and Blooming Tasmania one day Flower and Garden Show looks forward to the coming growing season and in doing so will take a deeper look at the gardens, beyond but including the roses, of the Estate.
There will be stalls to gather supplies of garden needs, demonstrations of gardening maintenance techniques and practical advice for leaving your winter garden behind.
Entry $12 per person
Children under 16 free
Free parking
Woolmers Estate Annual Art Exhibition
Open to the public from Saturday 22 October 2022
Returning in 2022 this popular exhibition will bring together a mix of paintings and sculpture from many Tasmanian artists.
More details to follow.
Festival of Roses
Sunday 20 November 2022
10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Woolmers Estate’s popular Festival of Roses will return in 2022.
The day will see a range of plants for sale as well as a fabulous range of all things gardening related.
Join Woolmers Estate in this celebration of the return of the rose blooming season.
This is a smoke-free event.
More details to follow.