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This
not for profit company purchased Yard 3 of the historic site
in 1999 and the Matron's Cottage in Yard 4 in 2004. The company
was formed when Yard 3 was purchased in October 1999 using moneys
from a Commonwealth Government Centenary of Federation Grant.
The grant of $975,000 enabled the purchase of the land, walls
and building located on the site, and progressed much needed
conservation, archaelogical and interpretive work at the site.
Female Factory Historic Site Ltd later purchased the Matron's
Cottage in Yard 4 with assistance from the Tasmanian Government,
Tattersalls, and the estate of a Launceston philanthropist,
and has since undertaken extensive conservation work on the
cottage.
The
gifting of this nationally important historic site by the Female
Factory organisation, which is managed and staffed by volunteers,
to Tasmanians in 2009, has ensured that the site will remain
the property of Tasmanians for all time. Inscription on the
World Heritage List was announced on July 31 by UNESCO.
Over
the last 18 months grants from the Commonwealth and State Governments
have enabled many of the interpretive developments on the site
to be progressed. The Female Factory Historic Site Ltd has worked
closely with Government to enable this important work to be
undertaken and maintains this excellent working relationship.
The Site has been administered since its inception by Project
Manager, Shirley McCarron.
Maintenance and conservation
issues for the site are currently managed by DPIPWE (Parks &
Wildlife).
 The
Chairman of the Female Factory Site Ltd is the Hon. Peter Rae
AO, a former Federal Senator, State Minister, Solicitor and
Chairman of the Hydro. Peter Rae is currently Chairman, Tasmanian
Renewable Energy Industry Development Board, Director, Woolmers
Foundation, Chairman, Royal National Agricultural and Pastoral
Society Ltd. (Launceston Show), Chairman, International Renewable
Energy Alliance, Vice Chairman, REN21 and a director of a number
of other companies.
Under his wise guidance the
site has achieved some amazing outcomes over the last eleven
years, firmly establishing this convict women’s site as
an important part of the story of convictism and acknowledging
the role these women and their descendants played in the development
of Tasmania and our Nation.
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