Sarah O’Malley Smith
Irish Famine Orphan Girls Commemoration Day was held at the Famine Rock in Hobson’s Bay, Williamstown on the 17th Nov 2013. The Commemoration is held every year to remember the girls and young women, victims of the Great Famine, who came to Australia under the Earl Grey Scheme.
Member for Williamstown Wade Noonan and Hobsons Bay Mayor Sandra Wilson unveiled the new Irish Famine Orphan Bay Trail Marker. Guest Speaker was Dr Liz Rushen, an expert in female transportation in the 19th century and author of several books on the subject. The MC, Dr Val Noone gave a talk as did Debra Vaughan, who has organized the event for the past four years. There was an enthusiastic turn out of descendants of Famine orphans, including South Australian descendants, interested parties from Chicago, Donegal and New South Wales.
Ms Vaughan is the great, great granddaughter of a famine orphan named Sarah (O’Malley) Smith, whose picture is featured on the new marker.
For further information see the direct link to the newsletter here: Dear Folks
Tinteán 