Events - Parramatta Female Factory Friends

Foundation Day 2021

Events at the Parramatta Female Factory Friends

The Parramatta Female Factory Friends are proud to call the historic site home. When you arrive at 5 Fleet Street, Parramatta, you’ll see the Factory sign and the Bicentennial Commemorative Wall. Our rooms are located in the 1821 Greenway-designed Matron’s Quarters and Administration Building—a place steeped in history and community spirit.

For all inquiries and bookings, please contact us at
contact@parramattafemalefactoryfriends.com.au

Our Signature Event – “It’s a Riot” Day

Each October, we host our annual celebration—“It’s a Riot” Day—commemorating the first recorded women’s riot at the Factory in 1827.
This special day brings together members, descendants, and visitors to honour the courage and resilience of the women who lived and worked here.

Join us for:

Pre-booked guided tours of the site
Access to our special collections and exhibitions
Presentations and talks throughout the day
Refreshments and opportunities to meet descendants and share family histories

“It’s a Riot” Day is the highlight of our year—a celebration of heritage, community, and the enduring spirit of the Parramatta Female Factory women.

Tours

We offer pre-booked tours of the Parramatta Female Factory, the earliest surviving convict women’s site in Australia.
To book, simply email your request to contact@parramattafemalefactoryfriends.com.au and our Tour Coordinator will confirm availability. For details on upcoming tours, please visit the Tours page on our website.

Talks and Presentations

Our members are available to give talks to community organisations, schools, and historical groups on a range of topics relating to the Parramatta Female Factory, the broader Female Factory system, and connected histories.
To organise a talk, please contact us via email.

Exhibitions

We are proud to present our permanent Exhibition on the Parramatta Female Factory, located within our rooms in the 1821 Greenway-designed Matron’s Quarters and Administration Building.
The exhibition is open during special events and features rare artefacts, research materials, and interpretive displays that bring the site’s stories to life.

Research Centre and Library

The Parramatta Female Factory Friends Research Centre and Babbette Smith Collection were officially opened on Riot Day 2024.
Visitors can explore convict records, genealogical materials, and academic resources that support ongoing research into the lives of women associated with the Factory and its later institutions.

Meetings and Speaker Program

Members and the public are warmly invited to attend our General Meetings, held at 12:00 pm every second month on the third Friday of February, April, June, August, October, and December.

Each meeting includes:

12:00 pm – General Meeting
1:00 pm – Afternoon Tea
1:30 pm – Speaker Program

Our Speaker Program features expert presentations on heritage, history, and social reform topics.

Bookings are available through Eventbrite, and updates are posted regularly on Facebook. Please book early, as places are limited and events often sell out quickly.

Please note that our Annual General Meeting (AGM) is held in August, and there is no speaker program at that meeting.

Workshops

Throughout the year, we host hands-on workshops exploring heritage conservation, genealogy, convict research, and historical storytelling.
These are announced on our website and Facebook page. Early booking is recommended, as sessions typically sell out quickly.

Be Part of Our Events

Every event we hold helps keep the history of the Parramatta Female Factory alive. Whether you’re attending a talk, joining a tour, or participating in “It’s a Riot” Day, your involvement supports our mission to preserve and share the stories of Australia’s earliest convict women.

For details, bookings, or to volunteer at our events, please contact:
contact@parramattafemalefactoryfriends.com.au