As Aussie’s everywhere prepare for Australia Day, Miss Webb and her sister Margaret Pople will be reflecting on their family tree with other members of the Fellowship of First Fleeters Mid North Coast Chapter.

The Fellowship of First Fleeters was formed in 1968 for descendants of those who arrived in the First Fleet in Sydney on January 26, 1788. 

In the case of Miss Webb and her family their ancestor, Martha Kennedy, was convicted of theft and was sent from London to Australia.

“If Martha Kennedy had not committed a major felony then I would not be here today,” Miss Webb said.

“Martha was from Kingston upon Thames in London, and was sentenced for seven years transportation beyond the seas on April 2, 1787 for theft of money from a man.

“She was said to be 31 years old and was a pin header by trade. If not for that, then our family wouldn’t exist here in Australia.”

Miss Webb is not ashamed of her family tree or why she is here today, arguing that there was a reason behind the crime being committed all those years ago.

“I think she would have had to be in dire circumstances to have stolen the money. To come all of that way, and to survive, is quite amazing,” she said.

“Going right through the whole family tree there are a few people who have done sensational things, one was put into jail for stealing pork, but again I think this is because he had to feed his family.

“I feel it’s very significant to find this information out and to share our stories as we come up to Australia Day.

“There are not that many first fleeters around. The group is a great way to connect with other first fleeters.”

Miss Webb said we are so fortunate to live the way we do in this day and age, with education the key word in everything to do with Australian history, both social and cultural.

“Since white settlement there have been enormous changes. I was born in the era when the white Australia policy was around,” she explained.

“I went to Strathfield Girls High. We had a lot of girls from Malta, Greece, Italy, you name it. That culture I grew up with was wonderful. I really like it. But I think times have changed since then.”

He childhood was special in that her neighbour was a professor who spent time with Aboriginals and deciphered their languages.

“I grew up with his influence, as far as Aboriginal children were concerned, and I think they are an amazing race of people,” she said.

“I admire them and I think that education has changed. I can’t keep up with it, especially now that we are in a computer age.”

Miss Webb, her sister and the rest of the First Fleeters will celebrate Australia Day by visiting the Great Lakes Museum followed by a lunch cruise.