The Last Woman Hanged in Goulburn

Join Fran, Local Studies Librarian, in conversation with Karen Hollenbach about her research-led book project on Ellen Monks, her third great-grandmother and the last woman hanged in Goulburn. What began as a family history search and a visit to the Goulburn Historical Society has grown into an ongoing serialised work drawing on archival records, newspapers, place-based research and family history. Throughout the story installments on Substack, Karen brings together careful research, local history and narrative craft to explore what the record reveals, conceals, and leaves unresolved. In this talk, Karen will share Ellen’s story, the research and writing process behind it, what has been uncovered so far, and how local knowledge may help reveal more.

TICKETS WILL OPEN FOR BOOKING AT 9AM ON 27 JULY.

MEET THE PRESENTER

Karen Hollenbach is a writer, educator and consultant whose work is shaped by archives, place, family history and women’s lives. She is currently writing a book serialisation on Ellen Monks, bringing together careful research, local history and narrative craft to explore what the record reveals, conceals and leaves unresolved.