FANNY COCHRANE
The people on Flinders Island were kept as if they were in prison Fanny Cochrane was a member of the Palawa people and as a community member was well respected. At 8 years of age Fanny was taken from her family and sent to an orphan school in Hobart and later became a servant. At the age of 12 years of age, Robert Clark (her master) chanted her up and belted her. In revenge she tried to burn down his house. Age 20 she was forced to marry William Smith an x convict. Age 23, at a place near Hobart Fanny Cochran was given 100 acres of land. Age 24 Fanny Cochrane's first child was born and over the years she had another 10 children. After 1876 every year Fanny Cochrane was given $100 dollars and was also given 120 hectors of land. Fanny claimed herself as a full Palawa person, but the government believed that after Truga Ninni died that there were no more Palawa people left.
Fanny Cochrane was one of the last Palawa people and recorded her language. This is the only recording.
Fanny Cochrane died at the age of 71
She was important in Australian History because she was one of the last to
hear her language been spoken and the only person to record the Palawa language,
the tape still remains today in the Hobart museum.
