08 May, 2025.
It was a pleasure to attend the official book launch of "Children from the Shadows…with Hope for the Future", honouring the legacy of Elizabeth 'Betty' Villy. This event took place on Sunday at the Wollondilly Heritage Centre in The Oaks. Gathering with family members of the late Elizabeth Villy, we celebrated the launch of her completed published book. It was Elizabeth's wish to complete this book, and the collaboration between The Oaks Historical Society and the Picton and District Historical and Family History Society succeeded in fulfilling this wish after Elizabeth's passing in 2023. This publication provides a poignant account of children in the boarding-out system from 1881 until 1923 in Wollondilly and the surrounding district, detailing the unofficial fostering of these children. Attendees included Martin Killion, Director of Collections and Director of State Records NSW, who officially launched the book, along with Wollondilly Shire Councillors in attendance.
