Janine Odlum-Harris, Theresa Woods and Raven Lamont will step back in time this weekend as famous women in history at the History Alive timeline event at Fort Lytton. Photo courtesy of Women in History
Theresa Woods, left, Raven Lamont, centre, and Janine Odlum-Harris will step back in time this weekend as famous women in history at the History Alive timeline event at Fort Lytton. Photo courtesy of Women in History
HISTORY re-enactors Raven Lamont and Theresa Woods, of Thorneside, and Janine Odlum-Harris, of Alexandra Hills, will step back in time this weekend when History Alive: A Journey Through Time comes to Fort Lytton for the 13th consecutive year.
History Alive is a unique, timeline event that features living history groups and re-enactors demonstrating the Roman Legion period through to the Vietnam era and a host of historical periods in between.
Raven, Theresa and Janine are members of the newly formed Women in History group, which portrays a range of famous women from a variety of historical periods.
Group co-ordinator Raven said all group members had thoroughly researched one or more female characters from history, had created attire as the women would have worn it, and would re-enact their persona at the History Alive event this weekend, and again at the Abbey Medieval Festival, at Caboolture, in July.
She said she had wanted to create a group that portrayed famous women in history since 2007.
"Many women you see in re-enactment groups are portrayed in subservient roles, but I knew there were strong women throughout history," she said.
"I believe this shows a more balanced view of history.
"When you pick a history book, you read about the men doing things, but it doesn't say that while they were away on crusade, their wives ran the castles, fed all the people on the lands they owned and protected them from invaders.
"Having come from a family of strong women, I wanted to show the other side."
Raven said the Women in History group would portray a range of famous women, including Joan of Ark, the 16th century Irish pirate Grace O'Malley, the legendary Scottish warrior woman and martial arts teacher Scathach, after whom the Isle of Skye was said to be named, Queen Eleanor of Acquitane, and others.
"Each member has a time allotted to speak in character about their persona and to show the skills they had to learn and use," she said.
"For example, Joan of Ark was a peasant girl who had to learn about sword fighting, so we'll be doing sword play and showing other skills she had.
"The pirate girls will be showing the skills they needed at the time, Queen Eleanor will speak about her life, and much more.
"We want to show women they can be anything they want to be in their lifetime ? all they need is to have the dream."
History Alive: A Journey Through Time will begin at 10am on Saturday and continue through Sunday, with re-enactments of 14th century tournaments, military displays, living history encampments, and a range of other activities provided by local and regional history groups.
Tickets range from $10 for a school age and concession pass to $60 for a family weekend pass; children under five are free.
The entrance to Fort Lytton National Park is located on the corner of Lytton Road and South Street, Lytton.
For further information, visit <#start#>
" target="_blank">www.historyalive.com.au
<#end#>