Maker: Sharon Williams

Panel number: 275

Petition sheet number: 329

Person honouring: Caroline Holgate

Relationship to maker: None

Caroline was born in Castlemaine, in Victoria, Australia in 1869 to Henry and Ann Fortune.

She married Enoch Denton Holgate in 1892 and they emigrated to New Zealand, settling in Christchurch. Caroline had two children – Enoch and Violet. She was pregnant with her son Enoch when she signed the suffrage petition.

Caroline and her family later returned to Australia. Her husband worked as an engine fitter for the railways until he died in 1912.

Caroline lived until 1960.

Panel materials: Most were recycled, or items I already had. The white background fabric was from Vinnies Re-sew. The red flower fabric was from a skirt my daughter had outgrown (and I kept in my fabric stash waiting for inspiration to reuse it). The blue and red felt, buttons, and blue embroidery thread was from my craft stash. I bought a packet of red sequins.