Maker: Robyn Gray

Panel number: 441

Petition sheet number: 539

Person honouring: Elizabeth (Betsie) Webster

Relationship to maker: Great-great-aunt

Two of my great-great-aunts signed the 1893 petition – Betsie Webster and Catharin (Kitty) Webster.

Betsie is pictured on the panel in Shanghai. As a young woman she went from Cust in Canterbury to China with the China Inland Mission; possibly a way to adventure and a purpose beyond what was the expected route for women then. She left China quickly at the outbreak of the second Sino-Japanese war in the late 1930s.

My great-aunt Jean Webster was an exquisite embroiderer and taught English and French for many years at Auckland Girls Grammar. She inspired my love of language and languages.

Panel materials:  Chinese traditional pattern fabric purchased, embroidery from a piece worked by my great-aunt (niece of the signatory), buttons purchased and from my button jar.