Maker: Sue Goodin

Panel number: 477

Petition sheet number: Unknown

Person honouring: Georgina Jane Burgess

Relationship to makers: Great-great-grandmother

Georgina Gilbert was born in 1839, on board the Bengal Merchant as it sailed from Greenock, Scotland with her parents James and Jane Gilbert (born Currie). They arrived in Petone, New Zealand on 20 February 1840, less than one month after the arrival of the first migrant ship to New Zealand, and settled at Petone.

Georgina married John Burgess at Kaiapoi in November 1858. They moved to Burkes Pass in the Mackenzie Country and in 1861 became the licensees of the Burkes Pass Hotel, which became a focal point of the community. Their family included six children – five boys and a girl. 

Georgina was a popular and capable woman, and as a highly skilled midwife, she travelled considerable distances to assist local women. The family donated land for an interdenominational church in 1871. After John died in 1887, Georgina remained in Burkes Pass as the part-time postmistress until 1894. 

Georgina died at Cricklewood near Fairlie on 19 January 1904 while living with her daughter, Ellen Isabel Bain (born Burgess). She was 63.

Panel materials: The fabrics were all already in my possession. I used ribbon, wool, and various fabrics