The Vine Weaver

The Vine Weaver. Hawkesbury River area 1820s+. Joel and Hetty Walker live on a secluded farm on the Hawkesbury River. An incident in Joel's past makes him wish to protect young women from the heinous attentions of the colony's men, so the Walkers create a haven. After numerous times of being abused, Fran Rea gives birth to a stillborn, illegitimate child in the Female Factory in Parramatta. Distraught that her pretty face has attracted men, she tries to disfigure herself. Hetty rescues Fran and takes her to the farm, where Fran teaches her vine weaving. This success spurns an entire cottage industry for the small farm. Over the years, the girls come and go. The farmhand, Hector Macdougal, shows compassion to all, yet it is his words that change their lives, giving them a future beyond their dreams. It is to Hector that Fran turns when threatened.The vines now must draw them close to survive the revelations of the future.