On a recent trip I re-visited the immigration camp at Bonegilla,which now is a memorial to over 300 000 migrants who arrived in Australia between 1947 and 1971 and this is where it all began for me in June 1955. This was my room I had to share with an unknown mate,it measured 2×3 meters,no wardrobe,no heating,no air condition,no bathroom,2 blankets and a stroh mattrass under me,it was freezing cold at night…it was in mid winter.
Thank you Gilberte,I was young (22) at the time and full of adventure in those days and I saw it with different eyes the worst part were the cold nights
Very interesting series Hans. You arrived here, but may I ask where you came from? I do not know about this part of history.
Thank you Annie,I migrated from Germany and as a Toolmaker by trade had not a problem finding a job,in those days the majority of migrants had to have a trade background
Not a very auspicious start to life in a new country, but thankfully it wasn’t permanent and you were able to make a new beginning. A very interesting series of photos.
Thank you Christine,well it all worked out in my favour
Thanks, for this, Hans. I have told our story so often: The steam train, from Port Melbourne. Climbing down, after mid-night, to cross paddocks, in the dark, guided by a young teenager’s torch, to an assembly hall and then into this. My mother cried so that night and I quote her so often!! “Why did I leave my neat, cosy apartment, in Gouda – for this!?!”
Hi Oscloggie,sorry to have open up old memories hope you and your loved ones are having better times now
Just for Annie Snel’s information: We came from Gouda, the Netherlands. (A boy, in my class there – 6th Class – was called: Nederhorst. His father a politician.) To my surprise, on websites like: The Making of Modern Australia and others, people have written how “wonderful” it was, to be in Bonegilla!! Not for us!! Do not get me wrong – I am so glad we migrated – but the start, in those old military camps was awful. ( Sorry about the ! ? ! creating a broken link, after ‘in Gouda for this?’ )
Thank you for that,yes the start was not easy for migrants in those days as all we had was our suitcase and hope of a better life,guess the majority manged OK
Nice to see these up here Hans. I spent 12 months in the same facilities – still in use in 1980! I admit that the Army was not issuing straw matresses at that time though :-) Rooms were the same as were the shower facilities – always interesting in mid winter! Like you I was young and adventurous and in my early military years and enjoyed my time there. It was the School of Military Survey back then. regards, Graham
Hi Graham,thank’s for your comment,I had no idea it was still in use in the 1980s I must say it was still better then living in a tent,the part I remember most were the cold night’s in the middle of winter,coming from Europe we expected bright sunny day’s and warm night’s,during those day’s in Germany they did show lot’s of Aussie films,to get more migrants to sign up I guess,we never saw a cold day in those films only bronced life savers and plenty of sunshine!
Comments
You must have suffered in that room Hans
Thank you Gilberte,I was young (22) at the time and full of adventure in those days and I saw it with different eyes the worst part were the cold nights
– Hans Kawitzki
This must have brought back some memories for you Hans. Doesn’t sound like it was a good introduction to our country for you.
Thank you Kathy,oh well it wasn’t that bad,I was young and full of adventure knowing it could only get better
– Hans Kawitzki
Oh gosh! I just want to cry!
Please don’t Magee it all turned out to be well for the majority of us migrants in those days
– Hans Kawitzki
Very interesting series Hans. You arrived here, but may I ask where you came from? I do not know about this part of history.
Thank you Annie,I migrated from Germany and as a Toolmaker by trade had not a problem finding a job,in those days the majority of migrants had to have a trade background
– Hans Kawitzki
Not a very auspicious start to life in a new country, but thankfully it wasn’t permanent and you were able to make a new beginning. A very interesting series of photos.
Thank you Christine,well it all worked out in my favour
– Hans Kawitzki
Thanks, for this, Hans. I have told our story so often: The steam train, from Port Melbourne. Climbing down, after mid-night, to cross paddocks, in the dark, guided by a young teenager’s torch, to an assembly hall and then into this. My mother cried so that night and I quote her so often!! “Why did I leave my neat, cosy apartment, in Gouda – for this!?!”
Hi Oscloggie,sorry to have open up old memories hope you and your loved ones are having better times now
– Hans Kawitzki
Just for Annie Snel’s information: We came from Gouda, the Netherlands. (A boy, in my class there – 6th Class – was called: Nederhorst. His father a politician.)
To my surprise, on websites like: The Making of Modern Australia and others, people have written how “wonderful” it was, to be in Bonegilla!! Not for us!! Do not get me wrong – I am so glad we migrated – but the start, in those old military camps was awful. ( Sorry about the ! ? ! creating a broken link, after ‘in Gouda for this?’ )
Thank you for that,yes the start was not easy for migrants in those days as all we had was our suitcase and hope of a better life,guess the majority manged OK
– Hans Kawitzki
Have you seen this reaction to participation in the ABC website: ‘The Making of Modern Australia’, Hans? Your captures would look good HERE
Ha,have no idea how my image got there,thanks for pointing it out to me
– Hans Kawitzki
Nice to see these up here Hans. I spent 12 months in the same facilities – still in use in 1980! I admit that the Army was not issuing straw matresses at that time though :-) Rooms were the same as were the shower facilities – always interesting in mid winter! Like you I was young and adventurous and in my early military years and enjoyed my time there. It was the School of Military Survey back then.
regards, Graham
Hi Graham,thank’s for your comment,I had no idea it was still in use in the 1980s I must say it was still better then living in a tent,the part I remember most were the cold night’s in the middle of winter,coming from Europe we expected bright sunny day’s and warm night’s,during those day’s in Germany they did show lot’s of Aussie films,to get more migrants to sign up I guess,we never saw a cold day in those films only bronced life savers and plenty of sunshine!
– Hans Kawitzki