Work experience

– Bank Clerk (fathers choice) in England for 3 years – reason enough to leave such antiquated and class conscious views on life. Arrived at Bretts Wharf via the M.V.Fairsea on 4 April ’61. Spent 2 years with a meat exporting firm, 18 months as a driving school instructor, 2 years as the paymaster for a large retail store then, after being married in ’64 and a son in ‘65, set off to work with the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme in Cooma, N.S.W. 11 years later as an Industrial Relations Officer and an increase of 2 daughters to the family, moved to Sydney to join the Anglo-Australian Telescope Board where, on retirement, I was the Chief Admin Officer.

Yungaba memories

– Welcomed by the Big Brother movement, an organisation that brought children to Australia, and also political dignitaries with a garden lunch on the afternoon of our arrival. Many families were disappointed with the conditions and sought to be returned home at Government expense. The sound of cars going over the Story Bridge day and night. Cockroaches as big as birds, well, as big as some English birds. Light salads and grills became part of our menu rather than typically heavy English meals. Introduction to daily showers. A surprising number of volunteers who welcomed all new arrivals into their homes.

I stayed for two weeks for, as soon as I had a job, my rent went up. Never the less by being “encouraged” to leave I was taking my first step to assimilate into Australian society albeit I only moved my residence to Kangaroo Point.

General memories

– The best £10 ($20) I have ever spent in my life.

The future of Yungaba

– A museum of all things pertaining to Queensland immigration akin to the thoughts behind the “Welcome Wall” at the Australian Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, Sydney. Yungaba, as a museum would be the focal point for the public as well as researchers for the definitive history of immigration in our State.

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