Migrantweb.com Hostels Forum

[Irene]

My family arrived in Sydney like David aboard the Ellinis 29h of April must have been on the same bus. We came from Dunfermline Scotland I remember my mum brought her fur coat over and had to wear it as there was no room to carry it, must have been a sight. My parents Bill and Isobel Lawrie 4 children Ian, (13) Christine (12) myself Irene (11) and Robert (7) We lived in a low number my mum thinks it was 9 not sure. We were friends with the Smallwoods, the Osmans. the O'Shea's, Butterworths, Edmonds, Youngs, Mary and Jo Smith, Scholfields, (who has the famous Jockey son and now grandson) Carters. Finnagans, I had a great time in the Hostel always on my roller skates and fishing in the creek. My dad worked at Goodyears and stayed there till he retired. I remember the food at the hostel looked good but had no taste, well not like my mum's cooking but at least we had food on the table. I went to Cabramatta West for that year then on to the High school. When I was in year 3 (now 9) we moved to Wentworthville and I went to Pendle Hill High. We moved out the hostel and rented in John Street Cabramatta until 1968 when mum and dad bought the house in Wenty.
I remember being in the hostel when Decimal currency came in Feb 14th 1966 and thought I was being ripped off with lollies as I was only getting 10 cents instead of 12 pennies in the shilling. So I only like the shillings when getting lollies. I used to love the green tree frogs that were always in the toilets. When I first saw the game of Rugby Leaque when Cabramatta played I thought it was a weired game. I could hear Warwick Farm car races from the play park. What about when kids on Guy Fawks night used to put the big Bungers under the plates and watch them fly in the air. I liked the Tom Thumbs and the rockets One day when I playing outside a family passed by going to get their child christened and the Lady handed me a wrapped up cracker and when I opened it up there was two shillings inbetween I thought it was Christmas, my mum said it was their custom. I was the first girl they saw my mum thinks it was an Irish family that lived down from us more near the High School end. We lived near the carpark in Alick Street. My dad's first car was a blue Wolsley. I remember pushing it a few times. My mum and dad will be celebrating their 60th wedding Anniversary in November and live in Winston Hills. I had a lot of happy times in the Hostel and lots of parties. Hope you enjoy reading this as I enjoy reading others.
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Irene Lawrie

[aussietrekker]

Well I enjoyed reading it, we all have the same parallel experiences even though the locations were different. And we all felt the same way about the lollies on Decimal Currency Day.

[stormfour]

we were living in Brisbane when decimal currency came in I was going to High school then ,and I remember going round and asking every body for a cent,I think at the end of the day I had about $2 not a bad days work,I preferred the cents as they were smaller than pennies and you could get more in your pocket
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Carol Myers Altona Hostel Dec 1962 - June 1964

[tohara]

We arrived on Fed 23rd 1966, just over a week after decimal Currency started. It was really good that we weren't the only people that were confused by the money. It was the perfect timing as far as I am cocerned.
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Tony O'Hara
Holmesglen Hostel Feb 1966-early 1967 (can't remember exactly)

[Phyl]

We were on Cabramatta Hostel in 1965.My late husband Tony Hobbs was one of the managers. Maybe you remember him or your parents may.
My eldest son Murray was at Cabramatta West school and was the same age as you.My twins were a bit younger. Maybe you were in Murray's class .
Hope you enjoy the site Len has given to us Irene and post more memories. I enjoyed your post.
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Kind regards,
Phyl

[ronosman]

This message goes to Irene Lawrie. My dad was an Osman and he too was staying at the Cabramatta Hostel in 1968. Just wondering if its the same Osmans. The are originally from England. Ron Osman, wife Valerie and 6 month daughter Sarah. Please let me know if it is the same people. Dad is trying to track down some history of our Australian family.
thanks
Rowena

[Irene]

Hi Rowena,

No the Osmans I knew had a lot of children and I know they live in Penrith NSW.
I love looking at this site and know that all families were going through the same as us.

Thanks
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Irene Lawrie