Migrantweb.com Hostels Forum

[aussietrekker]

Made First Contact with Susan Gillet yesterday, she came down to Geelong with Ron and we had a fabulous day. We got a large sheet of paper and drew a layout plan of Altona Hostel as we remembered it. We drew the rows of huts with their numbers, and filled in where each family lived. There are a of of gaps, and we need your help. If any of you can remember who you lived next to, or opposite or behind, please let us know. The hut number would be a big bonus. We had a separate column for names we couldn't place- and remembered 57 families between us.

[stribe]

We the Heaney's were in the very first hut before you went over the bridge to the beach, we looked out onto the kindergarten and the big tree everyone climbed, I think it was hostel 1, in one of the pictures there is a number I will see if I can find it. I dont remember my neighbours, they were a lot older than me (in there early thirties,) with a baby so didnt mix much with us
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If its to be its up to me

[stormfour]

57 Families..That is some achievement guys
We lived in D10 the Dennerleys lived next door to us,and the Logans on the end ( I think )
Does anybody remember a blonde haired girl who always wore sunglasses as she said she had hayfever and she lived in the first hut as you came out of the canteen at the top of the row on the other side of our row.She was a bit of a bully but I think her bark was worse than her bite,but she always used to be in the toilet block when I went in and I was scared to death of her,she had an older sister as well and if I remember rightly she also had a brother.
I think Later on the McQuades also lived in that block.
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Carol Myers Altona Hostel Dec 1962 - June 1964

[caroline]

Ill have to have a wee think about my neighbours, we were down near the canteen when we first arrived, then we went to queensland and I think Judith was on one side and the Tibos family on the other,I think that was when we frst arrived, then we came back from queensland and were the other side of the rec hall,Judith is younger than me but has a better memory Judith do you remember ?xxx

[oceania]

wow 57 families thats great stuff We the Logans lived in B5, 2 rows from the canteen entrance and had the Mcleans next door and directly behind us where the Lee's and next to them the Minto's dont know there numbers though. Cheers Andy

[caroline]

you have a really good memory Andy,I;m still thinking about who was near me lol lol xx

[aussietrekker]

You're right Caroline, you had the Houstons (us) one one side and Tibos on the other. Simonds opposite us, and Lee next door to them.

[caroline]

Thanks Judith,xxx

[Susan Gillet]

Pat, you lived in hostel 2, hostel 1 was the first area, from the gate to the nissen hut. I also lived in hostel 2.

The Logans lived in block B, in hostel 1. The Dennerley's lived in block H I believe, closest to the road.

The McQuades also lived in hostel 2, around block D or E I think. At least that's where they were when I was going out with Jimmy.

I only knew Caroline when they came back from Qld when we became good friends.

Apparently my dad was meant to go to Qld with Dick, but got left behind for some reason. I never knew that.
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Resident of Altona Hostel, 1963-1965

[stormfour]

Well I stand corrected,by my bother Cliff through my sister Linda...The Dennerleys did not live next door to us The Holt's did,the son was Frank Holt who was Cliff's mate and apparently his Mum was a tailor and she had the job of taking everybodys jeans in for them!!
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Carol Myers Altona Hostel Dec 1962 - June 1964

[Susan Gillet]

It's amazing how patchy our memories can be isn't it. We think we can remember it all so clearly, but then someone mentions something that we had forgotten entirely, and truth becomes clear. hehe
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Resident of Altona Hostel, 1963-1965