Migrantweb.com Hostels Forum

Phyl · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 12:34 am Post subject: Balgownie/Fairy Meadow Closing

Here is a snippet from Company Tidings that may be of interest.It is from the August 1977 journal. Smile

' Fairy Meadow Closing on September 17

The General Manager , Mr. Barry Hook, announced on July 16, that Fairy Meadow Hostel would cease operations on Saturday ,September 17. It would be placed under caretaker control pending a decision on it future use, he said.
Fairy Meadow formerly Balgownie , was one of the three migrant hostels on the N.S.W. south coast which were taken over from the Migrant Workers' Accommodation Division by the Company when it was formed in 1952. The others ------ Berkeley and Unanderra ----- have long since been closed, but Fairy meadow has never previously had to suspend operations. Last year three attractive new accommodation blocks were completed at the hostel.......'

INteresting I thought and as there seemed to be interest in the opening and closing of Berkeley I post this in the hope others may find it of historical interest.
Smile

_________________
Kind regards,
Phyl

Len · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 10:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks for that Phyl. I wonder when Unanderra was finally closed.
Phyl you don�t happen to have a hostel layout plan of the site i.e. showing the groups of huts and facilities locations etc?

Smile

Phyl · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 4:05 am Post subject:

Sorry Len , I haven't , I wish I did.
There are a couple of sketches in Company Tidings of the new buildings at East Hills and a bit about Melanka but not the hostels on the coast. I find the most interest is in the history of , photos and funnily enough Hostel Managers. Wonder why that last one ? idunno

I only have 11 copies of Company Tidings so when you consider there were so many of them ,they came out monthly , mine are just a drop in the ocean.
_________________
Kind regards,
Phyl