Migrantweb.com Hostels Forum

[Marie13]

My fingers are crossed that someone knows of the location of one or two former hostels that were in Victoria's Latrobe Valley in the 1950's or 1960's.
My husband remembers living in a migrant hostel after he arrived with his family from Scotland in early 1951. They later lived in Morwell in a newly built Housing Commision home in McMillan Street.
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Marie

[richardhallford]

Hi. There were migrant Hostels in Yallourn and Morwell in the Latrobe Valey.
The Yallourn Hostel was commonely known ass the Yallourn South Migrant camp. Not to be confused with the Yallourn South Camp, which was different.
Have a look here:-
http://www.palmerhiggsbooks.com.au/images/josef-sestokas/little-europe-excerpt.pdf
and Here:-
http://genforum.genealogy.com/englandcountry/lancashire/messages/3423.html
and Here:-
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/66133384
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East Hills Hostel Aug 1966 to 1968. Nissen Huts 81 and 83d

[richardhallford]

Your in luck!. The National Archives of Australia has a file available to view on line (and download if you want) for free. Its 71 pages long. I have very quickly scanned it and the Migrant camp was first established no earlier than 9th April, 1951, as there is there is a Works Requisition contained within.
Also according to enclosed docs, it was closed in 1953!
There is actually a map contained within, so you can see the exact location of it. IF it was the Yallourn site that you were at. Regards, Richard. Go to the National Archives of Australia site - http://www.naa.gov.au/
Go down to where it says "The Collection"
Just below that, click on "search the collection"
In the search box, search for this "Migrant workers hostel, Yallourn number 1"
The file will come up. Click on the top right hand side where it says "view digital copy"
You can "right mouse" over each page and copy to your hardrive.
Hope this helps
Richard
PS Im posting this in pubic as lots of peeps look at this site and may wish to know
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East Hills Hostel Aug 1966 to 1968. Nissen Huts 81 and 83d

[richardhallford]

After a very brief search, Ive found this article from the local Newspaper in Morwell. It looks like the Migrant camp there was for Germans. Here is the link for you to read. Richard.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/66133926
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East Hills Hostel Aug 1966 to 1968. Nissen Huts 81 and 83d

[richardhallford]

You can see a map of the Yallourn Migrant camp, if you look here:-

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=PqDgc5KKfvIC&pg=PT8&dq=welcome+to+little+europe+chapter+8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=nzCKUYSbN8POiAevqYGwBA&ved=0CDIQ6AEwAA
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East Hills Hostel Aug 1966 to 1968. Nissen Huts 81 and 83d

[Marie13]

Many Thanks for your many suggestions Richard! I have already quickly scanned all and they are most useful. The maps in the 2010 published book about Yallourn hostels are very informative.
There is certainly a lot about DPs living conditions in the Valley and the different treatment of migrants, especially the British.
Perhaps the Dickson family did not stay in a Yallourn hostel and instead stayed in another Victorian one until their HC home was ready for them probably in late 1951 in Morwell.
Perhaps even another alternative was that Mrs Dickson and her 2 young sons stayed in a Melbourne area hostel while Mr Dickson, a fitter and turner by trade, stayed in a workers accomodation in the Valley?
Will post my conclusions when if and when I find more details.
Cheers
Marie
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Marie

[richardhallford]

Your welcome for the info. You might also consider contacting the Morwell Historical Society. They have information that is not available on line. (as it still is everywhere). Good luck. Richard.
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East Hills Hostel Aug 1966 to 1968. Nissen Huts 81 and 83d