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[Norm Faint]

1954 Cabramatta Hostel from England S.S.Strathaird. From Cabramatta to Matraville, Marybrinong, Broadmeadows, Williamstown, Heathcote Road and Bunnerong. Various moves as dad became a Hostel Manager whilst at Cabramatta. My friends were the Gibbons, Bates, Kerwin and Brent. Caught up with Nicky Brent a couple of years ago. We spent a week in Bali catching up on 'stories'. From Cabramatta to Fairfield on the old steam train, then a walk to F/field High and daily it was fisty cuffs, until we lost our accents hahaha.
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1954, Cabramatta Hostel from England aboard S.S.Strathaird, followed by Matraville, Marybrinong, Broadmeadows, Williamstown, Heathcote Road and Bunnerong (various moves as dad was later in '54 engaged as a Hostel Manager.

[Phyl]

The name Faint rings a bell.What was your Dad's first name. My husband was also a hostel manager and like you we were transferred around :)

Was the Gibbons boy at Cabramatta called Joey? We used to be close to their hut. just uut the gate. I remember the Gibbons family well though don't know where they are now. Knew quite a few kids when we were there in 1956-57.
We were at Cabramatta a second time in 1965
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Kind regards,
Phyl

[Norm Faint]

Thanks for responding Phyl. Yes Joey was the youngest, father a painter upon the Harbour Bridge (?), Ralph was my age, and Jenny the sister. With the Brents, Kirwins and Bates we sailed from England on the Strathaird April 1954. When we first arrived in Cabramatta the most lucrative work was at Rum Jungle in the Northern Territory, when dad (Jim dcd.) told mum (Queenie dcd.), you could have heard her scream from the bush opposite Gibbons hut....her 'pioneering days' were over !!!! hahaha guess what, apart from the moves 'as listed' dad with Com Hostels made a transfer to Com. Native Affairs and moved to the Northern Territory in 1961 as Superintendent Beswick Creek (now Barunga) then District Welfare Officer Katherine, Alice Springs and Gove however, being' attached' to Head Office in Darwin he was able to secure a home for Queenie not having to experience any more 'pioneering moves'. Coincidence, my first work in the Territory was at Rum Jungle followed by an acceptance as Manager with Com. (now) Aboriginal Affairs, the many moves must have been in my blood hahaha, I took postings at Bagot, Melville Island, Arnhem Land Maningrida, Groote Eylandt and Wave Hill.
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1954, Cabramatta Hostel from England aboard S.S.Strathaird, followed by Matraville, Marybrinong, Broadmeadows, Williamstown, Heathcote Road and Bunnerong (various moves as dad was later in '54 engaged as a Hostel Manager.

[Norm Faint]

Hi again Phyl, the last I saw of the Gibbons family was either late 60's or early 70's. I was on leave down south and tracked Ralph and family to Smithfield or Fairfield West, just about to the rear of the nearby Hotel. Mr. Gibbons (Joey Snr. ?) had died as a result of (reportedly) falling from the Sydney Harbour Bridge. From recent enquiries (2011) Ralph is in Hospital/or Home with bad case of (reportedly) Dementure. Jenny is still around and visits him.
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1954, Cabramatta Hostel from England aboard S.S.Strathaird, followed by Matraville, Marybrinong, Broadmeadows, Williamstown, Heathcote Road and Bunnerong (various moves as dad was later in '54 engaged as a Hostel Manager.

[Phyl]

Hi Norm,
That is so tragic. I feel sad about them.

Have you read the hostel news clipping in this forum? Mrs. Gibbons is in that.
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Kind regards,
Phyl

[Norm Faint]

I am still hopefull of locating Irene Cross formally of East Hills Hostel 1955/56
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1954, Cabramatta Hostel from England aboard S.S.Strathaird, followed by Matraville, Marybrinong, Broadmeadows, Williamstown, Heathcote Road and Bunnerong (various moves as dad was later in '54 engaged as a Hostel Manager.