Migrantweb.com Hostels Forum

HappyCamper · New Member Joined: 28 Jan 2013 Posts: 5

I was 10 years old when my family left Guernsey C.I. and departed Southampton on 22nd September 1954 on The "New Australia" bound for Bonegilla Hostel in Victoria. However, at Perth were re-routed to Balgownie Hostel at Fairy Meadow NSW. (If anyone was on the same ship, same time there is a detailed account of the voyage by William P. Nash: http://member.melbpc.org.au/~nashr/The%20Voyage%20to%20Australia.html

I am currently writing my memoirs and by joining this group am hoping to fill in a few 'blank' spots, Smile

eg. How were we transported from Sydney to the Balgownie Hostel - Train or Bus? Thanks in advance for any help with this and oother related questions to follow.

Kindest regards
Eric

Robert (Bob) Taylor · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 7:32 pm Post subject: Happy Campers post.

Thanks, Eric read the website made excellent reading very similar to my and probably thousands of Migrants of the time.
Seems almost everyone got to get sick the first days out in the Bay of Biscay.I wonder if it's ever calm going through that area?
Cheers BOB.

HappyCamper · New Member Joined: 28 Jan 2013 Posts: 5

Hi Bob.
I can distinctly remember I wasnt sick Very Happy

BTW: I'm a "Taylor" too. I have reposted a revised version of this post on the Balgownie Hostel page. How do I post a photo?

Regards
Eric

Robert (Bob) Taylor · Posted: Mon Jan 28, 2013 11:15 pm Post subject: Clan Taylor

Re: Taylor we originated in Brighton Sussex, my Grandfather William Taylor, was a trawler fisherman out of there. My father George was one of six children, all since deceased, my father being the last two and half years ago at age 94, a real battler from his background in 2nd WWar.
Do you still live in Australia, or did you end up back in the Northern Hemisphere?
Cheers, BOB.
PS. Len who founded this website will be able to instruct you on posting photos, if you look him up on the member list and personal message him.

HappyCamper · New Member Joined: 28 Jan 2013 Posts: 5

Bob: In 1940 my Mum was evacuated from Guernsey and Dad Joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and later served in East Africa and India. I was born in Yorkshire in 1944 after one of his forloughs Smile

. In 1945 we went back to Guernsey until 1954. Mum and Dad now both deceased. My siblings are still in Australia - 3 in NSW (including me) and 1 in Victoria.
All the best
Eric

GinaKate · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:59 am Post subject:

We were originally bound for Melbourne, but on board ship (Fairsky) dad was talked into disembarking in Sydney. I remember being in a large open area on the docks, suitcases were placed in rows, and we were walking up and down searching for our baggage, along with everyone else. It seemed like an eternity before we were complete, I do remember the thrill I felt when I actually found a suitcase all by myself, it was like striking gold. I don't know what the next procedure was because dad left us standing with all our wordly goods and went off for another eternity. When he came back he had us follow him, each burdoned with as much as we could carry, and we piled on a bus bound for East Hills Hostel. And as I have mentioned before; January, heat, one lane highways, the bus trip was never ending, I fully expected that we were going back to Melbourne after all, by bus.
Point being, most of us were transported to the hostel via bus, I have just read one or two who had alternative transport, even one family sent off all alone by train and on foot to find their own way. And I think they were on their way to East Hills also.

aussietrekker · Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2013 11:13 pm Post subject:

We had the misfortune to arrive by plane on Good Friday, and the Immigration department, bless them, anticipated our arrival and everything being at a standstill, so they sent a taxi to meet us at the airport and said we were welcome to stay at the Altona Hostel. The first sight of the hostel was a nasty shock, but we were so grateful or we'd still be at the airport.

GinaKate · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 12:18 am Post subject:

I would say the first sight of the hostel would have been a nasty shock for everyone, without exception, and the best kept secret of the twentieth century.

And I would bet that when the governments of the day were circulating the promotional films and written information, it was accompanied by the office memo, stating that no way should the wife of the family get a virtual reality tour of the hostel accommodation, and the unavoidable infestation of cockroaches in the communal wash sheds.

aussietrekker · Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:39 pm Post subject:

Haha, I could just imagine them giving such a directive. We didn't have any cockroaches at Altona, in fact the first cockroach I ever saw was on the X-FILES. laugh

Steve63 · Posted: Wed May 29, 2013 9:06 pm Post subject:

aussietrekker · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 7:04 am Post subject:

Any of today's migrants would have instant access to litigation if that happened, and they would be set for life Evil or Very Mad

saiflamx69 · New Member Joined: 11 Jun 2013 Posts: 2

Hi i am saif. Marketing executive of Tripn hostel. My tripn hostel situated in Tirana capital of Albania. Internet browsing is my hobby. I am happy to became a member in this forum.
_________________
hostel tirana
hostel albania

aussietrekker · Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 7:11 pm Post subject:

I know a priest out Bannockburn way, and Internet browsing was his hobby too! He got three years.
laugh

Housemartin18 · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 1:44 am Post subject: Hello

Hi,
My name is Jeanette and arrived in Sydney in 1961 on the Fair Sea. Went to live on the Balgownie (Fairy Meadow) hostel in B Block. We then moved to Dapto in 1965. Attended Towradgi Primary School. Dad worked at the Port Kembla Steelworks.

Jeanette

Phyl · Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:53 am Post subject:

We were in Balgownie until later in 1963 and my children went to Towradgi school too. We were transferred to Sydney that year
_________________
Kind regards,
Phyl