Migrantweb.com Hostels Forum

Cabracreek · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 2:00 pm Post subject: Cabramatta Hostel

Hi
My name is Bill Ferguson, I lived in Cabramatta hostel in 1958, No 51. I have been reading some of the stories and noticed a name that I recognised. Ralph Gibbons, if he is the same lad, a quiet lad I believe from London. I may be wrong. We arrived from Scotland on the Orontes, I think it was May 1958. Some of the friends I had then were, Jud Proctor, Ray Cunningham, a lad called Sashka, Peter Walker, Roy Bellaby to name a few.
I remember in our early days on the hostel, I got a job in the kitchens, it was in the main mostly polish workers and it seemed to me that I was not wanted there, so I asked the manager of the hostel, a Mr Spelling I think his name was. He gave me a job walking round the hostel picking up rubbish, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Anyway glad to join your forum.
Bill

Norm Faint · Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 6:47 am Post subject: Ralph Gibbons

Hi Bill...yes Ralph was a quiet sort of lad (when we were not wagging school, scrumping passionfruit or skinny dipping in the creek)...we came over on the same boat with Nicky Brent, the Kirwin brothers and Tony Bates (1954). Ralph had an older brother and sister and a younger brother. From the Hostel the family moved to Fairfield West. From news passed on over the years, the father Mr. Gibbons fell from the Sydney Harbour Bridge whilst at work, Ralph is cared for by his sister (Jenny ?) he has dementure. Cheers for now ...Norm
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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.

Cabracreek · Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2013 8:23 pm Post subject:

Hi Norm
Thanks for your reply,re Ralph Gibbons. How long were you on the Cabramatta site?. Do you remember the Name of the Manager there in 1958?

Cheers Bill