Migrantweb.com Hostels Forum

Jamie · Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:26 am Post subject: Research enquiry

Hi!

My name is Jamie and I am currently studying at Adelaide University doing a History/English major. I am a mature-age student (40) who returned to uni to pursue my dream of becoming a teacher and perhaps even academic lecturing.

My partents are both migrants; my mother came out with her parents and two brothers from the UK as "ten pound poms" in 1959 and my father immmigrated from Italy in 1952 as 3yr old with his parents and older sisters.

My mum stayed at Finsbury migrant hostel (Pennington SA). My dad stayed at Gepps Cross.

Anyway, I have joined this forum as I am currently doing a research internship with National Archives. My research topic is the migrant hostels in SA post WWII (1950-60's). With this in mind I am seeking any information on the migrant camps in SA, especially any info on location (street addresses), layout, construction, conditions/facilities, prior land ownership etc...

I believe via enquiry that there were camps at Pennington, Gepps Cross, Glenelg, Gawler, Smithfield, Northfield, Woodside, Berri, et al.

Anyone who has any access to aerial pictures (or any pictures they want to share) or was involved with building construction or worked in the hostels or can help me with info on the actual hostels/camps rather than the people in them, that would be appreciated.

All and any assistance will be properly acknowledged and copyright will be respected.

Thankyou in anticipation.

Kind regards,
_________________
Jamie Varacalli
Golden Key Honour Society Member (top 15% of students worldwide)
National Archive internee
Honour candidate (English/History)

Len · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:

Hi Jamie
Welcome to our forums and good luck with your requests. I really hope that perhaps someone here can help.

Smile

Jamie · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 1:34 am Post subject:

Good morning Len,

Thankyou for your reply.

I have managed to do some preliminary research over the last few days and have gathered some good leads, but I only have locations for Finsbury, Rosewater and Gawler. re the others I am going to try the local council libraries/records as they must have done the rates assessments and planning approvals at the time. I really need the street addresses as a basis for my research.

It's amamzing that something so important to our cultural heratige has been forgotten. I can understand if some of the people who came out want to forget their experiences, but surely historians and state records have a duty to retain this information. Most dissapointing that there is not a single repository for this info.

Anyway, I'll continue my 'adventures'. Rolling Eyes

Cheers!

Jamie
_________________
Jamie Varacalli
Golden Key Honour Society Member (top 15% of students worldwide)
National Archive internee
Honour candidate (English/History)

Phyl · Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:49 pm Post subject:

Hi Jamie,
Though I wish I could help you I can't, even though I remember Finsbury and Glenelg Hostels I didn't go there though we were in hostels fpr 18 ands a half years and were transferred around.
I do agree with you when you say there should be more information about them ,kept fpr posterity.
I also was sad to know that so many of the new hostel buildings like East Hills were simply demolished. What a waste.Maybe because they were on federal land and not state.they couldn't be used by the state government
_________________
Kind regards,
Phyl

Jamie · Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 12:40 am Post subject:

Hi Phyl,

Thanks for your reply. Yes it is a pitty they were knocked down, it's almost like a 'cover-up'.

I'm slowly gathering more info though. I'm enjoying the 'quest'.

All the best,

Jamie
Very Happy

_________________
Jamie Varacalli
Golden Key Honour Society Member (top 15% of students worldwide)
National Archive internee
Honour candidate (English/History)

daweb1 · New Member Joined: 08 Sep 2009 Posts: 1

Jamie

I lived a street from Finsbury Hostel. I sold newspapers as a early teenager in the canteen. I attended Pennington Primary school where nearly all the migrant children went to. Interesting that SA handpicked primary school teachers to deal with new arrivals. They were brilliant educators and I would not be doing what I do now if it hadn't been for their mentoring. I playes soccer for their soccer team, cricket for their cricket team and was conflicted when we had the Pommy Wars -English kids vs Aussie kids, though these bouts never lasted long - we were all playing sport together and were friends.

BD

aussietrekker · Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 2:45 am Post subject:

Jamie, the Immigration Museum in Melbourne may be able to point you in the right direction.