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angela · Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:07 am Post subject: Angela - Cabramatta Hostel 1964

My family arrived in Australia March 1964. We were at Cabramatta Hostel. My parents names are John and Joan Watson they are now deceased. My siblings names starting from the oldest are Barry, Stuart, Christine my twin , Angela me and Duncan. I remember that my mother took some time to adjust to hostel living it was a great shock seeing those huts. She hated going to the dining hall, she soon invested in a electric frypan and a kerosene heater many a meal was cooked on those. We kids had a ball meeting new friends etc. We were in huts near the managers beside the toilet block can,t remember the number. We stayed for 2 years till mum and dad bought a home in Stonehaven pde Cabramatta. My sister and I played netball for the hostel are teams were called FLASHES and SHADOWS. We sometimes confused people if one of us was sick and the other would play for the other. I remember hanging out at the Wreck Hall the fellow who looked after it is name was Skip he had a lot of patience with us all. bye for now Angela
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angela hodge (watson)

Phyl · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 5:06 am Post subject:

Hi Angela,
You would have lived close to us on the hostel .My late husband was House Manager there in 1965,his Name was Tony Hobbs.We had three sons.
The 'Skip' would have been Neville Pitt a wonderful man with a ton of patience.
Great to read your post.
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Kind regards,
Phyl

marsy · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2010 5:19 am Post subject:

Hi Angela,
I forgot you had all those siblings!!
We have exchanged emails and it was so good to hear from you.
Yes, we too had an electric frypan etc and we use to cook in our hut too.
I think my Mum cried cry

for two years after our arrival in Australia because we too were ten pound poms and I think she was counting the days til she could go back to the UK again. She never did of course - well not to live anyway! Smile

I remember well your house in Stonehaven Parade. One party in particular sticks in my mind but I'm not sure why!
How the heck did you remember the names of the netball teams??
Hope to keep in touch.
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cheers
Maureen Smith (nee Bates)