Wallgrove Migrant Camp
After World War II, many Europeans chose to migrate to more appealing, safe, and accessible locations—one location was Australia. Between 1945 and 1965, more than two million migrants moved to Australia assisted by the Australian Department of Immigration’s, large-scale migration program. The Australian Government paid some or most of the fare for these migrants to relocate to Australia.
Immediately after WW2, a large number of migrants known as Displaced Persons from Eastern Europe (including Poland, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Ukraine, Czechoslovakia and Hungary) fleeing from persecution in Soviet countries migrated to Australia. In the late 1950s and 1960s, they were followed by a large number of migrants from western Europe and Britain. These migrants worked on many large scale projects including the building of the Snowy Mountains hydroelectricity scheme to ‘protect Australia from external threat and encourage prosperity’. Assisted migration to Australia in the 1960s mainly attracted British migrants. These migrants were known as “10 pound Poms" as the cost of an adult ticket was 10 pounds and children were free.
During this time, many army camps across Australia were used as migrant hostels. NSW State records note that the Wallgrove Migrant Hostel officially opened in April 1950, and closed in December 1952.The Wallgrove Migrant Hostel was one of 36 hostels in NSW. Migrants were usually allowed to stay for three to twelve months, while they searched for work, and more permanent housing. The hostels often provided new migrants with some training to help them adjust to life in the Australian community.
While official records are not readily available, sources indicate that the Wallgrove Hostel was once again in operation in the early 1960s to house British migrants. During its peak time of use, Wallgrove hostel could house around 2,500 people, with four separate dining halls in use. Rental costs at Wallgrove Migrant Hostel were reportedly 3 pounds a week for a working man, 2 pounds for his wife and 1 pound for a child. Migrants were also entitled to government benefits including child endowment (family allowance), free hospital care and other social services.
Unlike larger migrant camps like Bonegilla in Victoria and Bathurst in NSW most of the Wallgrove camp accommodation was in former army buildings. Life in migrant camps would have been tough at times, having travelled far across the world to a foreign country, housed in ex-army facilities, with other migrants from all over Europe, many of whom did not speak English.
Transfer of new migrants between NSW camps was common, and many families feared separation. Unfortunately this was a valid concern. Often working men were moved to camps closer to, or better connected by transport to their places of work, including Villawood or Matraville, while their families were transferred to more remote camps such as Wallgrove to live. While it is likely that the option for working men to live with their families at Wallgrove was provided, transport to and from Wallgrove was limited, for example, Rooty Hill Station, was over an hour's walk away. The distance from work for those working closer to the Sydney CBD, would have made this move difficult to maintain their job, while remaining with their families.
For some Blacktown residents, Wallgrove Migrant Hostel was their first home in Australia, and holds a very special place in their hearts. Former residents of the hostel eventually found permanent homes, lives and jobs in the Blacktown area and continue to contribute to the diverse and dynamic culture that is Blacktown.
Sources:
Australian Government, April 2015, ‘The Changing Face of Modern Australia- 1950s to 1970s’, http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/changing-face-of-modern-australia-1950s-to-1970s
Accessed 8 December 2016
Pullen, C.,2014, ‘Post World War II British Migration to Australia’, Museums Victoria Collections http://collections.museumvictoria.com.au/articles/13640
Accessed 29 November 2016
NAA, Migrant hostels in New South Wales, 1946-78- Fact Sheet 170, from http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/fact-sheets/fs170.aspx
Accessed 12 December 2016
‘Visitor from Penrith, England’ (1961, January 19).Nepean Times (Penrith, NSW : 1882 - 1962), p. 1., from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article100979920
Retrieved December 8, 2016
‘MIGRANT HOSTELS KEPT EMPTY’ (1958, August 27).The Biz (Fairfield, NSW : 1928 - 1972), p. 32. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article190214151
Accessed December 8, 2016
‘Conditions at Migrant Hostel Under Fire’ (1951, March 15). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 4. from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206384196
Accessed December 8, 2016
‘Migrants Fear Separation In Camp Shift’ (1951, February 28). The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954), p. 1., from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article157884574
Accessed December 7, 2016
Immigration Place- Australia, Victor & Roseline Bryan, from: http://immigrationplace.com.au/story/victor-roseline-bryan/
Accessed December 7, 2016
Authorship: This history was prepared by Curio Projects, with valuable input from Mary Ternes, Jan Herivel and Jackie West of BCC Library, for the site at 60 Wallgrove Road, Minchinbury, on behalf of Mirvac.