Ten pound poms

[happy daze john in oz]

In my work as a volunteer at the local Community Health Centre I meet with a variety of people.

One of the new guys on the Friday group is a Pom from Lester now 88 years old he came out here in the 50's as a 'Ten pound Pom'.

He and his wife came out on the 'New Australia' on what was her last voyage before going for scrap.
All men and women were segregated then, he was in a cabin with three other men and his wife in with three other females.

He told of some fairly tough and rough events on board. The first stop was Durban and as he tells it most of the crew went ashore and came back as full as boots. Many unable to work for the rest of the day so the passengers had to make do as best they could with what food was available.

On the journey rom them regular fights amongst the crew making life very difficult for the passengers.
They stopping Freemantle next where a dozen or so jumped ship.

The on to Melbourne. There they were taken to the 'Maribyrnong, holding center where the segregation continued. I have seen this place and consider some of the prisons would be in better condition.
Once they found work then allowed to leave and find somewhere to live.

It was tough back then for any one coming here to Oz, and the Ten Pound went on into the late 60's or even early 70's.

Did any of you work on any of the migrant ships and if so what wee your experiences like.

[David Williams]

Hi John.
I did one trip on the ORCADES back in the 50s,full
of £10.00 emigrants.As far as I remember I got on
very well with them,
Dave Williams

[Dennis McGuckin]

Iberia, in the 50ies.
Never heard of any problems.
I was aboard when a Tanker hit us in the Indian Ocean.
It was night time, and we must have stood out like a Karzi in the desert.
Had to go to Ceylon for repairs.