Philimon (Phillip) Darmo Oral History

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DescriptionThis interview consists of three audio recordings and transcripts. Philimon (phillip) Darmo was interviewed on 18 August 2010 at the Whitlam Library, Cabramatta by Marilyn Oshana. Interview SummaryPhilimon Darmo was born in a village called Harireh in Northern Iraq in August 1938. His father’s name was Golazer and his mother was Baneh. His father died in the 1940s leaving his mother to bring up 3 children.

Philimon’s early education was at nearby Bataseh and he moved to Kirkuk to finish his education. Kirkuk was very rich in oil fields and when he had finished school, he started an apprenticeship at Iraq Petroleum Company where he graduated after 5 years. He was also sent to the United Kingdom for extra training returning to Iraq in 1963. Following the military coup in Iraq there was much discrimination and Assyrians were finding it difficult to find work. Around this time, Phillip started making plans to leave Iraq.

He went to Germany for about a year, learnt the language, and befriended an Australian dentist who suggested that Australia be an alternative. He had wanted to remain in Germany but could not obtain a visa; he was successful in being accepted for Australia.

Philimon arrived in Australia in November 1964, flying Qantas from Frankfurt. He stayed with friends in Paddington, Sydney and after a week moved to Bondi Junction. From there he gained employment at one of the Rheem factories. Later he went to GEC as an assistant accountant. He remained there until 1970 and then moved to Comalco.

He bought a house at Fairfield as he liked the openness of the area as opposed to city living. His brother and his mother had followed him from Iraq. He had also become friendly with an Irish lady in London named Katherine and she followed him to Australia where they married in 1966 and had two children.

Philimon and other Assyrians who had migrated and now live in Fairfield decided to form the Assyrian Australian Club. The Assyrian people in the Fairfield area were particularly interested in assimilating as well as forming their own cultural clubs and their own churches. They have also built a retirement village and other churches and social clubs. The history of the Assyrian churches is well documented in his interview. Many Assyrian Australians educated their children in Assyrian history, language and culture and Philimon was involved in setting up all those activities. He tells in detail the story of the Nineveh Club, which at the time of this interview is named the Assyrian Australian Social Centre. He was also involved in gaining time for the Assyrians on radio.

In 1992, Philimon and his family left Fairfield and moved to Camden however, he still stayed connected to the Fairfield area.

Transcript

Interview Transcript - Philimon (Phillip) Darmo - Part 3

Interview Transcript - Philimon (Phillip) Darmo - Part 2

Interview Transcript - Philimon (Phillip) Darmo - Part 1

Audio

Interview with Philimon (Phillip) Darmo - Part 1

Interview with Philimon (Phillip) Darmo - Part 3

Interview with Philimon (Phillip) Darmo - Part 2

Details

IntervieweePhilimon (phillip) DarmoInterviewerMarilyn OshanaDate of interview18/08/2010DurationTotal interview 01:36:18Transcripts availableYesRightsFairfield City Council Access ConditionsAccess open for research, written permission required for personal copies and public use

Connections

Oral History ProjectAll Oral HistoriesThe Way We Were - People of FairfieldAssyrian CommunityCollectionThe Ashurbanipal Library Collection - Assyrian CommunityAssyrian Community