David Pearson on the step at Christmas time, 1963, Cabramatta Migrant Hostel, Cabramatta, NSW.

Photograph Information

DateBetween 1st January 1963 and 31st December 1963DescriptionDavid is sitting on the house step playing with a bird in a cage. Photograph appears to have been taken around the Christmas period, with the window showing the message "Merry Christmas to all". There is also an adult inside of the house but cannot be identified.PhotographerUnknownNotesMigrant camps, also known as holding centres were established after World War Two to accommodate displaced persons and assisted migrants. The 1950s was the era of ‘assimilation’ where migrants were expected to abandon their culture and language and ‘blend in’ to the Australian way of life. Migrant families could remain in the hostels from three to 12 months, and were given training to help them settle into the Australian community. Much of the early accommodation consisted of disused army camps. These were gradually replaced with proper buildings with improved facilities. The 1950s was the era of ‘assimilation’ where migrants were expected to abandon their culture and language and ‘blend in’ to the Australian way of life.
The Department of Labour and National Service ran the migrant hostels until 1948 when the Migrant Workers’ Accommodation Division was created to manage the centres. The Division was organised into three regional offices located in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide from which hostels throughout Australia were run. In January 1952, the operation of the hostels was handed over to Commonwealth Hostels Limited (CHL), a Commonwealth government owned company registered in Victoria. CHL operated until 1978.
Fairfield had two migrant hostels one in Villawood and one in Cabramatta. The Cabramatta hostel was bulldozed in 1989.

Details

Image ColourBlack & WhiteTypePrintOriginal Print AvailableYesAccessAppointment required to view printCopyright Owner(s)Fairfield City Council

Connections

CollectionCabramatta Migrant Hostel, Cabramatta, NSW.SuburbCabramattaRelated ItemsVillawood Migrant Hostel, Villawood, NSW.

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David Pearson on the step at Christmas time, 1963, Cabramatta Migrant Hostel, Cabramatta, NSW.