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A Past Owner or User Melbourne, Australia
A Past Owner or User Melbourne, Australia

Passbook - Commonwealth Savings Bank, Myerscough, 1963-1964 Reg. No: HT 13700

Summary:: Alternative name: Bank Book.

Depositor's passbook issued by the Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia, Bourke St, Melbourne Branch to John and Doreen Myerscough, dated 5/9/63 - 25/3/1964. This passbook reflects the Myerscough's financial transactions during their short migrant stay in Australia, before permanently returning to England in 1965.

John and Doreen Myerscough migrated to Australia from Liverpool in England with their daughters Jill and Julie on 20 November 1963. Searching for greater opportunities and with savings behind them, they took advantage of the Australian Government's 'Nest Egg Scheme'. They were also assisted ten pound migrants. The family sailed on the P&O Orient Line SS Canberra and settled in Melbourne where the climate was said to be similar to that of England. They transferred directly to Altona Migrant Hostel and ended up staying there (most unusually) for two years. John worked on the Geelong-Melbourne oil pipeline, in construction, and as a sub-contractor all over Victoria installing ceilings. Doreen had another baby Paul and later worked at Rothman's cigarette factory in Brooklyn. The couple purchased a block of land in Melton, promoted as a growth suburb, but the potential for isolation, as well as the couple's inability to really get ahead, made them decide to give up the dream and return to England. They paid their full fares, sold their land and returned to Liverpool on the P&O Orient Line SS Oriana on 21 January 1966. However, the challenges they experienced inspired them to strive and succeed, and John and Doreen have subsequently become frequent tourist visitors to Australia.
Description:: Soft card cover passbook. Grey cover with blue text. Two staples. Banking details written in pen with bank stamps for each deposit. Details account name, number, date and amounts of deposits, totals and branch stamps. Dated 5/9/63 - 25/3/1964.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Mrs Doreen Myerscough, 2007

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	9.20 cm (Width), 13.00 cm (Length)

More information

Tagged with:	banking industry, migrant hostels, nest egg scheme, return migration, shipping lines
Themes this item is part of:	Migration Collection, Transport Collection
Primary Classification:	MIGRATION
Secondary Classification:	Settlement - Banking & Finance
Tertiary Classification:	financial records
Inscriptions:	Text, front cover: Commonwealth/Savings Bank/of Australia/DEPOSITOR'S PASSBOOK/BOURKE STREET/MELBOURNE, VIC./No. 98999.
Past Owner or User:	Mrs Doreen Myerscough, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1963-1964
Past Owner or User:	Mr John Myerscough, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1963-1964