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Photographic Journal - BJ Watling, 'Journey to Australia and Life There', 1951-1961 Reg. No: HT 1105

Summary:: Photographic Journal complied by Benjamin James Watling, who immigrated to Australia from England in 1951 with his wife, Amy Ethel Amelia, and his daughters, Benita June and Jennifer Anne. When they migrated Benjamin and Amy were 47 and 51 respectively and the girls were 10 and 13.

The family decided to migrate as they were searching for more opportunities and a better life in a new country. Before deciding to migrate Benjamin was working in an accountant's office in Tilbury - the family lived in Grays in Essex. Their first choice was New Zealand but according to the family they weren't taking migrants at this time (however, this contradicts figures showing that NZ actually accepted 2873 assisted migrants from the UK in 1951); their second choice was South Africa but, according to the family, the Mau Mau unrest at the time affected immigration opportunities from the UK so they came to Australia.

Watling's came to Australia as ten pound tourists and arrived with a nest egg to establish themselves in Australia. They boarded the SS New Australia at Southampton, for a six week journey. A hospital ship, they were accommodated on D deck and food was rationed. The family recounts their amazement on reaching Australia of the abundance of food available. Due to the brewing Suez crisis the ship was escorted through the canal by two British naval ships.

The family came via Fremantle and Melbourne and got off at Sydney. Benjamin established a goods transport business which transported goods between Sydney and Melbourne. The family settled in Mullambimbi and purchased banana plantations in northern New South Wales. Benjamin and Amy eventually settled in Brisbane while Benita came to Melbourne. The family express their contentment at having ended up in Australia.
Description:: Standard lined exercise book with red cover. It contains 47 pages with photos and annotations, and there are 9 blank pages at end of book. Each page has 3 photos, attached by photo corners, and each with a hand written caption, clearly stating location and then a short comment. The photographs are 6.5 x 6.5cm and good to fair quality - amateur snapshots. The first page has single larger image of the ship 'SS New Australia'.
Acquisition Information:: Donation from Ms Benita Watling, 2003

Discipline:	History
Dimensions:	165 mm (Width), 205 mm (Length)

More information

Tagged with:	immigration, assisted immigration, immigrant voyages, ten pound tourists, station pier, benjamin james watling
Themes this item is part of:	Cultural Diversity Collection, Migration Collection, Transport Collection
Primary Classification:	MIGRATION
Secondary Classification:	Travel - Shipboard Life
Tertiary Classification:	diaries
Inscriptions:	Front cover inscribed: 'BJ Watling / Journey to Australia and Life There'
Author:	Benjamin Watling, Australia, 1951-1961