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Barbara & John Woods, British Migrants, 1957
Image: Photograph - John and Barbara Woods, Melbourne, 1958
Source: Museum Victoria
Barbara and John Woods migrated to Australia from England in 1957.
They had married in 1955 when Barbara was 19 years old, following a whirlwind romance. They lived with extended family in commission housing in Little Missenden, Buckinghamshire. While John had secure employment in sales and Barbara in finance, they were unable to obtain their own house. This motivated them to migrate to Australia, which they chose over Canada for its warmer climate.
They migrated on an Australian government assisted passage scheme, paying ten pounds for each ticket, in exchange for agreeing to remain in Australia for at least two years. Over one million 'ten pound tourists' or 'ten pound Poms' migrated to Australia from Britain between 1947 and 1972.
Barbara and John Woods travelled on the Sitmar Line MV Fairsea from Southampton and Barbara's diary describes their journey as a mixture of excitement, boredom and exotic foods and ports.
John had been selected to work for Foys department store in Melbourne but the job didn't start immediately. When they arrived they went through the Commonwealth Labour Exchange in Preston; John started as a tram conductor (which lasted 6 weeks) and Barbara was employed at Nylex industries in Abbotsford. They first lived in a flat in Fairfield and then in 1960 purchased two blocks in Thomastown and built their house where they still live today.
The Barbara and John Woods Collection comprises documents and photographs that provide a comprehensive insight into the Woods' immigration experience, from the issuing of their passage tickets, to their arrival in Melbourne. The collection includes the migration promotional booklets given to the Woods, tickets, ship menus, government booklets and documents received upon arrival, a handbag purchased from the side of the ship in Port Said, Egypt and photographs taken during the voyage.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 51 - 57) 57 items
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Photograph - John Woods on Deck of MV Fairsea, 1957
John Woods sitting on the deck on board MV Fairsea, 1957. Barbara and John Woods migrated to Australia as assisted migrants from Buckinghamshire on the MV Fairsea in 1957. The Barbara ...
Images: 2 -
Photograph - Fremantle Wharves, Western Australia, 1957
View of Fremantle wharves and buildings, taken from MV Fairsea, October 1957, by John Woods. Barbara and John Woods migrated to Australia as assisted migrants from Buckinghamshire on ...
From: Fremantle, Australia Images: 1 -
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Photograph - MV Fairsea in Port, Fremantle, Western Australia, 1957
View of MV Fairsea docked in Fremantle, October 1957. Barbara and John Woods migrated to Australia as assisted migrants from Buckinghamshire on the MV Fairsea in 1957. The Barbara and ...
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Photograph - Fremantle Wharves, Western Australia, 1957
View of Fremantle wharves and buildings, taken from MV Fairsea, October 1957, by John Woods. Barbara and John Woods migrated to Australia as assisted migrants from Buckinghamshire on ...
From: Fremantle, Australia Images: 2 -
Photograph - Trade Boats Alongside MV Fairsea, Port Said, Egypt, 1957
Trade boats or 'bum boats' next to the MV Fairsea, Port Said, 1957. Barbara and John Woods migrated to Australia as assisted migrants from Buckinghamshire on the MV Fairsea in 1957. Th ...
Images: 1 -
Postcard - MV Fairsea, Genoa, 1957
Postcard of the MV Fairsea, Sitmar Lines, circa 1957. Collected by immigrants Barbara and John Woods, who migrated from Buckinghamshire on the MV Fairsea in 1957. The Barbara and John ...
From: Genoa, Italy Images: 6 -
Receipt - Passage for John & Barbara Woods, 1957
Receipt for 20 pounds for the assisted passage of John and Barbara Woods, issued by Commonwealth of Australia, Australia House, Strand, London WC2. Receipt dated 1 May 1957. The receip ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 3
