Summary

Black and white photograph showing Michael Clarke and an unknown friend at the Nunawading Migrant Hostel, 1958-1959.

Michael and his family came out from Nuneaton, Warwickshire England, in 1958 as part of the Assisted Migration Scheme. The family lived at the Nunawading Migrant Hostel for 18 months until they had the money to put a deposit on a house. Michael had two younger brothers and two younger sisters. He was approximately 15 years old when the photograph was taken. The huts in the background were known as 'Nissen huts' and were divided into four units. Michael's family were given two units, as they were such a large family.

Nissen huts were developed during World War I by Major Peter Norman Nissen of the 29th Company Royal Engineers, UK. They were used extensively by the Allies during World War II for military camps and airbases. Pre-fabricated, and made simply from corrugated steel in the shape of a half cylinder, Nissen huts were cheap to make, and easy to transport and erect. After World War I Nissen huts helped to solve the housing shortage, and were widely used as migrant housing.

Description of Content

Two boys standing leaning on a tree, in front of a Nissen hut. A car is parked between huts in the background.

Physical Description

Digital image file. A digital photograph was taken of the original black and white print.

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