Summary

Black and white photograph titled 'Children's Fancy Dress Party', it shows the Palmer and Godfrey children in fancy dress on the RMS Orion, taken March 1947. It is part of a leather-bound photo album created by George Palmer during his migrant voyage from England to Australia on the RMS Orion in 1947. George migrated to Australia with his wife Gertrude and their two daughters, Shirley and Lesley.

The photographs in the album record the Palmers' life in England, their voyage to Australia including ports, daily activities and shipboard views, and their arrival in Melbourne.

Description of Content

Four children in fancy dress costume on board RMS Orion. Pictured left to right is Jennifer Godfrey dressed as Columbine, Shirley Palmer a pirate, Lesley Palmer a poppy and Shirley Godfrey as Miss Orion 1947.

Physical Description

Black and white photograph printed on Kodak Velox photographic paper. Photograph is positioned at the top left of the album page.

Significance

This collection provides an invaluable record of one family's migration experience, from the first seed of desire to leave England, to the securing of employment, application processes, packing, departure, journey and immediate arrival in Melbourne. The journal is particularly rich in terms of its detailed account of daily shipboard life, including the descriptions of cabins, decks, interior spaces, facilities, lighting, food, mail systems, weather, ports, and activities. While not the actual original document, it is an immediate copy, contemporary to its time and reflects the significance of this rite of passage for the thousands of migrants who arrived in Australia during the post-war period. The photo album provides an evocative complimentary visual record of the experience.

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