Summary

Pair of trousers worn by Bul Ayuel Bulkoch when he arrived in Melbourne as a Sudanese refugee in October 1996. Along with the shirt he was also wearing, it was all he owned, having distributed his other belonging amongst relatives and having to rush to catch the plane before it departed with his family from Nairobi.The trouser hems have been let down to lengthen the legs.

Bul Bulkoch was born in southern Sudan in 1983 in the same year the war in Sudan began. Bul and his family fled Sudan trekking through Ethiopia, back to Sudan and finally to Kenya, residing in refugee camps until finally successfully gaining acceptance to Australia as refugees. Bul was 13 when he arrived in Australia in 1996 with his parents, younger sister and brothers. When he arrived at Melbourne International Airport, he had only the clothes he was wearing. As an Australian teenager, Bul played basketball, made many friends, and completed his secondary education at Footscray City College. He went on to complete his university engineering degree and now works for Rio Tinto in Western Australia as a mining engineer and planner.

Physical Description

Brown polyester boy's trousers with front central leg pleats, waistband with belt hoops and zip and hook and eye waist fastener. Trouser legs stitched but no hems or cuffs. Inside label at waist has 'Starway' brand and materials and washing instructions. Front and back pockets.

More Information