Summary

Booklet entitled 'Scrooby Top to Inverloch' written by Jim and Mary Ward, published in October 2001 by Norman R. Deacon for the VIHL-ANDERSON INLET COLLECTION of the Inverloch Historical Society Inc, ISBN 1 876594 10 1.

The twenty page booklet describes the lives of Jim Ward and Mary Ward (nee Needham) growing up in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire, England and in Scrooby Top, Nottinghamshire respectively. It also describes their war years 1939-1945; living in Middlesbrough 1946-1961, their migration from England to Australia and their purchase of a holiday house in Inverloch in 1990. The booklet includes some of Mary Ward's poems, a photograph of Jim and Mary Ward at their 80th birthday celebrations and a timeline of the history of Scrooby Top. The cover artwork of oak and gum tree foliage is by Judith Burns.

Part of a large collection of material relating to the migration and settlement of British migrants to Australia in the 1960s under the 'Bring Out a Briton' Scheme. It documents in particular both the migration experiences of James and Mary Ward and their three children who arrived in Melbourne on the 'TSS Stratheden' from Yorkshire in December 1961; and the Burke Road East Malvern Methodist Church's sponsorship of a number of English families, including the Wards, under the Scheme. The Church's support included temporary accommodation for assisted families in a neighbouring house. The 'Bring Out a Briton' Scheme (1957-1982) was part of a Commonwealth Government initiative which offered subsidised ship fares, accommodation and support to encourage migration from the UK to Australia after World War II.

Physical Description

Booklet of 20 printed and stapled pages with a blue card cover printed in black ink with the title and drawings of oak leaves and acorns and gum leaves and nuts. A black and white photo of Jim and Mary Ward is included. A white price sticker is affixed to the back cover.

Significance

The Ward/Barlow Families collection is of national significance in documenting British assisted migration to Australia post-World War II. The collection provides a comprehensive snapshot from the commencement to completion of a British assisted migration experience and illuminates post-war immigration policies and procedures which favoured British immigration into Australia.

The collection of almost 400 items comprises a unique body of documentation with intersections between personal, community and government narratives that explore British post-World War II assisted migration. It includes photographs, personal correspondence, documents and objects offering a rare glimpse into the role of the Australian and British governments, Methodists Church sponsorship and community engagement in assisting and welcoming British immigrants to Australia. Assisted British migration was a constant theme of Australian immigration history until the early 1980s. Government initiatives such as the 'Bring Out A Briton' scheme had an enormous impact on the composition and size of the Australian population, making the Ward/Barlow collection of broad social and political historical significance.

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