Summary
Letter to Alex and Betty Barlow from Fred and Hazel Lawson of '19 Chepstow Close, Billingham, Cleveland, ST23 2EW', England, dated on receipt Dec.1980, advising of their difficult circumstances and requesting any help or ideas from the church members in Australia. Alex Barlow was the Secretary of the 'Bring Out a Briton' scheme for the Methodist Church Burke Road, East Malvern. Fred and Hazel Lawson had earlier been assisted by this church but had returned to England in 1972.
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
A letter of three sheets of paper, handwritten single-sided.
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.
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from William & Jennifer Barlow, 22 Feb 2012
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Other Association (See Comments)
Bring Out A Briton Committee, Australia, Dec 1980
Personal letter prepared in relation to the work of the Bring Out A Briton Committee. -
Other Association (See Comments)
Methodist Church, Inverloch, Victoria, Australia, Dec 1980
Personal letter prepared in relation to the work of the Methodist Church. -
Recipient
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Inscriptions
Handwritten in red ink at top, receipt date: '1./ DEC 1980', Letter, handwritten in blue ink: '19 CHEPSTOW CLOSE BILLINGHAM CLEVELAND ST 23 2EW /Dear Alex & Betty,/ I am Fred/ Lawson I hope you can remmember [sic] / us we looked after Malvern/ Church, we came back to UK 1972./ Well Alex The truth is we / dont want to be moaning/ Poms, but we are getting/ desperate .... (extensive text) ... Yours sincerely Fred & Hazel Lawson.'
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Classification
Migration, Processing - planning & departure, Correspondence
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
134 mm (Width), 175 mm (Height)
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Keywords
Migration Schemes, Immigration, English Immigration, Migrants, Assisted Immigration, Employment, Unemployment, Letters, Death & Mourning, Churches, Religions: Methodist, Community Organisations & Services