Summary

Letter from Rev. Walter Bampton, minister of Burke Road East Malvern Methodist Church to Mr and Mrs Ward, dated 15 September 1961. The letter welcomes the family and tells of Bampton's own English background (he emigrated from England in 1928), and assures them of the opportunities for all the family members and particularly for Patricia who wanted to become a teacher.This is one of a number of letters to the Ward family regarding their planned emigation to Australia from members of Burke Road East Malvern Methodist Church prior to their embarkation and/or arrival.

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

Single sheet of blue aerogramme paper, double-folded to provide a sealable letter with printed proforma envelope face with red and blue chevron border and a 10d Australian aerogramme stamp insignia. Postmark and addressee's and sender's name and address panels on reverse with two receipt date stamps. Letter typewritten in black ink continuously over both sides as two pages, with the writer's signature in blue ink. Addresses also typewritten in black ink.

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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