Summary

Hand-made card and envelope, designed and made by Jen Barlow, daughter of Jim and Mary Ward and dated 2 October 1980.

The card is a 'lift-the-flap' hand-drawn Australian flag with other illustrations of Australian culture underneath given to Jim and Mary Ward on the occasion of their becoming Australian Citizens. Inside the card is a poem about becoming Australian and a congratulatory message to 'Mum & Dad' (i.e. Jim and Mary Ward) from their daughter and her family: 'Jen, Bill, Jeremy & Nicholas.'

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

Hand-made card of single-folded paper with red, white and blue coloured Australin flag on the cover and 5 lift-up flaps with small drawings beneath showing a kangaroo in Collingwood jumper, cork hat, lamington and pavlova, champagne bottle and a train station sign. Handwritten poem and message inside. Accompanying buff-coloured envelope with blue and red letted message.

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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