Summary

Digital photograph of the corner of Adelaide Street and Parry Street in Fremantle, Western Australia, on 8 December 1961 during the Ward family's visit to Perth during their voyage from England. A large tree and a monument at this intersection are shown and St Patrick's Basilica Roman Catholic Church (1900) and Presbytery are shown in the background. One of 84 digital photographs relating to the Ward family migration experience including their life in England, their voyage in 1961 to Australia and their settlement in Melbourne.

The large tree at the intersection is a Morton Bay Fig and was planted on 21 October 1890, by His Excellency Sir W. F. Robinson, Governor, on the occasion of the granting of Responsible Government to Western Australia. It is known as the Proclamation Tree.The adjacent Memorial is a Celtic-type cross carved in 1901 in stone by P.G. Porcelli and V. Reilly to a design by architects C.L. Oldham and J.H. Eales. The Memorial, erected by public subscription, commemorates William Edward Marmion (1845-1896), a prominent citizen.

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.

Description of Content

A street intersection with cars crossing, including a 'Holden' (part shown) and a semi-trailer approaching, The view includes a large tree and a stone monument at the interesection and further down the street, a seminary building and a sandstone cathedral.

Physical Description

Digital photograph.

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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