Summary

A children's craft activity featuring a handpainted horse outlined with orange wool stitches. The repetition of the word 'horse' in four languages suggests a language learning activity as well. It was one of many activities provided for children onboard the P&O liner S.S Strathaird and this card was made by Sirpa Hakkinen during her migrant voyage from London to Australia September-October, 1960.

Sirpa Sinikka Hakkinen left Finland at the age of eight with her parents Taisto Kalervo and Marjatta Hakkinen and her five year old brother Ari on a ferry bound for Sweden and then trains and ferries to London to board the 'Strathaird which departed Tilbury on 13 September 1960. They had considered migrating to America but decided upon Australia. They sailed via the Suez Canal and commenced learning English during the voyage before finally arriving in Melbourne and being sent to Bonegilla Migrant Reception Centre in northern Victoria.

Physical Description

Piece of white card with a horse handpainted with brown paint standing on painted green ground and outlined with orange woollen stictches.

Significance

It is challenging to represent the experiences of migrant children through testimony and material culture and this collection of children's shipboard menus, photographs and toys enables the museum to explore themes of children's experiences during migrant voyages, food consumed, activities participated in and objects brought with them.

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