Summary

Newsletter, 'Anna Salen News', 5 April 1954.

This newsletter is one of a collection of 28 newsletters from the German passenger ship the 'Anna Salen' which are in an almost complete run from 13 March to 15 April 1954 (issues 14 March, 23, March, 4 April and 11 April are either missing or were not produced). Each issue consists of one typed, double-sided sheet, and a single frontice sheet for the collection was also produced, entitled: 'Anna Salen News' March-April 1954'.

The Jurss family (mother, father and three children) left Germany in March 1954 on the ship Anna Salen, travelling via the Suez Canal. The donor recalls the journey as very rough and the sleeping quarters like dormitories with women and men separated. Mr Jurss (a foundry/metal moulder) was sponsored by an Australian family who lived in Heidelberg. The family arrived in Melbourne and went immediately to Bonegilla Migrant Reception Centre and then Brooklyn Hostel. The donor attended school in Yarraville by bus from the hostel before the family moved to a rental house in Sunshine and then purchased a house in St Albans.

Physical Description

Cream-coloured sheet, printed both sides with black type and blue flaghead. Includes sketches.

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
Shipboard newsletters provided a lasting record of the journey, and were a way for passengers and crew to communicate, to broadcast events and activities, to unite the immigration experience amongst the passengers and often to record passengers and their cultural backgrounds. This collection is entirely in German and includes shipboard news, daily temperatures, longitudinal and latitudinal locations, and activities and events. They also include sketch illustrations of Australian native animals, ports of call scenes, Crossing the Equator celebration scenes, Australian cities and an impression of an Indigenous Australian.

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