Summary

Letter from Hans Hukom in Jakarta, Indonesia to Richard and Edith Winnett in Gundagai, New South Wales, dated 20 June, 1969. He asks them to pass on this letter to the Bishop (referred to in letter HT 57016). It included a small photo of Hans taken 13/2/69 (MM153597). Hans refers to the World Council of Churches who are helping people come to Australia, including the Costa family friends whom he believes are less qualified than him. It lists his work experience and qualifications, willingness to work for a charity, and ongoing hopes for the future.

This is one of a collection of 40 documents and four photographs relating to the unsuccessful attempts by Hans Hukom, an Indonesian citizen, to migrate to Australia between 1968 and 1972.

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
This collection and its associated story explores notions of absence in both the museum's collection and in the national migration narrative. Having the intent to migrate defines these experiences as Australian stories (like the stories of asylum seekers) but they are easily overlooked as such. Hans Hukom's documents provide an insight, at times frustrating and poignant, into one person's attempts to seek approval to immigrate, the vagaries of bureaucracy, and the likely influence of the White Australia policy in his ultimate lack of success, still officially in force at that time.

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