Summary

Booklet entitled 'A Handbook of Tools of Trade', published by the Departmentt of Immigration, Australia, circa 1960s (undated). The booklet was provided to Hubert Halls, a carpenter by trade, probably before he left England for Australia or soon after arrival.

The booklet aims to assist tradespeople adapt to Australian working conditions, especially those of a non-English speaking background and shows the importance placed by the Department of Immigration on building a construction and manufacturing workforce. The booklet was produced to 'help the assimilation of migrant tradesmen...Migrants will recognise the tool from the drawing, and will read and learn its English name. Foremen and Australian workmates can help by pointing out in the booklet the tools that the migrants will use, and by helping him with the correct pronunciation.'

This item is one of a collection of material relating to the migration and settlement story of Hubert Halls who left Southampton for Melbourne on the MV Fairsea with his wife Dolly and five children in 1963. Hubert and his family lived on the Isle of Wight and he was a carpenter by trade.

Hubert had contracted polio and was ineligible for military service during WWII and he was employed to make coffins for deceased soldiers. In Australia he worked for the Melbourne City Mission until he retired. The collection also includes
two Fairsea shipboard newsletter/ information sheets, and 13 digital photographs featuring Hubert with workmates in England, a family portrait, dockside departure and activities onboard ship.

Physical Description

56 page bookletwith two staples at the spine, front cover with title.

Significance

This collection enables the representation through images and artefacts the working life of migrants prior to migrating to Australia and the skills and trades they brought with them. The booklet entitled 'A Handbook of Tools of Trade' published by the Commonwealth Dept of Immigration is an evocative example of methods used by the Australian Government to assist tradespeople adapt to Australian working conditions, especially those of a non-English speaking background. It also speaks to the importance placed by the Dept of Immigration on building a construction and manufacturing workforce. The booklet was produced to 'help the assimilation of migrant tradesmen...Migrants will recognise the tool from the drawing, and will read and learn its English name. Foremen and Australian workmates can help by pointing out in the booklet the tools that the migrants will use, and by helping him with the correct pronunciation.'

The shipboard photographs also document the kinds of activities and entertinments organised for passengers during their migrant voyages.

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