Oral histories
Follow the links below to listen to former child migrants talk about how their experiences have affected them, or read a transcript of each interview.
Shirley arrived in Sydney in 1950, aged 10, with Barnardo’s
Bill came to Australia in 1950 with the National Children’s Home
Eddie was 10 when he sailed to Australia with the Christian Brothers
Grace went to Australia in 1924, aged 12, with Barnardo’s
Dick was sent to the Rhodesia Fairbridge Memorial College in January 1947
Fred’s mother and uncle were sent to Canada with Quarriers in 1927
The interviews have been edited and reproduced courtesy Whistledown Productions Ltd.
You can also listen to some sounds of departure on the Departure page and the Fairbridge song on The shift to Australia page.
The Boy in the Lifebuoy
Tony Chambers was placed in care because his mother was struggling to make ends meet. Neither Tony nor his mother understood the full implications when they sent him to New Zealand aged 9 in 1951. He was lucky to be given a good life with a loving family. He always felt nostalgia for Britain and in 1965 returned for an emotional reunion with his mother.
Tony reflects on his experiences in the documentary 'The Boy in the Lifebuoy', produced by Sejal Deshpande, which you can watch here.
The Boy in the Lifebuoy from Sejal Deshpande on Vimeo.