Willaston Migrant Hostel

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Place type:	Building
Town or Locality:	Willaston

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Willaston Migrant Hostel

After World War II the Air Force buildings at Willaston were used as accommodation for a Migrant Hostel. Migrants came from Central and Eastern Europe (so called, Displaced Persons), and then a second wave from the United Kingdom. Willaston was selected as there was a railway line nearby to enable migrants to travel to their employment. Accommodation was rent free until residents found their first jobs.

The Bunyip on December 2nd, 1949 reported that- “New arrivals at Hostel all placed in employment. Some have begun work in local industries, whilst the majority have gone to city manufacturing concerns such as General-Motors Holdens Ltd, and Chrysler-Dodge Ltd.” The paper mentioned that a Serbian civil engineer was working at a glass factory, a draughtsman and surveyor had obtained work at an asbestos works. There was also a lawyer and music conductor. With this intake there were 400 people at the hostel, including 85 married couples. Some women were employed by the Timer factory in Gawler. The hostel closed in September 1952, with the last tenants moving to either the Glenelg or Finsbury Hostels. Some 50 migrants were able to find accommodation in the Gawler area.

The post-war period was a bleak time for some, with a lack of housing and work. Derek Whitelock in his book “Gawler: Colonel Light’s Country Town” stated that none of the thousand houses in Gawler was unoccupied and that 150 families were sharing homes with one or more other families. No new building had been erected in Willaston for ten years. On 13th May 1955, The Bunyip announced that the Migrant Hostel would be re-opening. “It is understood the Migrant Hostel at Willaston will be reopened next month. About 700 migrants are expected to occupy the buildings. Most of them will be married couples. The majority of newcomers will be British, it is believed.”

In January 1956, the Bunyip reported the arrival of over 300 British migrants to the Gawler (Willaston) Hostel. They had travelled from England on the Italian liner “Fairsea” and were brought to Gawler by bus. Statements of welcome were issued by the Mayor, Mr. E.C. Goodger and other civic leaders. The local branch of the Good Neighbour Council organised a social at the hostel on Saturday 14th January 1956. The social programme included musical items, dancing and supper .Over 500 people attended the social, including 300 migrants and 200 locals. A further 8 migrant families arrived in February, travelling from England on the “Iberia”. Further families arrived in March 1956, travelling from England on the “New Australia”. They arrived in Melbourne and then travelled by rail to Adelaide and then on to the hostel.

Over time, some families remained in the area, whilst others moved to Elizabeth and Salisbury to work in industries like General Motors-Holden.

Click here to view photos of Willaston Migrant Hostel.

Click Here to read the news release regarding the new book

Click here to read the interview conducted by Judy Gillett- Ferguson with Jeff Turner, the Author of the book "This'll Do!" based on the history of Willaston Migrant Hostel

In the 6/2019 Queens Birthday Honours list Jeff Turner was awarded an OAM. Congratulations Jeff.

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Related Articles

• Willaston - World War II
• Willaston

References

jarvis_street_migrant_hostel_1949

willaston airforce camp Migrant Hostel 1954

Stella Hasiuk, Hon Tony Piccolo MP, and Felicia Kiryk

[Photo 11] Royal Australian Air Force Base, Willaston, living quarters, ca.1945. Photograph courtesy of Fred Brooks (2)

[Photo 8] Royal Australian Air Force Base, Willaston, showing sleeping quarters on the left and boiler house in the centre. Ca. 1945. Photograph by K. Stojko. Courtesy of Fred Brooks

[IPhoto 28] [Margaret] Margot Klinkoski and lifelong friend Brenda Rawlings, Smithfield Hostel, date unknown. Photograph courtesy of Margot Klinkoski

[Photo 37] On board SS Protea, 1949. Roman Kiryk is centre back. Photograph courtesy of Felicia and Roman Kiryk

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