“My Migrant Story”

Interview questions.

Where did your family came from?

            My family came from Lubeck, Germany. We left on the 16^th December 1958, from Bremerhaven.

Why did your family leave Germany?

            After the war, life wasn’t very good and there was fear of another war. Magdalena (my mother), had responsibility for us three daughters and at the time, Germany wasn’t a good place to bring up young women. Where we were living, was on the border of East Germany, people would try and cross the border and there were often raids. It wasn’t safe.

Why did you chose to come to Australia?

            My mother decided to immigrate to Australia because her sister and brother in law had already moved to Australia, they were happy. We came to Australia to reunite the family.

Who was instrumental in helping your family come to Australia?

            We travelled under Australian German Assisted Passage Program. Our application was accepted the second time.

When did you arrive here and what events were happening in the world at this time?

            We arrived in Melbourne on the 23^rd January, 1959. We first went to Bonegilla for two weeks and were then moved to Maribyrnong. We didn't have to stay at Maribyrnong very long as my mother had arranged that we could stay with my auntie and uncle. 
            Fidel Castro had just become the new leader of Cuba. Alaska had been named the 49th state of America. Walt Disney released the movie "Sleeping Beauty".