The Original Ten Pound Pom

By John Brown

The Ten Pound Pom - John Brown - A Compact Biography

Australia in the 1960s promoted itself as the "land of opportunity" with abundant job opportunities, a better climate, and a higher standard of living. The Australian government aimed primarily, to attract skilled workers, particularly in engineering, construction, and healthcare sectors, to support its rapidly growing economy.

John's account of what it was like to go through the process as teenager, is told with humour, clarity and pathos..
He opens the door on a world that has long passed, yet in so many ways, is more relevant today than ever.
A great pick up read, you get a true feeling of what it was actually like to be a £10 Pom.

The book includes images from this period, making the whole reading experience even more enjoyable.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rabbit Books
• Release date: May 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223895718

John Brown

John Brown (1800-1859) was a staunch abolitionist who came to believe that violence and coercion was the only way to stop the scourge of slavery in the United States. Fiercely religious and believing himself to be the instrument of God sent to earth to personally abolish slavery, Brown led a life of activism and violent resistance, finally deciding that the best way to set off a slave liberation movement would be to capture the Federal armory at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, arm the slaves and then lead a violent rebellion that would sweep through the southern states. During the raid, in October of 1859, five men were killed and many more injured, but Brown and his forces did indeed take over the armory. Very few slaves joined his revolt, however, and the armory was soon retaken by the local militia and US Marines, the latter led by Robert E. Lee himself. Brown was tried immediately, found guilty and hanged in December of 1859, the first person to be executed for treason in the United States. John Brown delivered the following speech at the conclusion of his trial on November 2, 1859. He would be executed a month later and become a hero and martyr to the abolitionist cause.

Book preview

Content

Introduction 

Chapter 1  New Horizons     

Chapter 2  Surf & Snakes 

Chapter 3  The Brown Eyed Girl 

Chapter 4  The Australian Wave     

Chapter 5  To Coober Pedy 

Chapter 6  Overland     

Chapter 7  Farewell to Oz 

Introduction

The Assisted Passage Migration Scheme was created in 1945 by the Chifley Government and its first minister for immigration, Arthur Calwell, as part of the Populate or Perish policy of Australia.

In the early 1950s, Australia initially focused on attracting European migrants, particularly displaced persons and refugees. However, as the European economies recovered and their own labour markets stabilized, the Australian government turned its attention to the British population.

The ‘Ten Pound Pom’ programme, implemented by the Australian government, was a significant immigration initiative, that aimed to address the country's labour shortage and bolster its economic growth. This program offered a unique opportunity for British citizens to migrate to Australia for a nominal fee of ten pounds, hence the name Ten Pound Pom.  

Australias’ Needs

Following World War II, Australia experienced a pressing need to rebuild its population and develop its industries. The country aimed to attract skilled migrants to fill labour shortages, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, and construction. The Australian government actively pursued a population growth policy to support economic expansion, and immigration played a crucial role in achieving this goal.

The programme, introduced in 1945, sought to entice British citizens to migrate to Australia. It offered subsidized passage to the land down under for a nominal fee of only ten pounds, which covered the cost of the sea journey. This program made it significantly more affordable for families to relocate to Australia compared to the regular fare, which was considerably higher. The only condition placed on this generous arrangement was, if you returned before 2 years, you had to pay this initial outward fare back to the Australian Government.

This in essence, was a fair deal. The authorities knew that many people would be homesick and may make a dash for home! Bearing in mind, a single ticket was over £200 in the 1960s and the bulk of the migrants were families, this would have meant a pay back of approximately £1,000 and a further £1,000 pound for the return fare. So, it goes without saying, that, most families toughed it out.

Australia at this time, promoted itself as the  land of opportunity with abundant job opportunities, a better climate, and a higher standard of living. The Australian government aimed primarily, to attract skilled workers, particularly in engineering, construction, and healthcare sectors, to support its rapidly growing economy.

My own father was a tailor by trade, so was not high on the list of trades needed at this time.

However, he did have one advantage that gained him the valuable points for acceptance, he had 3 sons all under the age of twenty – pure magic in Australian eyes.

The migration process involved several steps. Eligible applicants had to complete an application form, provide necessary documentation, and undergo health and character assessments. Finally, they had to have a moderate amount of money on landing, in OZ. Once approved, migrants were free to start preparations for their life changing trip.

The programme facilitated a significant demographic shift in Australia's population. Over a period of two decades, around one million British citizens migrated to Australia, fundamentally altering the cultural landscape of the nation. The British influence on Australia's society, institutions, and even its accent and language has endured to this day.

For many migrants, the decision to leave Britain and settle in Australia was not without challenges. They faced the emotional strain of leaving behind family and friends, adapting to a new environment, and encountering unfamiliar cultural norms.  

The Australian’s were not without some thought for their new arrival. There was a choice of how you travelled to Australia. You could either take the plane and with a short stopover in Singapore, you would be in your ne homeland within approx. 48 hrs. The other alternative and the one we settled on, was to travel by ship. The average time for this method of transport, was three weeks and four days.

There were two major shipping lines covering the Anglo – Australia route at this time. P&O and The Sitmar Line. We travelled by the latter, an Italian company who had purchased a number of ex war shisp from the USA and transformed them into cruise ships. By my recollection they had four such vessels – The Fairsky, The Fairsea, The Castel Felice and their flagship, The Fairstar.

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The Fairsky

They were in fairness rather nice ships, with the exception of the Castel Felice, which was a bit of an old tug. They were crewed by Italians and great fun they were too. The ship had the usual facilities, swimming pool, sports deck, library and cinema. The dining rooms were full white-linen service and the food was excellent. With two or three stops along the way and the customary crossing the Eqator ceremony adhered to, the whole trip was great fun.

This was the sweetener. In complete contrast, the hostel (our temporary accommodation was the complete opposite of the luxury, we had quickly assimilated to).

The place was stark, wooden walled and tin roofed, the accommodation brought everybody down to earth with a crash.

In fairness to the Aus’ Government, there was method in their madness. These places were not intended for long stay occupation, they wanted you to get your act into gear and start building your life pronto. This we did as a family in very short order – see later chapter.

The scheme reached its peak in 1969, when more than 80,000 migrants took advantage of the scheme. In 1973 the cost to migrants of the assisted passage was increased to £75 (equivalent to £965 in 2021). The scheme was finally ended in 1982.

This was the princely sum required by the then Australian government to transport you to a new life in the sun.

As the front door to our little Cheshire home closed-to for the last time, a new world beckoned via Southampton and a cruise of some three weeks and four days, before being deposited in the ‘Promised Land’. The month was February and the Year 1965. Waterloo Station was still draped in mourning black following the state funeral of Sir Winston Churchill two days previously. This greatest of Englishmen had taken his last journey from the very place where I was about to set off on my future life in the sun. Like most ironies in life, only in retrospect does their profundity become apparent. I remember very little of the physical journey from Waterloo to Southampton. What I do remember however, was a palpable emptiness, having left everything held dear to me behind.

My mood changed from one of reflection to one of anticipation as the long train trundled into the station at Southampton Docks. In the near distance the majestic funnels of the Cunard and P.& O. liners suddenly appeared above the roofs of the port buildings. A large gateway led to passport control and beyond this area sat the m.v. Fairsky, a pristine white cruise-liner of the Italian, Sitmar Fleet, a regular on the Anglo-Australasian route, and my home for the next twenty five days. I remember the steep gangplank with its white posts and chain-linked safety rails, which led to a sparkling reception area on B deck, where we were greeted by a rotund Italian purser. Within twenty short minutes, having completed all formalities, we were escorted by a rakish steward to our cabins. I was to share a cabin with my brother James, and although the area wasn’t grand it was well appointed, and like everything onboard the Fairsky it was spotless. If cleanliness is next to Godliness, then this was ‘Maritime Heaven’. 

Unpacking could wait, I was off to explore! Along corridors, up and down staircases, back to front (sorry bow to stern) I surveyed this wonderful ship. There were cinemas, swimming pools, bars, shops and a games deck. The Fairsky wasn’t huge, just under 20.000 tons, but she had everything you needed for a three week journey, plus a crew of happy smiling Italians. The afternoon raced by in discovery and by 4.00 p.m. the white liner was ready to set sail. On the quayside a small band played a medley of rousing tunes, and as custom demanded we on board were handed rolls of coloured streamers to throw to the people below. Frantic farewells were shouted from the dockside to the ship and vice versa, in the vain hope of being heard above the general mayhem.