Jenny, Roger, Lisa, Emily Hoskins

Story

Living on the south coast of England the regular threat of IRA bombs in local shopping centres at the time caused concern for safety of our family, times were difficult financially, and the future did not look good at the time. We sold our house, packed up the girls’ toys and decided we would have an adventure and seek a better life for ourselves. This had been a dream for many years. We had lived away from our families for eight years and were used to managing without relatives in close proximity.

We flew from Heathrow to Sydney, where we had to change planes to fly to Melbourne. This flight stopped in India for about two hours then we were flying again. Our six year old sang when everyone was asleep, while our two year old found the flight difficult but managed to sleep more than her sister. Arriving at Melbourne we were sent to Maribrynong hostel with four other families.

The temperature was three degrees, no heating at the hostel. Youngest daughter refused to eat or drink. Luckily we had friends in the eastern suburbs and within two days we left the hostel and lived with this family in Knoxfield until we rented a house. Hostel had been almost full of some of the first Vietnamese boat people.

Australia still had the whites only policy which was strange given that we had come from a multicultural country.

Adopted the attitude of speaking to everyone we met, this being easy when you have children, always served on school councils, great way to become integrated.

Our oldest daughter started school in Ferntree Gully, having completed one year in the UK she was more advanced than others her age which meant she went through school a year ahead. This first school she had an American exchange teacher which caused some issues with spelling. The English accent was ditched within six weeks to help her settle, she objected to being called a “pom”.

Work was found easily and we settled in to this different life. Roger in retail, Jenny disability and later community health. Education has been continuous, Lisa and Emily both went to university, one now a school teacher the other a journalist. We were never able to get financial support for schooling etc so both girls worked from the age of fifteen to

pay through university.

We came for two years and are still here, family numbers have increased we have sons-in-law and two grandchildren. We enjoy the more relaxed lifestyle and the opportunities to achieve a better lifestyle.

The downside is being away from family particularly at times of serious illness but have managed many trips back in times of need. We all travel overseas regularly to explore new countries.

The hardest time over the years has been Christmas, coming from reasonably large families we found Christmas very lonely, better now there are more of us.

Not many family have been out from the UK for a visit as the trip is deemed to be too long. Skype brings them closer regularly.

We have traveled this country extensively still lots more to see as we approach our retirement.

Still miss family and friends at times, having worked hard we have done OK. Australia best place to live!

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