Roy Buckley

Story

I was 33 years old when I left England, and could see no good outlook for my future in the gray drab industrial town of Oldham were I lived. I wanted a new start and Australia offered me the space, reward for my labour, sunshine and the encouragement to start a knew life. I must admit, though, I was very apprehensive at the thought of leaving my parents and siblings for a life at the other side of the world, but I did, and in these last 30 years I have not regreted that decision.

I left England on 3 March 1973 aboard the ship RMS Ellinas. The ship was full of 10 pound Poms, all bound for a new start, so we all shared the worries and hopes at what was to come. This in itself gave us much to discuss with each other. After suffering, as most of us did, from seasickness at the beginning of our voyage, I began to take part in some of the onboard activities but just to pass the time as I began to get so bored and just wanted to get to my destination. As regards food and drink it was the best 10 pounds worth I ever had.

It very warm on that day I docked, and to see so many houses in their own grounds so gave me hope for the future. The people I met were mostly kind and helpful. There was so much work around; in Dandenong, the town were I stayed, you could just walk from one job to another and I soon was employed. I must admit to feeling homesick at first, but within 4 months I purchased my first house.

I am now married to the most wonderful woman you could meet and she is Australian born. I was naturalized in 1982 and after all that as occured to me in Australia I can only say “This is the place for me”.

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