Franjo Podolsak

Story

The Last Victim of the Bleirgurg Massacre – Part 2 (from Yugoslavia to Australia)

Under amnesty in Yugoslavia for all those, who survived that massacre, I was offered along with a selected group of 2,000 officers to join Communist Party of Yugoslavia and to train Partisans in a newly formed military Academy in Belgrade.

However I concocted a story, which enabled me to postpone my decision in order to see my parents. On my return home, before Christmas in 1945, my mother hardly recognised me. I lost my weight considerably and according to her story, I looked like a ‘walking ghost’.

From 1945 – 1949, I crossed the border of Yugoslavia nine times helping friends to escape, the ‘working people paradise’. On the eve of New Year in 1949, I escaped too. My parent’s concern, especially my father had a great influence on my decision.

I arrived in Australia on the US warship, General Blake on Sunday night at Port Melbourne. Being 500th ship we were instructed to stay onboard, untill next day. On Monday, The Hon. Harold Holt, the Immigration Minister at that time made a welcome speech and after we were sent by train to the Bonegilla camp in Victoria.

My impression of Australia was like landing in an alien country. Its customs, language and a simple food was an unusual experience. I started to work at the Newport railway workshop’s canteen. As my English improved greatly, I was acting as an interpreter. Later on I worked as a custom clerk, studied Accountancy and was a Construction Manager, in my own building company, which I formed after the successful completion of home building certificate. I met and married Lidia, in 1953 also Croatian.

I am a widower now, still living in Melbourne, and have two grown up children and a grand daughter

Franjo Podolšak

2008

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