Beatrice Manoukian
| Town/City | Melbourne |
|---|---|
| First name | Beatrice |
| Last name | Manoukian |
| Country of Origin | Armenia |
| Date of Birth | 3/10/1950 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1964 |
| Submitted by | Beatrice Manoukian |
Story
I am of Armenian origin but was born in Egypt. In 1956 the political climate changed in Egypt and many non-Egyptians started the migration process to far away places such as Canada and Australia. We were one of the last one to leave Egypt. We were not allowed to take much with us at the time, so everything we owned, our home, furniture, my dad’s superannuation were left behind. We arrived to our new home with a total sum of 70 pounds.
Leaving family and friends was one of the hardest emotional hurdle we had to face – knowing the chance of seeing them again in the near future was highly unlikely. As we left Egyptian waters and entered the Indian Ocean we could hear sighs of relief mixed with excitement of the unknown and a new home awaiting at the end of our journey.
It was a long jouney on a ship called Sydney. I was 13. Too old to play with the kids and too young to join the adults. I spent my time examing every inch of my floating home, day-dreaming about the new friends I was about to make whilst missing those I left behind.
The Port of Melbourne was a truly ugly sight back in 1964. It was January 16. Summer. We were all wearing light clothing but all of a sudden it began to rain. I was freezing. So I opened my suitcase to put on my new red coat only to find out it no longer fitted me. I had shot up within the 28 days of our journey.
Everywhere on the pier people were being greeted by loved ones and carted away. But we knew no one. So dad piled us up in a yellow cab and we headed to our new home in Toorak Road. Not that we knew Toorak from Geelong in those days.
The long stretch of road was hilly and green with trees and front lawns. So much green.
Our new home was made out of wood and had many rooms with a backyard with trees. I was born in a high rise apartment and the only trees I had seen were in public gardens.
It did not take long for us to learn the new language, customs and make new friends. However getting used to Melbourne weather after 45 years is still a challenge but I wouldn’t have it any other way.