Donald Creagh
| First name | Donald |
|---|---|
| Last name | Creagh |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | 12/2/1930 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 12/30/1947 |
| Submitted by | Diane McCould |
Story
There was no real reason for my leaving England, except I had always wanted to travel. On seeing an advertisement for boys to join the ‘Big Brother Movement’, I decided to investigate and found out that workers were wanted for farm properties in Australia.
My mother arranged the trip and I left England on the 30 December 1947 from Tilbury Docks London, I had just turned 17. The ship was the HMAS Orion and I travelled with 19 other boys on the ‘Big Brother’ scheme, some of whom became lifetime friends. On the journey out the month on the ship was spent swimming, floor shows and there was plenty of food.
On arrival in Australia on the 7th of February 1948 the Big Brother who was to meet me did not show up, however another person met me and informed me that I was to go to Culcairn. I then made my own way from Sydney on the train. The countryside did not impress me as it was very different to England and very hot, dry and barren. On arrival in Culcairn I was met by Mr Gordon Mackie the owner of the property I was to be employed on.
He introduced me to his family and Norma O\’Brien who worked as a housemaid. I was unhappy with the work and thought it was slave labour, however the working conditions were very good. I left Mackie\’s to work on another property and on finding myself living in a mud hut with no modern conveniences I realised my mistake.
After a couple of years I left farm work and travelled to Kiewa to work on the Hydro Electricity Scheme where I worked underground as an offsider on a diamond drill. On my days off I travelled to visit Norma who had moved to Albury. On the 12 August 1950 Norma became my wife and our marriage has produced 5 children, 14 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
I eventually left New South Wales to live in Queensland and during my 61 years in Australia I have had numerous jobs and travelled extensively around this wonderful country which I claim as my own as I became an Australian Citizen on the 10 April 1986.
By Donald Sidney George Creagh
Posted on Fathers Day 07 Sep 2008