Dorothy McEwan

Story

Disillusioned with the decision Government (Harold Wilson) made to disallow an equal pay rise to electricians in Scotland with those granted to English electricians – 1 shilling per hour on a 40 hour week. Wrote to the national dailies about this discriminatory treatment of Scottish tradesmen. Left an extensive family behind second youngest of 7. We had never been out of Britain.

Sailed from Southampton 17/3/69 on the Fairsky Sitmar line – we were berthed alongside the Queen Elizabeth II and it towered above our wee ship. We left the day before it set out on its trials and it had been to Las Palmas and on its way back before we even got to Las Palmas.

A nghtmare journey by sea, myself and my 2 young children aged 3 years and 18 months were separated from my husband on board ship for a 5 week journey only able to be together at meals and on decks where the crew were painting. Hit the end of a cyclone lost the bosun overboard in the storm.

Entered port of Fremantle- beautiful, welcomed by my aunt, uncle and cousins who lived in Perth. Disembarked at Melbourne late in the evening 22/4/09 (?) and dealt with rudely by customs who upended our cases.

Traveled to Adelaide on the Overlander with 20 other families all by BHP, Whyalla. We were treated well by immigration officials at Melbourne. As the train made its way across to SA I could not believe I was seeing hitching rails for horses – looked like USA wild west. Stayed in Elder Park Hostel over ANZAC weekend treated well. Travelled to Whyalla April 27th 1969 when a bus strike ended. Landscape was like landing on the moon. Stayed in Milpara hostel. The men had to take rosters guarding the toilets due to fear of single men living on quarters. Goulash for breakfast- unbelievable. Had a house within a week SAHT – husband started work as an electrician in Blast Furnace second day here with BHP. Devastated when we were told British Road Transport had not loaded our household effects, BHP lent us items. Caledonian Society came to the rescue allocated a couple from Edinburgh to look after us.

We have had a good life here in Whyalla, more nationalities here than Australian born people. At one time 65 different nationalities. I worked for the Federal Member for Grey 1984 – 1992 (second largest federal electorate in Australia). During this time I was involved in to name a few; Legislation introduced for New Start Mature Age Allowance for unemployed over 55 years-since rescinded by the Howard Government. A 3 month grace period on Fringe Benefits for migrant pensioners. Close Liaison with Immigration Adelaide during this time handling thousands of immigration & other commonwealth legislative queries for constituents. Travelled around the electorate and to Canberra. Responsible for itineraries for famous people such as Lionel Bowen, former Attorney General, Bob Hawke and Paul Keating former Prime Ministers. Attended the opening of new Parliament House Canberra.

Worked at CES 5 years, Centrelink 9 years assisting people and still work with the disadvantaged at Salvation Army Employment Plus.

Our third son was born here in 1972 and we now have four grandchildren all born here at Whyalla. We sponsored my elder sister and her family, my younger brother and his wife and my nephew who completed his apprenticeship at the Whyalla shipyard. We did go back to Scotland to live for 10 months but returned in 1975 in time for “The Dismissal”. We will never leave Australia and chose to come here over Canada. We have never regretted our decision to migrate to Australia and took out citizenship in 1974 as soon as we were eligible.

We have all been actively involved in the community here, sports and social clubs. My husband was President of the Amateur Soccer Association for 40 years and we are closely involved with the local Irish community/club.

I don’t believe I would have achieved a fraction of the things I have if I had stayed save at home in Bonnie Scotland or met the calibre of people we have on our travels around Australia. Our eldest son served 9 years in the Royal Australian Navy and is now self employed. My daughter completed an apprenticeship as a fitter and Turner under the Affirmative Action Programme for Women.She has changed occupations and works as a veterinary nurse, My youngest son also trained as a Fitter a Turner and is now a Technician. They all had opportunities at their fingertips in this great country. Coming here was an adventure – we had no idea of the distance from Europe and were amazed at the size of the country. We missed our families.

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