Edith Ward (nee Dixon)
| Town/City | Bingara |
|---|---|
| First name | Edith |
| Last name | Ward (nee Dixon) |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | 25/04/37 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | Sep-59 |
| Submitted by | Edith Ward |
Story
I fell in love with Australia as a child when I saw the movie The Overlanders, and I applied to emigrate as soon as I was old enough.
I trained as a teacher and taught in Newcastle upon Tyne for two years. I was accepted as a “ten pound Pom” and sailed on the SS Fairsky in August 1959.
The journey was mainly uneventful except for some violent weather in the Red Sea which sent many passengers to their bunks. Me? I enjoyed every minute of the wild waves and turned up for every meal, along with several British submariners who were also on board.
We sailed up Sydney Harbour at lunchtime and under The Bridge (which reminded me so much of my home-town Tyne Bridge) to No 13 Piermont Wharf. The view from the taxi was quite depressing. All those corrugated roofs! However the hostel, “Orana”, in Dulwich Hill, was very welcoming. I got to use an electric washing machine for the first time and couldn’t believe how quickly the washing dried in the Australian sun. I couldn’t believe how quickly it got dark either, after the twilight hours I was used to in England.
I have never regretted coming to Australia, though there is always an ache in my heart for my homeland, even after fifty years. I’ve been back several times but always get homesick for Australia.
I taught in Croydon and Birrong, then in the Correspondence School for 13 years before coming to Bingara. Apart from teaching I’ve been a dog breeder and exhibitor. Now I’m enjoying my retirement.