Ernest Langer

Story

My childhood was spent in Vienna, Austria a city ravaged by a horrendous world war.

Then followed 10 years of allied occupation, inflation, recessions and the constant struggle for my mother trying to bring up six children on her own.

Barely 14 years of age I had to abandon all schooling and join the workforce in order to help supplement the family income.

I started work as a boilermaker apprentice, qualified four years later and dreamed of one day owning and running a business of my own.

However, a very sketchy and basic education, a total lack of funds and a stringent bureaucracy requiring countless licences, permits, qualifications and certifications seemed insurmountable obstacles in ever being able to achieve my dream.

I married Anna in 1956 and it was then that I became aware that Australia was trying to attract migrants with a pioneering spirit seeking a new life. The prospects of a fresh start and promises of a better life in a young country with boundless opportunities proved irresistible to an ambitious young man.

We boarded a rebuilt WW2 escort carrier the ‘Sydney’ in Genoa together with around 800 other (mainly Italian) migrants. After a six week voyage around the Cape of Good Hope we disembarked in Melbourne and transferred to the migrant camp in Bonegilla.

Here I experienced my first (and only) disappointment. Although my boilermaker qualifications were recognised, it seemed impossible to find employment. The classical catch 22. ‘You must be a member of the Boilermakers Union before we can employ you’ Ð ‘You cannot join the union unless you are employed as a boilermaker’

Undaunted, I took on a job as a trainee panelbeater and after six years of learning a new language and a new trade I had managed to save enough money to buy a small business. Part of my ambitious plan had been realized. I was my own boss.

During that time our daughter Evelyn (1957) and son Robert (1963) were born and we were naturalized in 1964. Unfortunately our marriage failed and we separated in 1966.

In 1974 I married Margaret a third generation Australian who has been my staunchest supporter throughout the difficult years that still lay ahead.

Having had my own business did not quite quell all my ambitions. There remained the desire to study for a professional career.

So once again, back to school. Four years of TAFE to obtain the required entrance to university qualifications, followed by five years of part time study at the University of Technology. Another nine year stint as trainee and later senior accountant enabled me to become a founding partner in a firm of Chartered Accountants. Mission accomplished, my childhood dream fulfilled.

Australia had delivered on its promise and provided me with the opportunity to start a new and rewarding life.

Today at 72 I look back on a long and fulfilling life and enjoy the attention of a loving wife two wonderful children and five beautiful granddaughters and three delightful great-grandsons.

Thank you Australia.

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