Irene and Jack Warwick

Story

We wanted to give our 4 young sons a better chance in life, even though we had our own home in a lovely country village, and Jack had a steady job as a postman. It was hard to leave my parents, as my only sister was already living in Dunedin, New Zealand with her husband and family. Jack’s parents, 3 brothers and 1 sister stayed in England all their lives.

We flew to Sydney from a little country village Hockley, in Essex, England on a very cold and snowy New year’s Eve in 1964, arriving on 2nd January 1965, after a very long and tiring journey, and were taken to the Migrant Hostel at East Hills.

Impressions on Arrival – Friendly, helpful people, brilliant sun, a sense of space. The Hostel was basic but adequate, and gave us a good start re banking , finding work, schools etc., but I hated the lack of privacy and cramped living area. We transferred to Burwood, which was better.

We bought a Mixed Business in Bexley North [failed] moved to Earlwood where Jack worked at 3 jobs and I had 2 jobs. My Parents, David and Lily Sharp migrated here in 1966 and lived with us and cared for us while we built up a bank account.

We eventually moved to Ellis Lane, Camden, where we lived in a caravan and a tent while we built our first home on a 1 acre block that did not have town water or sewerage. Our Bank manager came to visit during the building and actually rolled up his sleeves and helped for about 3 hours!

We were involved in a car accident in our first year in Camden and Jack could not work for about 6 months, but our new neighbours were wonderful and we were extremely well looked after until we were on our feet again.

We all love Australia, we have a happy successful family of 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Jack and I now live in Carrington Retirement Village and are content.

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