John and Margaret Szilagyi
| First name | John and Margaret |
|---|---|
| Last name | Szilagyi |
| Country of Origin | Hungary |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1969 |
| Submitted by | Peter Szilagyi |
Story
**Reason for Leaving**
For generations Hungary was the home of the Szilagyi family. The decision to leave Hungary therefore was not an easy one. The early to middle 20 Century however was a hard time to live in Hungary. The conclusion of World War II left Budapest, as with most of Europe, largely destroyed and as with many Eastern European countries Russian occupation followed the war. It was in these circumstances that my father was born in 1945. My grandparents (Margaret and John) were determined to take their new family and leave occupied Hungary for a better life.
**About the Journey**
The journey of the Szilagyi family to Australia took several years and started during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. My grandparents decided in the chaos of the revolution that they should flee the communist regime as this was probably their one and only chance. Their story is special as too the thousands of Hungarians that decided to take such risk.
In November 1956 the family travelled from Budapest to the Hungarian-Austrian border. Under the cover of darkness and with the military monitoring the boarder they took a huge risk and made their way into Austria. During much confusion in the dark however the family got separated. My grandmother, caring for the three children (my father and his brother and sister), were taken to a Red Cross refugee camp by some friendly locals. Searching for several days my grandfather only found them by chance at the same Red Cross camp.
With thousands of other Hungarians the family needed to make a decision as to where they were going to go. That decision was helped by the Austrian and Argentinean governments and the family traveled to Argentina as refugees to start a new life. Other families were welcomed by countries such as America, Canada, South Africa and of course Australia (my grandmothers\’s brother immigrated to America in similar circumstances).
In Argentina the family needed to assimilate, learn a new language, gain employment and go to school. My grandfather, a tailor by trade made clothes for the local Hungarian community and gradually starting a family business. Life was hard in Argentina though and after 12 years the family decided that it should make another change for a better life. My grandfather maintained contact with many of his friends whom immigrated to Australia and they often wrote how good life was in the ‘lucky country’. The family decided again that they would move their lives and they applied to the Australian Embassy in Buenos Aires for immigration. By this time the family was now at six; Margaret and John; their two sons (Peter and John) and their two daughters (Sue and Evi). After much heartache Peter the eldest son decided to stay in Buenos Aires with his wife to be as he now considered Argentina his home.
The family made preparation to leave Argentina and traveled to Panama where their ship would set sail. They traveled to Panama by bus crossing the Andes through Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Columbia and Venezuela. In Panama they boarded their ship and set sail with much excitement. Incredibly, mid voyage the ship caught fire and almost sank. My father recalls how their ship was circled by sharks as it limped back to port. Determined as they were, they eventually flew to Sydney Australia and landed in December 1969. My father with only an American dollar to his name stepped onto Australian soil at the age of 24.
**Impressions on Arrival**
The family arrived on a typically sunny Australian day. Supported by their friends the family started to assimilate and find their ‘Australian dream\’. Again they needed to learn a new language, find employment and a place they could call home. My grandfather re-started his tailoring business and became quite successful in his trade. My grandmother supported him in the business. All three children went on to marry, have families and lead successful lives giving much to the lucky country. As at 2008 the family has grown to eight grand kids and three great grand kids and we all call Australia home.