Lajos Olasz

Story

Lajos Olasz DOB 31/08/1914 and Maria (nee Ekler) DOB 30/08/1912.

Maria escaped from Hungary prior to the Russian invasion in 1945. Both met in Wels, Austria as displaced persons (DPs). Lajos had been an Hungarian mounted police sergeant with farming experience and was a stonemason. Maria had lived in England in the 1930s and was an interpreter/translator for an import/export firm.

Post WWII they spent 4 years living in one room, the walls of which were so thin that you could hear the neighbours breathe. At that time they both worked for the Allied Occupation Forces in Austria. In 1949 they had a choice of either emigrating to freezing South Dakota or Australia. They chose Australia as “the sun always shines in Australia.”

In 1949 they arrived in Australia with 2 year old Margarete aboard the General Stewart, a former US troop carrier. They bought 2 black elephants with ivory tusks at the Suez. It was an unremarkable voyage in cramped conditions. They only had the clothes they were wearing and a wooden box with 2 overcoats, which doubled as blankets, in case the sun didn’t shine, Maria’s 4 dictionaries, and a foldup stainless steel frypan/divided bowl combo and 2 aluminium plates a legacy of US servicemen. After treeless crowded Europe gum trees and wide open spaces welcomed them.

They were first housed at Woodside army barracks in SA and moved to the Barossa. Lajos was contracted to the Water Supply for 3 years to lay water pipelines. He commuted to and from Adelaide on a girl’s bike weekly and pruned vines on weekends. They settled in Bridgewater and lived in a tin shed for 3 years while they built. Maria worked at odd jobs including interpreter & apple picking. They made their own bricks. They had to queue for cement every 6 months. The house was a work in progress and grew room by room. Lajos did his own plumbing and electricial. They set up a chicken farm and ran 2 stalls at the Central Market. The land was paid off directly to the owner at 10 shillings (half a pound) when wages were 5 pounds a week. It was the first house in the street to have mains water and electricity. The house still stands and Maria still has her dictionaries and utensils.

Things which made life easier were the purchase of a second-hand motor bike & side car in the 50s, a holden ute in the 60s and brand new TV and vacuum cleaner soon after. Everything was paid for in cash.

Pubs closed at 6 p.m. You could buy pies, pasties, gum, coke chocolates and cigs at the deli. There was little choice and only department stores. The week’s social event was the local dance. Every lady made pastries, tea was supplied. Films were shown in the town hall and kids rolled jaffas down the aisles for fun. Every man was handy, every woman could cook and sew. Everything was DIY. Everyone had a rainwater tank and an outdoor dunny (toilet). They grew their fruit and veg and made sauce and jam. You had 2 pairs of shoes and 3 outfits – Sunday Best, work and home. Water was used 4 times – to wash yourself, wash your clothes, wash your floors and water the plants. In the 60s manufacturing made it possible to buy goods cheaply. You knew everybody around you and everybody helped. Your neighbour was your best friend. Unlocked houses were not ransacked. Cars parked with keys in the ignition were untouched.

Lajos and Maria have always been appreciative of their chance to start a new life living freely and in peace with the right to follow their own way of life without intimidation, persecution or prejudice. Australia gives everyone a chance to pursue their dreams as long as the right of others is not jeopardized. It is truly the lucky country blessed with breathtaking natural wonders, an abundance of resources, a great climate, a system of government and way of life equalled by few nations. The Australian sun did shine in more ways than one and it still welcomes those who seek a life of unlimited possibilities regardless of their beliefs, customs, capabilities, or wealth. They are proud to be Australian by choice.

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