Rosalind Barrow

Story

This is the story of the migration to Australia of Trevor Albert Charles Barrow (b. 25-1-1935) and Rosalind Anne Barrow (nee Young, b. 16- 5-1942) and their three children, Mark (b.30-10-63 in Pune), Linda (b.26-8-66 in Pune) and Fay (b.11-11-68 in Bombay).

The 20th January 1969 is a significant date for our family. On this day we embarked on our journey to our ‘new\’ homeland. Our decision to migrate was not taken lightly. We had a young family. Mark Geoffrey was 5, Linda Jean 3 and Fay Audrey 9 weeks old.

My husband, Trevor, was Vice-Principal of the Cathedral & John Connon School, a prestigious school in Bombay. Our decision meant that for both of us we would have no family support in Australia and that our parents would not have the pleasure of seeing their grandchildren growing up.

Trevor\’s parents were Albert Ernest Thomas Barrow ( b.1-3-1908, d. 7-3-1990) a nominated member of parliament in the Lok Sabha (House of Representatives) for nearly 40 years, representing the Anglo-Indian community, and Doris Muriel Barrow (nee Walker, b. 14-4-1906, d. 21 -5-1989) a school teacher. My parents were Clifford George Young (b. 27-7-1910, d. 9-11-1984) who retired as Superintendent of Telegraphs in Pune and Dulcie Charlotte Young (nee Sweeney, b. 27-12-1918, d. 24-6-2004) who established St. Paul\’s School in Pune where she was Principal for a number of years. We decided that our children were our first priority and a promising future awaited them abroad. Trevor secured a teaching position at Monivae College, Hamilton in Victoria.

We left by air from Mumbai, a vibrant, bustling and densely populated city. As the plane circled the Hamilton airport all we could see were sheep and paddocks. With my baby in my arms, I glanced at my husband and no words were exchanged!

Father Prentice, the Principal, welcomed us warmly. Driving along deserted Gray Street, about 6pm on that January evening, was a strange experience, considering we\’d left behind such an busy city in India only a day before.

We were one of the earliest migrant families from India to live and work in Hamilton. Trevor taught at Monivae College for three years and then moved to Hamilton High School. Our first experiences were positive. We were made welcome by the school communities. In 1974 I taught part-time at Maryknoll, the sister school to Monivae. We experienced happy times along with the challenges of life and were rewarded with lifelong friendships.

In 1976 we moved to Geelong. Trevor took up a position as a psychologist. Having obtained his Masters degrees at Cambridge and St Andrews his qualifications in psychology were accepted for registration in Victoria and by The Australian Psychological Society. I up-dated my teaching qualifications at Deakin University whilst teaching at Clonard College, a secondary girls school, established by the Brigidine order. I retired at the end of 2006 after 31 years. I enjoyed my teaching career and made life-long friends. Retirement has presented me with new avenues to meet interesting people and to respond to new challenges.

Our dreams for our children have come true and we are very proud of their contributions to Australia. Mark, after leaving Bell Park High School, completed his Arts Law degree at the Australian National University. He married Megan Jane Lauder, (b. 15-9-1965 ) on the 28th September 1991. Their daughter India Jane was born on the 12th March 1996. Noah George Albert was born on the 25th April 1998. Mark has a successful law firm in Canberra.

Linda went on to complete a Science degree at Deakin University, Geelong. She then did a pharmacy degree at Hobart University, Tasmania. Linda worked at the Canberra hospital for many years. She moved to England for more experience and to travel in Europe.

Fay completed her Arts degree at Ballarat University, and a Diploma in Education from Aquinas College. She has been a secondary school teacher in State and Private schools. She enjoys the challenges of teaching.

Living in a multi-cultural society creates rich life experiences. Our friends are people born in Australia and migrants, like us, from different parts of the globe. The risk we took has paid dividends. We are proud Australians and remain grateful for the opportunity to be part of this country.

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