Roy Norden

Story

My small family 2 adults & 2 children (7 & 4 yrs) set sail on the USS Australis on 08th February 1972. My sister and I did not really understand the enorminty of what was going on. We were leaving behind everything we knew and loved, our grandparents, friends and cousins. My Father told me some years later that we left the UK for a better life!

The passage was rough and whilst the rest of my family lie on their bunks feeling a little “green”, I was up and about as an 7yr old girl exploring the ship and eating in the dining rooms mostly alone, with 3-4 waiters fussy around me. On one particular occasion I remember being unable to find my way back to our cabin and walked around and around for what seemed like hours, until tired & upset I sat down on a bench and cried. A kind faced woman (who instantly reminded me of my Grandmother) asked me what was wrong and as I tried to explain to her my story, I was voilently ill. Even though I am sure she was not impressed at the time (her lap copped my lunch) she and I spent some time together. On the ship I remember learning about Australian Animals and the State & capital city names in what I recall as a travelling school… see the journey was some 6 weeks.

My parents had a great time onboard… being wined and dined mostly at the Captains table… my Father was a very Charismatic man and always popular. I believe he called the Bingo onboard the ship. My parents remember the ports of call and in particular Cape Town in Sth Africa.

My family had immigrated to Adelaide, but our first arrival ports were Fremantle & Melbourne. When we arrived in Melbourne my Mother tells me she cried…. through disappoinment . The port is all that we saw and it was dirty and uninspiring and we were herded like cattle into a train with our lunch box (which resembled a shoe box) for the next part of our journey… to Adelaide.

We had some great times in the “Immigration Hostel” in Adelaide until my parents were able to purchase their own home. My Father had some experience with pets and pet products… but not sure what work he did in Adelaide. My Mother always longed to go back “home” to the UK and she took 2 trips back in the 2nd year and before we had time to say Queensland, we had the car packed and were on our way to Queensland…. my parents did not really say why.

My Father grew listless with the 9 to 5 daily grind and began a new career as an itinerant showman, travelling around with his truck, caravan and whatever ride, stand or stall he had. This was an independant lifestyle for him, but my Mother believed it was important to keep us girls in school and thus the breakdown on my parents marriage. I was devastated….

My poor mother, a foreign country, no family support, few friends, little money, no skills and little prospect. This when my mother came into her own. She found a job, she rented a flat she put some very hard and character building yards….. we were her motivation… for us to have a good life, to feel safe and secure.

The years passed by and my father continued with his footloose and fancy-free life making and spending all his money. He remarried and had two children. My Mother also remarried and my stepfather to this day is a big influence in our lives. My father sadly passed away on 06th November 2003.

I married a wonderful & caring (Australian) man, who like me loves to travel, and we set up house and have a son. My earlier career involved a lot of travel to far away and exotic places…. this I hope to do more of in my retirement.

A significant date for my family was the 26th January 2005 when my mother, myself and my sister became Australian citizens after being in this Country for 33 years…..it was a wonderful and inspiring pledge to this Country that has given us so many opportunities.

Today in my work… I like to think that I have influence over some of the youth of today, through education and training. A job I find satisfying for the most part.

Thank you Australia for allowing us to immigrate here and I pledge my story with pride.

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