Researcher on hunt for post-war regional detail
Hostel Stories' Dr Karen Agutter spoke with the SE Voice about her research into migrant work camps in the South East region of South Australia.
South Australian Railway’s Camp at Hynam (Mount Gambier Line 1951). Image from the ARHS Collection courtesy of the University of Newcastle Library's Special Collections.
Both Karen and Prof Rachel Ankeny are investigating recollections of post-war migrant work camps in the South East. In particular, their research explores the experiences of Displaced Persons who travelled from Europe to South Australia in the 1940s and 50s.
"Between 1947 and 1953, Australia took in 172,000 Displaced Persons. Australia also accepted unaccompanied minors and unsupported mothers and this was not the case in other countries. As part of their entry into Australia, Displaced Persons were obliged to work for two years in government or private works" - Dr Karen Agutter
See here for more information about the project.