a question about ten pound poms

From memory some neighbours took months and had to jump through a lot of hoops. This would have been the 70s. They owned a large house and had an appropriate job. I don’t know if it was like applying to the NHS for a job. They would take up references one at a time and wait for the replies.

My cousin’s widow went out with three young children put came back as soon as the two years was up as she couldn’t make a life for herself. I think she was running away from the grief of losing her young husband at 29.

Don't think such a system exists anymore.

Bigred18

Don't think such a system exists anymore.

Well, no. I assumed the OP was just asking out of curiosity.

My cousin went, application too a month or two, the system stopped a long time ago. She was running away from family and did stay but has had a miserable life, “ even though I’m broke and unhappy at least I’m warm”.
It’s been replaced with a skilled workers scheme, there is a list of skills needed which you have to have and then have 5 yrs before you can apply for citizenship.

I always remember the daughter of the caretaker on our council estate did this back in the late 50s. Looking back I realise that they probably never expected to see her again. Travel was so expensive as were phone calls. No email and no FaceTime. It was like going to the moon. I hope they were happy there.

My dad was a coalminer - he had a job offered him over there and we were all set to go when my mother got cold feet at the last minute so we didn’t. He often teased her over the years about the £20 they’d wasted (my sister and I would have travelled for free). I was just a baby at the time so I know nothing about the procedure.

My DB and SisIL applied, all looked absolutely wonderful but they decided not to go in the end.

I think we have a couple of Gransnetters who were Ten Pound Poms - perhaps they might join the thread soon?

Katie59

My cousin went, application too a month or two, the system stopped a long time ago. She was running away from family and did stay but has had a miserable life, “ even though I’m broke and unhappy at least I’m warm”.
It’s been replaced with a skilled workers scheme, there is a list of skills needed which you have to have and then have 5 yrs before you can apply for citizenship.

Although my cousin didn’t thrive it wasn’t just Australia she had 2 awful marriages, others I know went have done well.

My much older half sister went with her young family. She never returned for a visit as travel was so expensive in those days.
We looked into it in the 70 s but didn’t proceed with it. I sometimes wonder what life woukd have been like. Sitting here all wrapped up, so warmer, certainly.

My then best friend and her fiance went out there in the 1960s. Neither of them had anything in the way of qualifications and could not see much of a life for themselves in this country. I recall that the process took about 3 months before they got a date.

My friends two brothers also went out. One stayted and married an Australian but the other came back. My friend and her partner worked hard, became Australian citizens and made a life for themselves. They did very well and ended up owning and running an emu farm. Unfortunately I lost touch about 10 years ago and have not been able to trace them.

We emigrated not from UK but from SA. The procedure was long and very painful. Many Saffers were applying at that time. Pretoria Oz office told us "do not contact us in any way - your application will go to the bottom of the pile if you do".
Eventually we received permission. Very, very unhappy time. After 5 years, 8 months and 15 days we left to return to Europe.

Following this interesting discussion . My dad wanted us all to go 9 of us but mum wouldn't. I think life was hard for the poms and living conditions tough

We went in the 40’s after the War but as I was a child I don’t remember how long the application took but I shouldn’t think it took very long as Australia was keen to have immigrants. My father was in catering and easily found work but my mother never settled and found the attitude of many Australians unfriendly. We came home as soon as was possible so that I could start school in UK.

We went as my husband had a profession that was much needed there.

We were promised we would a house as soon as we got there but we're put in a hostel and given no help finding a job or accommodation. As some one else said, the Aussies were largely unfriendly and we decided to cut our loses and come home after a year.vbefore the children properly started school.

My sister and her family, husband and three children, went using the scheme in the 60s. DBIL had been in RAF and had a similar job to go to. At one time he was servicing the planes of some flying doctors as they were called. They ended up in Cairns and loved the life but became homesick and returned after 7 years but in a good position to make a life in UK. However, the thirst for adventure didn’t go away and they subsequently spent some time in Africa before returning to UK for good.

I remember we were always called whinging poms by the Australians. Not very welcoming.

CountessFosco

We emigrated not from UK but from SA. The procedure was long and very painful. Many Saffers were applying at that time. Pretoria Oz office told us "do not contact us in any way - your application will go to the bottom of the pile if you do".
Eventually we received permission. Very, very unhappy time. After 5 years, 8 months and 15 days we left to return to Europe.

There are a lot of South Africans emigrating to Australia again now.

My friends came home for a visit in the mid 1980s when I was at uni. They both spoke like Australians and admitted they had taken classes to get rid of their British accents. I thought nothing of it as I took classes to aquire an RP accent.

they had taken classes to get rid of their British accents
Really? I thought an Australian accent would be something easily acquired if mixing with Australians!

Thank you for all reply's,just a side line about accents.
Comments were made that when an airplane load of Brits arrived in Australia,you could still tell it was full of Brits because of the whines that were heard after the plane had shut down its engines.
Having said that on several trips to Australia,I use to sit in the supermarkets and watch the World go by.When Tannoy announcements were made,it sounded like a whine,or maybe it was just me.

When dad went 20 yrs ago he did object to being called a Pommie Bastard, but found out later that the translation was British not necessarily of questionable parentage.

Generally they are OK as long as they are winning at cricket and they do like winning, but don’t complain about the heat, that’s inviting the Whinging Pom jibe. It’s easier these days if it’s hot find an air conditioned bar buy a cold beer and watch the cricket

Generally they are OK as long as they are winning at cricket

😁 Don't mention The Ashes unless Australia has won!!