Dear Robert, love from Mum, 4 December 1960, St Martin-in-the-Fields and the National Gallery
Publisher
J Arthur Dixon Limited
(British, 1926 - 1998)
Date1960
Object number00054501
NamePostcard
MediumColour photogravure print on paper.
Dimensions100 x 145 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Robert Stephens
DescriptionRobert Stephens was sent to Australia in 1952 at the age of nine under the Fairbridge Child Migrant scheme. His mother sent him this postcard on 4 December 1960 mentioning meeting his father outside the National Gallery to take the children to see the Christmas decoration lights on Regent Street, which they loved.HistoryBetween 1913 and 1967, more than 7,000 British children were sent to Australia by charities such as Fairbridge, Barnardo's, and the Salvation Army. The Fairbridge Farm School in Molong NSW (opened 1937) was one of three farm training schools established under Fairbridge principles in Australia. South African philanthropist Kingsley Fairbridge aimed to alleviate the plight of British slum children by sending them to farm schools in the colonies. The idea was to remove children from impoverishment, while simultaneously developing remote rural areas of the British empire with young white labour.
Supported by the Western Australian government, Kingsley and his wife Ruby established the first Fairbridge Farm School at Pinjarra, south east of Perth in 1913. Fairbridge died in 1924, but the scheme continued. Children lived in cottages under a cottage mother, attended local state schools until they were 14, and then spent 12-18 months training in farm work on the property.SignificanceThis postcard reflects Robert Stephens' enduring connections to his homeland and his family after his arrival in Australia in 1952. Robert’s story is typical of many former child migrants, who contrary to popular belief, were not orphans but came from broken homes or families struggling financially.
