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Siesz family on the deck of the AURELIA

Publisher Fairfax Publications, Sydney Morning Herald

Date13 April 1961

Object numberANMS1453[133]

NamePhotograph

Mediumphotographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 216 × 166 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection

Terms

DescriptionBlack and white image of Peter and Maria Siesz with their daughters, Christiane and Irmtraud, walking on the deck of the AURELIA on its arrival in Melbourne from Vienna.HistoryA newspaper clipping attached to the back of the photograph reads; ‘Peter Siesz with his wife and children, Christiane, 11, and Irmtraud, 7, on board of the AURELIA today. Peter Siesz, a former Luftwaffe pilot, had he photograph (above) in his hand when the migrant ship AURELIA arrived in Melbourne today. With an interpreter, he approached a Herald reporter on the ship and said: “Please, could you help me find my brother? We have not seen him for 17 years. In choir. Haltingly, Siesz told his story. His brother William, one of seven children, came to Australia in 1938 at the age of 11 with the Vienna Boys Choir. The choir's tour had not finished when the war broke out. William was stranded here. He kept o touch with his family by letter at first. Then the war overtook the Siesz home in Vienna. They had to move. After 1942 they lost contact with William. The return of the Vienna Boys’ Choir last year provided a clue. William went to hear the choir in Brisbane and met the conductor. But he didn’t give his address. At Bonegilla. Siesz has arrived with wife Maria and daughters Christiane, 11, and Irmtraud, 7. If William can be found, Peter will bring out his parents and his four brothers and one sister who are still in Vienna. If William Siesz reads this story he can get in touch with Peter at Bonegilla Migrant Camp. Peter, who flew Stukas with the Luftwaffe over Tunisia and Russia, worked after the war as a test driver at the Mercedes-Benz car factory in Stuttgart.’SignificanceThis image is one of a series produced by Fairfax newspapers that provides a unique window into how immigrants were viewed and immigration policy articulated in the popular press. The images in this selection are significant in representing the personal face to Australia's massive post-war immigration push that saw aggressive immigration programs orchestrated by the Australian Government that was promoting a 'populate or perish' philosophy.