Marks family aboard the CANBERRA
Date1 May 1964
Object numberANMS1453[138]
NamePhotograph
Mediumphotographic print on paper
DimensionsOverall: 166 × 220 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection
DescriptionBlack and white image of Albert and Ida Marks and their eight children standing on the windy deck of the CANBERRA on its arrival in Melbourne.
HistoryA newspaper clipping attached to the back of the photograph reads ‘The ship’s bell of the liner CANBERRA was used as a baptismal font for the christening of the youngest of a family of 10 who arrived in Melbourne today from Britain.
The family is that of Mr Albert Marks, 43, a clerk, who is migrating here from London. His youngest son, Derek, seven months, was christened last Sunday while the ship was between Fremantle and Melbourne. “My wife, Ida, and I thought that it would be a nice idea to have our youngest child baptised aboard ship in Australian waters,” Mr Marks said today. He said he had been planning to come to Australia for the past seven years. “We decided to make the break when we saw the children growing up and finding it almost impossible to get jobs,” Mr Marks said. He was here with the British merchant navy during the war – “and liked what I saw.” Mrs Albert Marks holds baby Derek, seven months, as the family poses aboard the CANBERRA today. The children are (from left), Christine, 16, Pauline, 14, Geoffrey, 12, Allan, 18. In front, are Phillip 6, Steven 9, and Robert 6.’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.
Fairfax Publications, Sydney Morning Herald
24 May 1956
