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Hampsey family on board the FAIRSKY

Publisher Fairfax Publications, Sydney Morning Herald

Date1960

Object numberANMS1453[161]

NamePhotograph

Mediumphotographic print on paper

DimensionsOverall: 304 × 205 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection

Terms

DescriptionBlack and white image of John and Molly Hampsey from Northern Ireland, posing with their 13 children on steps aboard the FAIRSKY. On arrival in Sydney, the family were headed for accommodation at the Commonwealth migrant hostel at Cabramatta. HistoryA newspaper article attached this image reads ‘The biggest British family to migrate to Australia arrived in Sydney yesterday with “15 hearts full of hope and leaving a bucketful of tears behind.” The family, Mr John Hampsey, his wife, Molly, and their 13 children left County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, because of unemployment. They will go to the Commonwealth migrant hostel at Cabramatta. Mr Hampsey is a 44-year-old taxi driver. He and four of his sons want jobs in Sydney. “Work was scarce at home and we had to think of the future.” Mr Hampsey said on arriving in the Sitmar liner FAIRSKY. “I’m bringing 15 hearts full of hope and leaving a bucketful of tears behind. “We had always managed – it was only recently that things got bad.” He said he went to England last year to see the conditions there, but did not like it. “Then we decided on Australia” he said. “We didn’t even consider Canada or any other places.” The children are Sean, 22, Rory, 20, Malachy, 19, Brian, 18, Philomena, Anne, 13, Declan, 12, Peter, 9, Siobhan, 7, Eugene 5, Geraldine, 3, Dolores, 2, and Pauline, 1. The family occupied four cabins on the FAIRSKY and landed with 24 cases and trunks. The Hampsey’s were sponsored by the Fairbridge society’ and ‘A stairway on the Sitmar liner FAIRSKY was just large enough to hold the Hampsey family yesterday.’ 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.