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Certificate of Exemption from the provisions of the Immigration Act 1901-1940 issued to Alex Nypl

Maker Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Immigration

Date1948

Object numberANMS0286[002]

NameCertificate

MediumPaper, ink

DimensionsOverall: 195 × 190 mm, 0.003 g

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Alex Newman

Terms

DescriptionOn arriving in Melbourne Czech migrant Alex Nypl was issued a Certificate of Exemption from the 1901-1940 Immigration Act on 23 December 1948 so he could enter and settle in Australia. The Immigration Act required a dictation test which Alex would have failed as he knew no English.HistoryThe 1901-1940 Immigration Act was designed to keep non-white and to a lesser extent non-British people out of Australia. After WWII the Australian Government's attitude to migration changed, they wanted more migrants - but of the "right" type, preferably northern European. Certificates of Exemption allowed the Government to circumvent the dictation text of its Immigration Act and allow non-English speaking European migrants into the country.Significance'In two days, I will be celebrating anniversary of 40 wonderful years in this lovely country and I will always be grateful to the Commonwealth of Australia and its people, for giving me the opportunity to start new life here, after the horrific years of Nazi occupation in
1938-1945 and then again the Communist putch in February 1948 and persecution and jail one had to go through, which has hurt lot more as it has been inflicted by our own countrymen and in many cases by friends.

The start over here, not speaking the language, not having any trade or profession,without a penny to my name, has not been easy, but with hardwork and learning English quite quickly, I had a good life, have made a lot of Australian friends and consider Australia home'.

Alex Newman (Nypl), 20 December 1988, letter to the Australian National Maritime Museum.