Robert Stephens with his family
Date1950
Object number00054500
NamePhotograph
MediumBlack and white photographic print on paper.
DimensionsOverall: 141 × 82 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Robert Stephens
DescriptionRobert, his mother and sister, and the man Robert thought was his father. Taken at the seaside resort of Southend-on-Sea in Essex in 1950. Robert was sent to Australia as an unaccompanied child migrant with the Fairbridge scheme in 1952.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 is a rare photograph of British child migrant Robert Stephens with his family in England. 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.
