Box of Edinburgh Rock sent to Robert Stephens by his mother
Date1960
Object number00054508
NameBox
MediumPaper
DimensionsOverall: 45 × 160 × 160 mm, 68 g
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineAustralian National Maritime Museum Collection Gift from Robert Stephens
DescriptionThis box of Edinburgh Rock (a type of boiled sweet) was sent to British child migrant Robert Stephens at Fairbridge Farm School in Molong, New South Wales, his mother in England. We know from a postcard that Robert Stephens' mother sent him a christmas package containing sweets on 19 October 1960, these maybe the ones.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 item reflects Robert Stephens' ongoing connections to his homeland and his family after his arrival in Australia in 1952. 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.
