A Grand Adventure: Life as a ‘Ten Pound Pom’ in Australia
The story of Australia’s post-war immigration boom is often told through the lens of the “Ten Pound Poms” – British migrants who arrived on the promise of a new life Down Under for a mere £10 processing fee. For many, it was a courageous leap of faith, a journey that would redefine their futures and contribute significantly to the nation’s burgeoning society. Merle Hathaway, now 77 and residing in Buninyong, Victoria, is one such individual whose family’s story embodies this pivotal era.
Her parents, Lucy and Stanley Hathaway, met in the Midlands of the UK. Stanley harboured a long-held dream of migrating to Australia, a vision he shared with his sweetheart. Lucy’s simple “OK” was the catalyst for a life-changing decision. In November 1951, a young Merle, just three years old, alongside her parents and her 12-year-old sister Hazel, boarded the ship ‘New Australia’ in Southampton. Merle vividly remembers the difficult choice she had to make before departure: her beloved doll’s house or a tin horse with wheels. The tin horse won, a testament to the spirit of adventure that was about to unfold.
The voyage itself was an epic undertaking, spanning six weeks and traversing the Suez Canal before making a stop in Sri Lanka. Merle’s most poignant childhood memory from this journey is watching her colouring book drift overboard, a small piece of her world lost to the vast ocean, and her inability to comprehend why the ship couldn’t simply turn back to retrieve it.
The ‘Ten Pound Pom’ Phenomenon: Rebuilding a Nation
The post-World War Two era in Australia presented a unique set of challenges. The nation, with a population of just 7.4 million, faced a depleted workforce. Many wartime survivors were incapacitated or ill, creating a significant need for labour to fuel economic recovery and growth. This context gave rise to the Australian government’s Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, colloquially known as the ‘Ten Pound Pom’ scheme.
This ambitious initiative aimed to attract British citizens to Australia, offering them a pathway to a new life for a nominal £10 fee. The scheme was instrumental in bolstering the Australian workforce and population. Over a million Brits took up this offer, packing their trunks with household goods, carrying around £100 in savings, and, most importantly, their dreams for a brighter future.
The promise of a better life was often realised, even if the specific jobs initially advertised didn’t always materialise. For those who found work, Australian wages were approximately 50 per cent higher than those back home. Tradespeople, in particular, were in high demand, making skilled workers highly sought after. The moniker ‘Ten Pound Pom’ became a proud, if sometimes jocular, identifier for these new arrivals, representing the modest cost of their transformative journey.
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A New Beginning in Victoria
The Hathaway family’s initial plan was to settle in Bathurst, New South Wales. However, when Stanley’s job fell through, their destination shifted to Wendouree in Victoria. Here, they spent their first six months living in a migrant hostel. Merle recalls the stark reality of hostel life: rows of Nissen huts with corrugated iron roofs and a communal laundry equipped with concrete troughs. Even the breakfast porridge, she remembers, was “thick and grey!”
Despite the humble beginnings, the family soon built a weatherboard home in Wendouree. Life began to take shape. Merle attended the local kindergarten and school, Stanley found employment with engineering companies and became an active member of the church choir. Lucy took on a significant role as the supervisor of McCallum House, a centre dedicated to supporting children with disabilities.
Merle credits her parents with fostering a strong sense of ambition and providing unwavering support for her educational pursuits. “They pushed me to succeed and whatever I chose to study, they were supportive,” she reflects. “By migrating to Australia, we had opportunities we’d never have had back home.” This encouragement profoundly shaped Merle’s life, leading her to a career in the arts.
Embracing Australia, Cherishing Heritage
Merle’s career in the arts saw her become a director of the Horsham Regional Art Gallery and she is now a co-owner of the Buninyong Brewery. While she wholeheartedly embraced Australian life, some cherished English traditions remained. Merle fondly recalls her mother, Lucy, setting up a table on the front porch on warm evenings for “tea” – a light meal rather than dinner. This spread of cold meats, salad, jelly, and fruit was a delightful, albeit slightly peculiar, sight to their Australian neighbours.
Even in her seventies, Merle’s curiosity and zest for life are undimmed. She continues to learn, a value instilled in her from a young age by her parents. This year, she is learning Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and attends classes whenever her schedule permits. Her home, a beautifully restored old brewery, now resembles a French or Italian farmhouse and is a testament to her dedication and hard work.
Merle believes much of her own resilience and drive stems from her parents’ genes. “I still have the energy to do lots of things and to keep learning, and that came from my parents,” she shares, acknowledging the profound impact of their decision to migrate.
A Commemorative Tribute
The enduring legacy of the ‘Ten Pound Poms’ is recognised by institutions like The Bradford Mint, which proudly presents The Ten Pound Poms .999 silver commemorative set. This finely etched collection captures the magnitude of the journey undertaken by these migrants and celebrates the hopes and dreams of newlyweds arriving in Australia, marked by their official border stamp. The reverse of the set features portraits of His Majesty King George VI and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, monarchs who reigned during the era of the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, a period that significantly shaped modern Australia.
For those interested in acquiring this piece of history, contact The Bradford Mint on (02) 9841 3324 or visit bradfordmint.com.au. The story of Merle Hathaway and countless others is a powerful reminder of the courage, resilience, and enduring spirit of the ‘Ten Pound Poms’ who helped build the Australia we know today.
