Please give us a brief description of your working life in Australia
a) Worked as a baker/ pastry cook b) Worked in grocery department of general store - Albury 1950-58. c) Worked and studied as a psychiatric nurse. Sunbury, victoria and studied adult matriculation. At this time wanted to go to university to study psychology or hospital administration but Dutch school certificates were not recognised. So, on days off nursing, studied for matriculation exams. Just prior to exams gained recognition for his Dutch exams!!! 1958-60. (Married 13/5/61) d)Worked in administration department of Bendigo Benevolent Home (Now Anne Caudel Centre) while studying hospital administration (University of NSW) 1961-63. (Built houseMt Waverley (1963-69) e)Administrative officer - Royal Melbourne Hospital (still studying) f)1969 Manager Corowa Hospital (NSW) g) 1971-74 Manager Myrtleford WM District Hospital h) 1975 -1985 (?) Manager Annex Hospitals attached to Bendigo (Vic) Base Hospital. (Bought home in Bendigo) Had to then retire due to ill health. 1989 After retiring moved with wife to Hahndorf S.A., where became involved in volunteer activities and local matters. Assisted wife in her family business "All Seasons Comfort" - Aust. wool products. 1994-2001. Passed away 20/12/03.
I did not work. My husband did.
20 years in banking, as a clerk. 12 years in the airline industry. reservations and clerk.
Had our own busines, a cake shop, for 10 years. Then bought a motel for 5 years and after that another motel.
Joined EMMCO/EMAIL/WESTINGHOUSE June 1950 Retired in charge of Industrial- Electronics Lab Engineer January 1985
Been always connected to the building industry as a carpenter, supervisor, builder etc
I never worked in Australia, but my husband worked at the steel works and picked grapes when we first arrived but for most of the time he was self employed
I will have to attach a separate sheet to tell you my experiences with work As a migrant he first requirement was to earn enough money to keep going.
Housewife and worked.
Occupational therapy mostly. Later managed own retirement village, Now retired
1) Junior in menswear store 2) Assistant to manager in millinery factory 3) General manager 4) Self-employed as importer/manufacturers of textiles and allied lines.
Worked Rylands (piece work) 17 years labourer. Railway for 17 years.(as a carpenter maintenance man).
Landscape openness, mountain range, beautiful birds unsealed roads, open gutters, beaches,(Did not like life at “ skyville”) (Did not like being billeted out) so very happy to have own home family back together.
My work was in the field of carpets measurements quoting and laying of same. I am a budget counselor and voluntry SVD Paul worker.
Worked on a horse-stude farm. Then the NSW railway. then sheep stations. From there on the Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland. then 4 years as a sailor, in the merchant navy. Then road building contractor.
In 1952 there were not many jobs available. I had a certificate for Social Worker but that was not accepted here. I started as a waitress.
Teaching 1968- 1975. After that lots of volunteer work.
At 15, I was too old to go to school. Started work in Bulli Weavers. Then, through a family-member, got a job as cake decorator (2 years). Nursing 2 years, Bulli Hospital. Farming 1 year (Victoria) then marriage.
Joined the state govt. public service. Became an accountant and left after 20 years to manage a music store in the city for a further 18 years.
When we first arrived here I was book/housekeeper. My husband was a station hand. In 1958, he went share farming in the Hunter Valley and I was accountant at the Hunter Valley Lucerne Company for 8 years. Later paymaster at at Mono Steel, till retirement in 1987. Since then all my time is spent with ladies, teaching different crafts (all freebies - just for enjoyment).
Husband high school teacher Wife book keeper
My three months of schooling in this country were a complete faillure. then started work at the age of 15, away from home. With no money and little English, working was very difficult.
Gained professional qualifications in 1978. Worked as architect ever since.
Involved with classical music. Concert pianist and professor at Sydney Conservatorium.
My work as minister was 60% social and 40% religious. I worked among the whole Dutch community.
Housewife 9 years. School teacher 20 years.
I was a household help for several years and when the children left home I worked in a delicatessen shop.
First job in hardware store (2 years). Then carpentry (1 year). Then cabinet making in Brisbane. Then in Sydney 1972. Moved to Tamworth, in 1976. Started own kitchencupboard business, employing 12 people. Sold business early May, 2004.
I was a housewife. My husband did not want me to work. He worked at AWA as a toolmaker; then design draftsman. He worked there till retirement, at 65.
Spent 40 years working at BHP Port Kembla.
I worked in coal mining all my life. From labourer to Eng. Manager
Looking after sick people
Farm labourer. Share farmer. Shire worker. Gang foreman on Shire. Retired.
Importing seeds, plants etc., and some other merchandise.
Both my husband and I worked at Nuffield in Zetland. I worked at Smith clocks in Granville. I worked at carrier in seven Hills. We had a cake shop in Turramurra.
I have always worked as a medical technologist in nearly all of Sydney's public hospitals and in many privatepronologies. First full ti,e. Then on a relieving basis. I got plenty of experience this way!
Although a lot of wives of migrants worked, H. said no, he was the breadwinner and my task was being a housewife and mother to our children. When my youngest son was in Year 11, I started work as an Avon lady which I did for 25 years.
I worked at Guta Camp as administration and also on the switchboard. After settling in a home I did secreterial work till I was married and had my first child. I worked for 10 years.
1)Kitchen hand (Mater Hospital) Crows Nest for 4 months. 2)Machinist, Top Dog Men's wear production for 1.5 years. 3)Analysis Machine Operator at Metters Lmt. for 2 months. 4)Experienced nurse at St.Ronans Hospital and Manly Hospital 1953-1957(see on further paper).
Comptometer Operator Costing Clerk Bank Customer Service
We started as cooks in a live-in job, just to get accommodation. Second job on a dairy farm, also for the accommodation. Then back to Sydney, living in rented rooms and working in the tea factory. After half a year, worked in a cardboard factory a short while. Then tried being a salesman, selling fridges. Then got a job at an Oil co.. Was trained as an oil blender. Left after about 7 months. Got a job then as storeman driver, delivering groceries in the city. Next job was at the Ford car factory on the assembly-line, which lasted about 6 months. During those last years picked up the language well enough to start my own trade, which was building. Started as carpenter for several companies, big and small, for many years before starting on my own after requiring licence. Last 10 years of my working life worked for the state government. Public Works, in building and mainrenance section. Then another 5 years on my own, retired at 70 years of age.
Self-employed and welfare officer.
My work was in the field of carpets measurements quoting and laying of same. I am a budget counselor and voluntry SVD Paul worked.
I trained to be a shorthand/typist from 1954..aged 16. Then from 1958 trained to be a registered nurse and midwife. I moved to NZ in 1966.. and married a Kiwi. Returned here in 1988.
Did some casual housework for Aust. friends for about 4 years.
Back in the late 50's and60's it was easy to get a job. I must have changed at least 8 jobs. Because I hated going to school. I missed my friends.
We had another child 5 months after our arrival so I stayed home and looked after them. After 12 years we lived next to the land we bought and started growing strawberries.
Senior executive with Hilton. 4.5 years here. 70-90 hours a week but good lifestyle.
Always worked in the office. First as a clerk. Then assistant accountant and later as a paymaster.
Motor Mechanic
3 weeks as a painter 1.5 years as a assembler 8 months as a spotwelder 2.5 years as a second class welder 8 years as a s/metal worker welder 7 years as a s/m woker/welder in 50% partnership 13 years as selfemployed, Engineering Co. 8 years as a estimator/purchasing officer Retired.
3 months for papermerch in Clarence st.Sydney. 6 years manager grocery people 3 years manager shoe shop (Fays-Gardener) 4 years own shoe shop 6 years real estate (got my ticket ALS R.E. Agent & B.A.)
Working for the DACC,need to say more ;) ?
Apprentice pastry cook, merchant sailor thnn steelworks career (supervisor).
Woolworth.
Worked different jobs for first 4 years.Afterwards worked 29 years for same company - sales rep./manager.
I worked just under 2 years for the Standard Insurance,Pitt Street (now demolished).
Started work in Hostel 2 days after arrival. Worked as a nurse after leaving Hostel.Did E.N.'s training for 1 year.
Between 52 and 61, a variety of jobs. None very worthwhile. Then joined a large export meat processor, where I became a senior executive and after serving that company for 26 years, I retired.
Last 10 year in Aged Care.
After my first six months I worked in a factory. Came to Sydney to study for priesthood ( with Pallotine Fathers). After leaving in 1959 and visiting Holland, had several jobs until I started our own hardware and garden centre, in 1970. Sold this in 1990 and we are now retired.
First year as labourer to acclimatise. 2.5 years as cost clerk, at Clyde Engineering. 10 years as manager of clothing factory. 10 years as managing director of Arts Centre.
Worked as project manager.
Only worked for 2 years as a Customer Service Officer for a Superannuation administrator. Then became a full-time mum
Came here as a retiree
Painter 4 years Rigger 12 years Miner 10 years
Reg. nurse 25 years Housewife 8 months
Concrete worker. Farmhand. Leading hand in Deep Freezer.
1964-6: Laboratory assistant. 1967-72: Medical student. 1973 to present: Doctor. 1983-89: Law Student (P/T) 1990 to present: Barrister, as well as doctor.
Worked as sales assistant. Bonds clothing factory until married at 18.
1)In Albuty, part time job in office. 2)As a waitress and later chamber maid in hotel - The Chalet at Mount Buffalo. 3)In office of A.W.A, York St.Sydney - 8 yrs. Later, Import office then temporary jobs - secretarial - office at Film Tronics,Ryde - 4 yrs.
First worked in a big store; TC Byrne, Brisbane, as store clerk. Next Finney Isles (Brisbane) in bakehouse. C'wealth employment service Maitland and Sydney; clerk, telephonist.
For about 4 years I worked with young children .After that the children came along. Have continued to work when convenient, with youngsters.Community work was very important.
Carpenter, building and joinery works proprieter, Dry Cleaning business owner/operator, C.E.O.of 4 different Hospitals in N.S.W., Building Society Director, restaurant owner and operator, Bi-weekly country newspaper Editor/Managing Director, Shire Councillor, Rotarian, Buiding Restoration Contractor, Liquor Store owner/operator, Country Club Director, now retired
My primary education was in Bourke ,secondary and university life in Canberra where I graduated as a ANU in 1974 .I have worked in both Victoria and NSW
Nursing and housekeeping
Smallgoods maker 15 years Machineman in mine
10 years Truckdriver 08 years Fitter 10 Years Manager Gaurie Norfolk Island
Worked at David Jones,did my leaving certificate(again).Went to university .Did architecture,worked at Angus & Robertson started at aged 25 building company with my parents.
Started the second day after arrival in the heavy industry at Port Kembla and worked there for 31 years in different positions.
My (federal)contact person whom I briefly met a few days after arrival,died in car accident 2 days later before employment matters could be explored.
I worked as a paymaster (3.5 yrs)and secretary (5.5 yrs)in 2 jobs at home on W/E.My husband and I built our house and started a small farm.
Obtained matriculation certificate from Sydney Tech. College; then 4 years at NSW university of Technology - graduated 13 April 1957 in Electrical Engineering (B.E.). Worked in industrial electronics till May 1959; then at Dept. of Motor Transport (now RTA) till retirement on 4 March 1994.
Departed Holland as apprenticed carpenter with two years experience as a fully fledged tradsman.Worked in Geelong as a tradesman carpenter and joiner for 5 years.Went to Canberra to gain more experience and to live away from my parents.Worked there on different projects (hotel/concrete)and cottage work to a partnership as a joinery works.I undertook a evening class at TAFE to more instructions based on Australian rules how things were built here,Went bush for over 12 months near Ungarie and Tullibegeal working for myself carring out small and larger type work but on my own account.To hot in this country for my new wife to be and moved to Orange NSW.Started in a small way again to gain more experience and also find my way in a new city.Again worked in cottage construction and larger type jobs such as schools and became leading hand and foreman.Worked as a cottage builder building my own houses,then to be sold.Went in meantime to evening classes Tech to gain my Clerk of works Certificate in 1969 ,on completion I stated as a building inspector for Department of Housing(Housing Commission)in Orange for the next 25 years until I retired in 1992.
My first job was at York Motors ,ROOLS royce and Plymouth dealers in Williams St Sydney (Detailer) Then I went to work as a waiter at the Wentworth Hotel Lane St Sydney(Quantas Hotel).My last job was with Mutual Acceptance Finance as a representative in York St Sydney.
First time: Owned Deli with husband (German). Second time: Divorced and one of the “gypsy” casual workers.