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George Cross Falcons Club, Cringila, NSW, 2004
(Image courtesy of the Migration Heritage Project)
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GEORGE CROSS FALCONS CLUB
Malta was one of the first countries to sign a migration agreement with Australia. The assisted passage agreement was signed in 1948 and was offered to the Maltese because they were classified as 'white British subjects' for the purposes of Australia's immigration policy.
Established in 1951 for the Illawarra Maltese community, Lorry Pave, John Mallia, Joe Cassar, Joe Magro and others decided it was now time to start a proper club so they organised a committee meeting which was held in a tin shed across from the club or otherwise they would meet in each other’s houses respectively. A fee of 10 cents per week was given by each member which went towards funding for the Club.
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Maltese community working party constructing the club
(image courtesy of the George Cross Falcons Club for the Migration Heritage Project Places Thematic Study)
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In 1953 two block lots were bought for 200 pounds each. In 1955 two basement rooms were built all by volunteers. These two rooms were used as a place where the Maltese Community could meet to play cards and in no time at all the club had a soccer team and joined the business houses competition. A few years later members were asked to donate to the club the sum of 50 pounds for material so that the club can build an upstairs section. Once again, all the work was done by volunteer labour. This work was started in the 1960s and it was finished in a few years. This is where the club is today. (Information provided by Vincent Zammit for the MHP Preserving Local History Workshop, 2004)
The George Cross Falcons Club was probably the first migrant community club in the Illawarra. In addition to the 2004 MHP workshop, the MHP held an exhibition about the Club in 2006.
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The former Ukrainian Club in Auburn Street Wollongong, now the WEA
(Image courtesy of the Migration Heritage Project, 2006)
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From 1948 to 1953, more than 600 migrants of Ukrainian background settled in the Illawarra. They were political migrants who came to Australia under the displaced persons program. The first Ukrainian Society in the Illawarra started in Thirroul in 1951 and several years later another society started in the Unanderra migrant hostel. In 1963, the Ukrainians purchased a weatherboard house in First Street, Wollongong. It served as a centre for meetings, Sunday school, dancing school, choir practice and a place where the Ukrainians could celebrate the special days from their history. In 1969, two vacant blocks were purchased in Auburn Street, Wollongong, not far from the station. Architect Phillip Green drew up plans and construction started in 1971, using volunteer labour.
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Plaque commemorating the official opening of the Ukrainian in 1975
(Image courtesy of the Migration Heritage Project, 2006)
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By 1988, all debts were paid off, with substantial volunteer effort. But by the mid 1990s, the club’s activities were not paying their way, and the society found it difficult to interest the younger generation in the enterprise that their parents started. In 1998, the building was sold at auction to the Workers Education Association (WEA).
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The Fraternity Bowling & Recreation Club, Bourke Street, Fairy Meadow
(Image courtesy of the Migration Heritage Project, 2019)
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In 1952 an initial meeting attended by 46 members from both the Italian and Australian communities was held at the Tarrawanna Hall. At this meeting it was unanimously decided to form the South Coast Social & Fraternity Club and officials were elected Pro Tem including the Chairman, Mr Mario Borgo. Applications were taken for shareholders at a maximum of ten pounds each and a decision was made to approach Mr Fogliatti of Bourke Street Fairy Meadow to purchase some of his land on which to build the club.
The building of the club was helped by volunteers from the local Italian community. The club was officially opened on in August 1953 by Mr Alan Reeks, the then manager of Mt Keira Colliery. Over 300 people attended the opening. (South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus, Thursday 3 September 1953, page 1).
Possibly the largest and most successful club in the Illawarra that was built by migrants, the Fraternity Club has not been without its problems having gone into receivership and once again the members of the Italian community donated money for the Club to stay open and continue trading. It continues to flourish today.
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Volunteer workers during the building of the Fraternity Club
(Image from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society)
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Opening of the Fraternity Club. From left Rex Connor, Fred Lowden and Mario Borgo
(Image from the collections of the Wollongong City Library and the Illawarra Historical Society)
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Members enjoying a game of boccee at the Fraternity Club, 1964
(Image courtesy of the National Archives Australia NAA: A12111, 1/1964/22/18
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THE ILLAWARRA FOOD BUSINESS
Stories of Early Migrants Who Tantalized Our Palettes
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From 12 August to 14 October 2019, the panels from this MHP exhibition were on display at the Curio Gallery in Church Street Wollongong. First launched in June 2017, this popular exhibition, which was researched, curated and designed by the MHP, showcases the individuals who brought new flavours and colours to the palates of the people in an emerging city that we know and love today. Many people believe that Wollongong became a multicultural city after WWII but in fact there were many people who lived in and influenced the culture of Wollongong long before the second world war.
The Wollongong City Council’s Curio Gallery, an outdoor exhibition space easily accessible as you walk down Church Street, provided the MHP the opportunity to again present these early migrant’s stories. If you would like to learn about the exhibition panels click on the Illawarra Food Business Exhibition button below.
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MUSEUM OF HUMAN MIGRATION
FEASIBILITY STUDY
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The feasibility study is moving forward. Catch up with what has been happening from our website. Click on the latest news button below.
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WEST DAPTO CATHOLIC CEMETERY
THE EARLY FAMILIES
By Wendy & Terry Nunan
PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY NOW
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After five years preparation, Wendy and Terry Nunan’s first publication on those buried in West Dapto Catholic Cemetery will be published in November 2019, just in time for purchase as an ideal Christmas present for anyone interested in general Dapto History.
Included in the publication is a 52 page chapter detailing the history of the local Dairy Industry, Dapto’s numerous dairy factories (6 at one stage!!), and the creation of Dairy Farmers Co-op to take on the Sydney companies. The publication also covers the history of the Lake Illawarra Regattas, the development of Reed Park, the coming of the Dapto Water Supply, a synopsis of the Illawarra Harbour and Land Corporation Scheme and a review of early land ownership backed by numerous land ownership maps. There are summary of transcripts of over 2000 land transactions tracing the land holdings of the pioneers families both on the land and in the town, as well as biographies of approximately 300 persons buried in unmarked graves, this publication being the sole material reminder of their presence in the local area. These biographies include renowned Dapto publicans John Reed and P.J. Curry as well as businessman J.J. Vining, whose wives are buried in the cemetery. Their extensive biographies detail their early lives and the roles they played in the development of the Dapto area.
To place your pre-order please email Wendy & Terry Nunan at wich53@gmail.com to request an order form. Pre-orders must be completed and returned with payment prior to 4 October 2019
Price to 4 October 2019 $130 Price after 4 October 2019 $150.
1408 A4 pages presented in two hard-covered volumes documenting over 600 members of Dapto pioneer families (families whose first burial in this cemetery occurred pre-1900) and fully indexed.
ALL FUNDS RAISED GO TOWARDS ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF THE CEMETERY
All enquiries ring Wendy & Terry 42570042, or Jenny at St John’s Parish Office 42611315
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Have you enjoyed reading our newsletter? Would you like to find out more on migrant heritage in the Illawarra. Then hop on over to the MHP website. Catch up on the latest via the MHP Facebook page and by liking the page you will automatically receive the latest posts via your newsfeed that will immediately provide you with snippets of migrant history and events in between our quarterly newsletters. Likewise, follow the MHP on Instagram or view some of the videos uploaded to the MHP YouTube channel. All the links are available from the icons in the footer below. It's just one click and you're there.....
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