Making Multicultural Australia - Bonegilla - a migrant reception camp Painting and photographs

“Reception”, Arrival Series silkscreen, Artist: Milan Milojevic. This work is part of a series which illustrates the contrast between the expectations of post war migrants in coming to Australia, and the harsh realities that greeted them here. Among these were the reception camps, like the one at Bonegilla. Collection of the artist.

English classes – though many residents continued to speak in their native language, most attended English lessons. Photo: Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, 1949, Catalogue No. 49/24/3

Leisuretime at Bonegilla Reception Centre. Photo: Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, 1949, Catalogue No. 49/22/19.

For many migrants and refugees, Bonegilla was their first “home” in Australia. While some spent no longer than a week, others waited up to two years for employment and alternative housing. Photo: Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, 1949, Catalogue No. 49/22/13

Nina Skoroszewski (right) and friends outside the women’s barracks, Bonegilla, Collection of Nina Skoroszewski.

Women’s barracks at Bonegilla, December Collection of Nina Skoroszewski

Block 9, Bonegilla, December Collection of Nina Skoroszewski.

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