Bas Wie was an orphan who had survived the Japanese occupation of Timor during World War II. He worked in the kitchens at Kupang airport for food. He remembered the Australians’ liberation of Timor during the war and their kindness as they offered him sweets. When Bas heard that a Dutch plane on the runway was going to Australia, he determined to stowaway. The plane door was locked, so he folded himself into the only available space – the wheel compartment. Click on the image to read more from the National Archives Australia.
Bas Wie | naa.gov.au n.d., viewed 01 August 2024, https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/immigration-and-citizenship/migrant-stories/indonesia/bas-wie
The Egyptian ship SS Misr arrived in Melbourne in April 1947 with 624 men, women and children on board. One of the first postwar migrant ships to dock in Australia carrying many non-British migrants, its arrival was met with unprecedented controversy, both for the terrible conditions on board and for the reported 'animal-like' behaviour of the passengers. Click on the image to read more from the National Archives Australia.
Image Courtesy of VerticalScope n.d., MISR, Ships Nostalgia, viewed 01 August 2024, https://www.shipsnostalgia.com/media/misr.112591/
The migrant ship MS Nelly carried the first German migrants under the bilateral assisted passage scheme signed on 29 August 1952. The ship departed Bremen in early November and arrived in Melbourne on 5 December 1952. Those on board had agreed to work as directed for the Commonwealth of Australia for two years, in exchange for a heavily reduced fare.
Click on the image to read more from the National Archives Australia
The voyage of MS Nelly, 1952 | naa.gov.au n.d., viewed 01 August 2024,https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/immigration-and-citizenship/migrant-stories/migrant-ships/voyage-ms-nelly-1952