Andrew Partos

History
Immigration

Carvings
on site

Residents
in the past

1900 - 1920

1950 - 1984

Andrew Partos arriving in Sydney

Andrew Partos tells his story ....

I was an assistant migrant to Australia aboard an Italian ship named "Oceania" in 1953. In the 28 berth dormitory, most occupants were constantly seasick so some of us slept up on the deck whenever we could. The crew did not like this.

As the ship pulled into Sydney Harbour, there was a list of names read out - 40 or 50 names - and I was one of them. We were taken from the ship to the Manly Quarantine Station. We were told that there was a fear of foot and mouth disease so we needed to be treated. I have never been sure why these particular people were selected for treatment out of the 300 or so people on board except that some of us were refugees whilst others were Greek and Yugoslavian peasants.

Andrew Partos
June 1999

We were allowed to take one suitcase each with us. The suitcase and our clothing was taken away to be fumigated and each of us was given a blanket to wrap ourselves in. It was very cold - Winter time.

We were frightened. We were taken to the shower block. There were shower roses but no water in them.

A few hours later we were taken back to our ship and the ship was taken to the wharf. We had arrived in Australia! The puzzling thing was, that some of us had more than one suitcase but only one suitcase per passenger was put through the fumigation process. It was a very puzzling experience. We were held in Quarantine only a few hours.

1900 - 1920

1950 - 1984