2005 Media Releases
June 29, 2005
One million ten pound poms
A million poms will be launched in Melbourne on Friday (1 July).
MP for Lalor and Labor Federal Health Shadow Minister, Julia Gillard, will launch the book Ten Pound Poms: Australia’s Invisible Migrants at 6 pm at the Immigration Museum, corner Flinders and William streets, Melbourne.The book was written by Dr Jim Hammerton, formerly an Associate Professor and now Honorary Research Associate in La Trobe University’s History Program and Dr Alistair Thompson, Reader in Continuing Education and History at Sussex University UK.
The launch will be held after a full-day symposium at the Immigration Museum from 9.00 am to 5.30 pm, on post war British migration to Australia.
Speakers include the authors, James Jupp, Sara Wills, Mark Peel, Andrew Hassam, Lorraine Proctor and Carole Hamilton-Barwick.
About a million English people arrived in Australia after 1945 —and half a century later their story has finally been told.
Most were Ten Pound Poms—British migrants who paid 10 pounds for their fare and the Australian Government paid the rest.
Their joys, woes, problems, attitudes and feelings are now revealed with the publication of the results of a major research project into post-war British migrants in Australia.
In a massive project over five years, Dr Hammerton interviewed British migrants who had elected to make their life in Australia. Dr Thompson interviewed many who had migrated but later returned home.
The Melbourne launch is one of three official launchings of the book. The first was at Australia House, London on 16 June and the third will be by Michelle Rayner of the ABC History Unit at the Australian Historical Association Conference in Sydney on 7 July.
For further information:
Please contact Dr Jim Hammerton, Tel: +61 3 9479 2364, or mobile : 04 0980 4110; or
La Trobe University Public Affairs Office,
Tel: +61 3 9479 2316.