October 2018 represents the 50th anniversary of our branch of the family coming to Australia.

We arrived at Fremantle Passenger terminal having travelled from Tilbury England on R.M.S Oronsay a P&O liner.  We left on Friday 13 September 1968  with my father declaring "we will never make it down the Thames". The ship left the quayside with many streamers being thrown, music playing and many tears, in those days air travel was not as prevalent as today and some people were worried they might not see loved ones again.

For my brother and I the ship was a very new experience with decks, games, swimming pools, and bunk beds. Chocolate mint icecream and fancy foods in the restaurants.

Our first stop was Rotterdam in the Netherlands, followed a few days later by Lisbon in Portugal, then to Dakar in Senegal, Capetown South Africa, Durban South Africa and then to Fremantle.

A journey of some 4 weeks.

A lot has happened in the last 50 years. People have grown up, married, divorced, made friends, travelled, had accidents, had children and Dad has passed.

We have to say thank you for the decision that took us to Western Australia and to a new life, it was not always easy, we had to learn to assimilate, to find our feet and to fit in. We were fortunate to have many good friends and to find a very special person in Aunt Lorna that helped a lot in getting us to be Australian.

50 years and maybe we can sing.