14 Probus members braved the cold morning on Thursday 10th July to visit what was Customs House formerly the gateway into Melbourne – a place that determined who could and could not belong to Australian society – now home of the Immigration Museum.
So many stories of power, loss, trauma, hope, struggle and triumph – we sure needed our glasses as lots to read.
I heard Mike say an hour was enough for him – in fact we were all grateful to wander up to the modern area with its bright lights.( See photos ).
I remember visiting that museum some 25 years ago ( it only opened to the public in1998 ) and it had a big impact on me but this time I felt like the messages were speaking to the converted or is it just being older and living in our multicultural country ?
Many of us lingered in the upstairs video room reminiscing over the days when we would go out and hire a video for the night – so many familiar titles. Meanwhile Lyn and Jan were doing some serious searching for the lost mockup sailing ship only to learn that it was dismantled 7 years ago. Milly wanted to track down the Fairsea migrant ship but seems it was easier to just google it !
And then it was lunch at the Williams Bar and Cafe – a very pleasant hotel cafe with rather large servings. Just ask Christine who received one big sandwich while Marilyn agreed to cancel her order so that I could share my bagel with her . So lucky with the rain holding off until most of us got home .
Janette James Convenor & Vice President
