Ten pound Poms.

[madaboutpurple]

If the offer of being a ten pound Pom would you go.? I wouldn't but I am interested to know what your answer would be. It would be too hot for me.

Snakes! That is all.

I did have a relative who went but it was before the war. He was only 16, and just took off without telling his family. I only met him years later, he settled and married I think but he was a pretty odd person.

Fil went as a child but came back later as his parents didn't want him or his brothers doing national service. They all joined the forces once they got back here (!) afaik he's never been back

Absolutely!! Have always wanted to visit but time and money have never really allowed. DD has just gotten back from her gap year trip around Australia and has absolutely fallen in love.. aiming to move once she graduates university. Mixed emotions from me! Secretly knew that once she visited she’d be hooked..

No. I don't think the grass is any greener. I had family who moved to Aus (not £10 poms), lived there for 20 years but never really regarded it as home. Said it was too hot, spiders etc and not cheaper than here.

Anyhow in the end they missed home too much so moved back, where they still happily live.

DH’s family were TPP in the 50s. His mum, dad, both sisters, uncle and auntie and grandma went. They came back after 2 years because DH’s dad didn’t like the weather and missed the football 😹 DH was born after they came back. We’ve still got photo albums documenting their trip which was long via various exotic countries.
I had an aunt and uncle who went in the 60s and also came back after 2 years. I remember going to Southampton to see them off and my granny crying because she’d never see them again.

No I have no desire to live in australia

Me and DH both have family who did it. But we’ve been, visiting and worked there, and no desire to live there. They have as many issues as the UK. And I hate spiders!

I wouldn’t hesitate if I were younger. I’d even consider it now.

It would be too hot for me.

Australia is a big place. It isn’t hot everywhere or all of the time.

No, but my opinions are based mostly on MAFS
and those Australian decluttering articles that occasionally pop up on the Daily fail.

I know a lot and most have been happy with their decision. English, Irish, Italian, Poles, Slavs and later an American teacher.

My dad got off the plane, looked up and marvelled at the big blue sky and has never regretted the decision. On his last trip home, he decided that all the reasons he left were still there plus a few more.

I lived in Australia for a year 1999-2000. It was a great experience but I’d have no interest in living there full time, the main reason being the sheer isolation from the rest of the world.

I’m embarrassed to say that I reported this thread. I should’ve googled the phrase first!

Yes- but I am Australian! I think (particularly at that time) Australia really was the land of opportunity and you could reinvent yourself and make your way.

Most of my great grandparents and grandparents were migrants anyway. From Eastern Europe one side and England and Scotland the other. My maternal grandmother was very sniffy about the ten pound poms because she said 'We PAID our way here'. but she was a crashing snob anyway so just needed another excuse to look down on people.

Years ago I remember my mum was desperate to go. She loved the Mills and Boon Australian Doctors romances. Not enough of a reason to go I feel. Us kids did NOT want to go. I don't know how Dad felt about but he is terrified of spiders. Only one occasion when Mum did not get her way!

Australia is a big, big, fuck-off big, continent.
Plentry of places have a climate similar to ours.
It isn't one amorphous mass

What caused you to report it?

My mother’s family were ten pound poms in the 1970s. I think they lasted 7 or 8 years and then my grandfather got homesick and dragged them all back.

I’d do it, absolutely. TBH any opportunity to leave this sad little island, I’d take.

I've lived there and loved it but wouldn't go back now due to commitments in UK.

If I was young and free, definitely.

It's not perfect but the people are unpretentious and hospitable. The blue skies are a huge draw. The spiders and roaches, not so much!!

Do you mind me asking why? Does it have another meaning?

I was a TPP, only three at the time, so no choice. Dad’s brother had gone several years before. My sister, who was 17, just left school, first bf, first job, did not want to go and 60 years later is still bitter about it. Mum especially didn’t settle and after 18 years they came home. Ironically I was the one leaving my life this time, but I’d done shite in exams, no job,my friends had mainly moved away and the family home had been sold. Regrets? Not really, life is too short to look back.

I used to read the romances set in the outback on giant cattle stations. That was my dream. Instead I left Australia at the age of 25 and spent the rest of my life working in European and UK cities. Totally opposite.

We are going to Queensland in August to see if we can find a location to move to once the DCs are out of school. They are both dual citizens so have the option of doing uni in Australia.

DMs cousin and her husband went in the 50s. From what I've heard it was a case of going because they felt they had to . The H was getting involved with East end gangs and it seemed like an opportunity to turn their lives around. They're in their late 80's now.

I did the year backpacking in Australia back in the late 90s. Had a great year amazing country to travel around and fantastic weather but I was definitely ready to come home by the end and I have never had any desire to return, unlike other places I have visited. Afaik it has got very expensive and is experiencing all the same social problems as most other places. I also found parts of Australia as very misogynistic and racist.

No. I’ve been. It’s beautiful but I didn’t like it. Can’t really put my finger on it, but it’s my least favourite country I’ve been to.

We (mum, dad, me and brother) were going to go in the 1970’s along with my uncle, auntie and two cousins. Wheels had been set in motion but then my uncle had two heart attacks in quick succession followed by open heart surgery so the plan was shelved.

I have wondered over the years what life might have been like had we gone but no regrets. Interestingly though it’s not a place I’ve ever felt the desire to visit. My brother went out to Perth some years ago to visit a friend who was an ex-colleague in the Met. Brother was recently divorced and his mate suggested that he try and get a transfer to the Australian police service. He was tempted but decided to come home - he was another who said he couldn’t put his finger on it but he just knew that it wasn’t for him.