December 2024
The rich memories of Peter Razeng at Bonegilla
Peter Razeng’s first impressions when he arrived in Australia were of the open space, sunshine and the lovely sounds of the kookaburras and magpies.
"They called it a cackleberry, the kookaburra, because it cackled.The laughing bird,” he remarked.
Peter arrived at the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre in 1956 when he was seven years old, after his family left war torn Europe to settle in Australia.
With the Soviet Union’s expanding into neighbouring countries, his father Alfred decided to leave in search for a safer place for his family.
READ THE FULL STORY [[link removed]] Consular visit
Dr Katalin ZÁMBÓ, Head of the Consular Office of Hungary, Melbourne, visited us in October. Our guide Diana discussed the site's history, shared migrant stories and spoke about Hungarian migrants who passed through the camp.
Ambassador tour
In November, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Australia, Ardi Stoios-Braken also paid a visit. During her guided tour with others she was able to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences faced by the Dutch and other migrants upon their arrival to Australia.
Celebrating Australia’s post-war migrant history
What an incredible day we had at Discover Bonegilla, held on Saturday, November 16 at Bonegilla Migrant Experience.
Over 160 visitors came together to celebrate the rich history of the former Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre, with people traveling from all over Australia and even from overseas to join us.
The event was a wonderful opportunity to come together and reflect on the stories of those who once called Bonegilla home.
Visitors enjoyed the day participating in a number of experiences. Highlights included Andra Putnis's captivating author talk, engaging panel discussions and fascinating cultural and historical exhibits - and of course our guided tours. Vibrant music from Red Rosy Cheeks and Chloe Jade set the scene.
We would like to thank all those who attended, and the many volunteers and groups who made this event such a success.
Returning to the past at Discover Bonegilla
On August 16,1952 Duilio Mauro arrived at Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre.
72 years later he returned with his family for Discover Bonegilla, reconnecting with his past and creating memories with loved ones. It was a day full of reflection, emotion and pride for Duilio and his family.
His daughter Lucy shared how meaningful the visit was, expressing that it had been years in the making.
"This is such an important day for Dad and all of us," Lucy said.
"We’re so grateful to BME for supporting us and making this journey possible.”
Thank you, Duilio and family, for sharing your experience with us.
Holiday reading
Many of the first Bonegilla residents were displaced persons from war-torn Latvia. Andra Putnis' memoir, Stories My Grandmothers Didn't Tell Me captures their powerful experiences. In stock at our Welcome Centre, stop by to pick up a copy.
Upcoming guided tours
Step back in history, join our expert guide and walk in the footsteps of more than 300,000 newly arrived migrants. Immerse yourself in post war history, explore original camp buildings and discover stories of resilience, hope, and new beginnings.
Regular guided tours l Depart at 11am on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday each week, expect for Chritmas Day.
Additional guided tours l Depart at 11am as follows:
December
Thursday, December 26 Friday, December 27 Monday, December 30
January
Friday, January 3 Monday, January 6 Friday, January 10 Monday, January 13 Friday, January 17 Monday, January 20 Friday, January 24 Monday, January 27 LEARN MORE AND REGISTER [[link removed]] School holiday fun!
Pack a picnic, get the family together and join us for loads of fun and discovery. Take part in a scavenger hunt, follow the suitcase trail or play traditional games while you explore the historic site. Free admission for children 16 years and under.
Christmas day closure
Bonegilla Migrant Experience remains open each day from 10am to 4pm over the summer holidays, except for Christmas Day and days declared Catastrophic Fire Danger days. We look forward to welcoming you - Happy holidays!
In the middle of nowhere
A significant place for many migrants, the Bonegilla Rail Siding now has signage detailing the long train journey many took to the camp.
The experience of arriving at an unknown destination, in the dark, with uniformed officials waiting for them, was confronting for many migrants who had come from war-torn Europe.
The signage also shares important history about the prior Army camp and the distinctive flora of the area.
The project, situated along the High Country Rail Trail, is the result of a collaborative partnership between Bonegilla Migrant Experience, Parklands Albury Wodonga and DEECA.
Hopes and Fears exhibition
If you're in Canberra, catch this exhibition at the National Library of Australia which commemorates the individuals who undertook challenging and arduous journeys that led them to Australia. See it before February 2 [[link removed]] ►
Family reunion at Bonegilla
During September we were delighted to welcome the Vandeligt family back to Bonegilla, who came together on-site to celebrate the 70th anniversary of their arrival here.
Although the family celebrated their 60th anniversary the same way 10 years earlier, Bonegilla records of the Vandeligt family were never found until only last year.
With the help of staff, new online records and an exhaustive search, the name 'Theodorus v.d. Ligt.' was uncovered. This revelation led to the discovery of 28 pages of migration records dated between 1953 and 1954.
“We were so happy and thankful for all the work that had been undertaken by Leanne and all the staff at Bonegilla Migrant Experience over the last two days.”
If you're interested in exploring the history of your family at Bonegilla, a great place to start is by searching the Bonegilla ID Card Lookup.
Looking to hold a family reunion or an event at Bonegilla Migrant Experience? Find out more [[link removed]] ►
SEARCH FOR AN ID CARD [[link removed]] We'd love your feedback
Have you recently visited us at Bonegilla Migrant Experience? Feedback is always welcome. The information you provide helps us better what we do every day. Complete the quick survey [[link removed]] ►
Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is general and is not offered as a complete or definitive statement of the relevant facts. Third party comments and information do not necessarily reflect the position of Wodonga Council and are provided only as a matter of interest, we therefore take no responsibility for the accuracy of third party material.
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