EUROPA PARK A joint project by Cowra Rotary Club & Cowra Shire Council Dedicated to the displaced people from war torn Europe who lived in the Cowra Migrant Camp from 1949 to 1956 Situated on the Sydney road on the edge of town “Europa Park” was so named by the Cowra Shire Council at its general council meeting on 27th April 1999 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Cowra Migrant Camp. There were celebrations at the park a few days later on 1st May 1999, with an unveiling ceremony of the plaque which proudly stands within the parkland which reads: “This plaque commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Cowra Migrant Camp 19491999”.
The land, now aptly called “Europa Park” stands between the town and the site of the old migrant camp and was a significant area on the pedestrian path from the migrant campsite to town and return. To have the parkland dedicated to those wonderful migrants was one
thing, the cost of developing the park though and how it was done was quite another. The Landscape Architects, Outscape Landscape Architects of Grenfell, had been commissioned by the Cowra Shire Council to present a plan for the park’s development which envisaged three separate areas for development within the total landscape. They included a recreation area, a memorial wall, a meditative area and special areas for group gatherings. At that time Council just didn’t have the resources to proceed with any of the development. In 2001 the Rotary Club of Cowra Inc., which had initiated and been involved in many of the town’s projects since its inauguration in 1938 was invited by the Council to inspect the plans with a view to Rotary possibly taking on some role in the park’s development. With a heavy programme of their own before them, Rotary decided at that time it would have to let the opportunity pass. Two years later though when deciding upon a major local project to celebrate the Centenary of Rotary International in 2004/2005, the Rotary Board headed by the then President Maurice Walsh decided “Europa Park” should be the Club’s Centenary Project. It was decided also that the memorial wall should incorporate commemorative pavers to be available to families from the migrant camp and a plaque to each of the 27 nations that lived there. Flagpoles were also to be erected from which the flags of the 27 nations should fly from time to time on appropriate occasions. Thus, Rotary became involved. Principally, the first stage was the laying of the concrete pathway around the perimeter of the park, followed by the construction of the Memorial Wall with the Commemorative pavers and flagpole. The preparing and laying of the first slabs of pathway was undertaken by the Cowra Rotary Club members themselves. The pathway was completed early December 2004, and an official Departmental opening ceremony was held on 13th December 2004. Then followed the construction of the Memorial Wall with the Commemorative pavers and flagpoles. The Cowra Council maintains the grass area and supplies plants for the landscaping of the area and provision of a car park and the Rotary Club have continued with their work erecting fences around the cark park and developing the BBQ, shelter and toilet areas. The park and pathways are used by many locals and visitors to the town who find it is an area of great joy and relaxation.
Opening of Europa Park
Official Opening of Centenary of Rotary Project “Europa Park”. L-Robert MacKay(Rotary President), Bruce Miller (Mayor), Paul Couvret, Bruce Barber (Rotary District Governor) and John Bourke (Club Service Director) Mr Paul Couvret OAM, a former Cowra resident performed the official opening duties of the park on Saturday 26th February 2005 to celebrate the Centenary of Rotary. Mayor Bruce Miller spoke in praise of the project and the Rotary Club’s involvement and the Rotary’s District Governor, Bruce Barber responded to his comments, acknowledging the support of Mayor Miller and the Council. A great crowd turned out for the event as did many of the migrants themselves and their family representatives who travelled both near and far to be present.
A section of the crowd at the opening of Europa Park Rotary Memorial Wall
Rotary men working on the paths in Europa Park
Memorial Wall
Work was then to have commenced on the Memorial Wall. The initial design when found unsuitable led to a new redesign of the wall itself by Past President, Ray Kelly, who was team leader as Rotary Club members set about the walls construction, the laying of pavers and the mounting of flagpoles. The wall now stands as a proud monument, legacy, and a permanent reminder for the families of the migrants who occupied the Cowra Migrant Camp. Above the wall in rotation fly the flags of the twenty seven nations that were represented in the Migrant Centre and around its base are memorial pavers with the names of the families that lived there. Laying of memorial pavers is an ongoing activity of the Cowra Rotary Club and any families with a Migrant Centre background wishing to be included may contact the Cowra Rotary Club at P.O. Box 140, Cowra NSW 2794.
Migrants wishing to use “Europa Park� for reunions or anniversaries are most welcome and invited to do so. Contact the Cowra Shire Council on phone 63402000. From Military To Migrant Camp
View of layout of the camp cottages
In November 1939, the Cowra Chamber of Commerce petitioned the Australian Ministry of Defence for Cowra to become the site of a Military Training Camp for AIF trainees. Due to Cowra’s favourable geographic location; suitable railway connections, being between the main southern and western lines; Lachlan River frontage; local facilities such as a flour mill, accommodation and active Aero club; and the surrounding terrain, which was excellent for manoeuvres, were all deciding factors which resulted in the camp being built and completed by September 1940.
Looking back towards Cowra from the Migrant Camp When the war ended, the Cowra Military Camp was closed, and the camp buildings would later be converted into a migrant facility aimed at housing families. The Cowra Migrant Centre was a family camp, and was the biggest of its type in Australia. The camp housed women and children full time with the men working all around the state and returning to the camp on weekends to be with their families. There were as many as 2000 migrants who resided at Cowra Camp from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Italy, Poland, The Netherlands, Czechoslovakia, Ukraine, Yugoslavia, Germany and Russia in residence at the Cowra camp at any one time. In all 27 countries and over 17,000 migrants passed through the camp between 1949 and 1956. While the men were able to visit their wives at weekends or when they were able the camp was only intended as a holding area for the women and children and they were encouraged to find alternate accommodation for their family when they were able.
Arial view of Cowra Military/Migrant Camp
Migrant Camp Hospital Staff 1950
A staff of over 100 Australians helped to run the camp, with a large number of linguists and teachers. The camp had its own school although some of the more advanced students
attended the Cowra High School and Convent School. This started many friendships with the local children and still exist today. Skilled tradesmen, such as builders, electricians and bricklayers were needed and if local and district residents were able to offer accommodation to these men and their families it helped towards the growth of the town. Farming jobs were also available and the Railway Dept employed many men. Right : Principal Mr Les Snape with the “Penny Farthing� Bicycle
Those people who went through the ordeal and settled in the town have made a great contribution to Cowra in various avenues, such as business, culture and entertainment. It is difficult for us to fully realise how hard it must have been to say farewell to family, friends and the country of your birth in order to forge a new life in a far-flung country like Australia. They have not only survived but they have enriched us with their sweat and labour, their food, songs and stories and their allegiance to this, their new home. The Cowra Migrant Camp closed in 1956 and will always remain central to the memorable history of Cowra. Sadly and unbelievably no where in Australia is there a record of the name of any person who passed through the camp.
Post WWII
Migrant Camp Canteen run by Mrs Soko The largest number of immigrants to come into Australia occurred after WWII “Populate or Perish” was the catch-cry. Thousands of people arrived every year. Large numbers were involved in massive public works programs such as the Snowy Mountains Scheme, building dams for irrigation and hydroelectric stations for power. Many of the men from the camp were employed on these schemes. When they came to Australia they were contracted to the Government to pay back their fare for two years or were able to get jobs to pay back the Government. Some of the people who left the town went on to be come doctors, lawyers,teachers, artists etc. As it was just post war the people of Cowra didn’t have very much themselves, but where they could they shared what they had with the migrant people. One story was written that “the winter was so cold here and someone had donated a beautiful winter coat for me and I was so greatful.” Because of the various cultures and diets local store owners had to change their way of ordering food to cope with demand. It was because of the Migrant Centre and the many nations that lived there, we now have such a wonderful and varied diet.
Vorias’ Continental Delicatessen shop The local butcher, George Vorias, made a great contribution to this by orders in Melbourne and Sydney of many new culinary delights. Yogurt was another taste introduced to the town by the migrant people. When the milk kept for the babies became sour one enterprising occupant of the camp made yogurt which turned out to be a great success in the camp. The camp also had its own hospital although most of the babies born at the time were born in Cowra in the Alston Hospital and then transferred to the Camp Hospital. The Migrant Camp had its own Chapel although it is not confirmed what services were performed there as First Communions were took place at the Catholic Church in Cowra.
The Camp also had its own school and one Principal Mr Les Snape, put a great deal of effort into making furniture and organising entertainment for the children. On one occasion when the school required new furniture for the classrooms he locked himself away in the craft room and couldn’t be
contacted. When he finally emerged he had turned all the old desks into furniture for the children’s playroom.
Cricket teams were formed for the older children and competitions of basketball were played between the camp people and the townspeople. This led to a greater understanding of the new people that had come to town and spoke a strange language and struggled to learn English.
Cowra Migrant Camp Cricket Team with teacher John Sheldrick
Principal Mr Les Snape with the puppet show he made for the children Ukrainian Women’s Association 1999 the Ukrainian Women’s Association in Australia celebrated the founding of the society on September 13th 1949 in the Cowra Migrant Centre. Delegates from several states and the ACT arrived in Cowra resplendent in their traditional Ukrainian embroidered blouses. They were met by representatives of the Cowra Council, members of The Historical Society, members of the Cowra Rotary Club, the press and a large group of interested and enthusiastic townsfolk all of whom helpted to create a very festive atmosphere. The official opening took place in the Tourist Information Centre, where a comprehensive array of beautiful Ukrainian artefacts was on display. Mrs Halyna Danko, President of the State Executive of NSW, acting as hostess of the celebrations, greeted guest in the ancient Ukrainian tradition, with bread and salt, presented on an ornately embroidered cloth.
Having such pleasant memories of the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Cowra, the Ukrainian women returned to celebration their 55th Anniversary in September 2004. Right : 50th Anniversary Memorial plaque situated in Europa Park to mark the celebrations In September 1949, in the Cowra Migrant Camp, at the Initiative of Irena Pelenskyj, a group of twelve women gathered to form an organisation, which was to work for the ukrainian cause. They founded the “Alliance of Ukrainian Women� The organisation was based on the principles of preserving the Ukrainian identity in Australia. Its main objective was to foster Ukrainian awareness in future generations of Ukrainians by engendering in them the knowledge and love of Ukrainian language, culture, history and traditions. To a large extent, these women were emulating the example, which had been established by their sisters, working for the Ukraining cause, in the previous century. In Cowra, whilst still in the migrant holding facilities they held classes, teaching children Ukrainian language, writing, history as well as folk dancing and singing. They also promoted adult education, held English language classed, organised meeting to study Ukraining authors and marked important events in the Ukrainian calendar by organising festivities, such as St Nicholas’ Day, Christmas, Easter and many others.
Photos and Information supplied by courtesy of The Cowra & District Historical Society & Museum Inc.