Bonegilla Migrant Experience 70 Year Anniversary Celebration event program

Celebrate 70 years since the opening of the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre

anniversary

rmances o f r e p l a r u sic urs - Cult lk - Food and mu a Guided to t - Author s g in n e e r Film sc

Event program Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19 Anniversary Celebration - Saturday, November 18

Event program at a glance Event

Venue

Date(s)

Time(s)

Bookings required

Guided tours

BME

Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19

11am and 2pm

No

Self-guided tours

BME

Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19

10am to 4pm

No

Hut to Hut short films

BME

Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19

10am to 4pm

No

Recreation Hut exhibition

BME

Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19

10am to 4pm

No

Bonegilla Collection Tours

Albury LibraryMuseum

Wednesday, November 15

11am and 2pm

Preferred

Saturday, November 18

11am and 2pm

Preferred

Sunday, November 19

12pm

Preferred

Thursday, November 16

7pm

Yes

Friday, November 17

7pm

Yes

Saturday, November 18

3pm and 7pm

Yes

Hotel Bonegilla community performance

HotHouse Theatre

German Austrian Club celebration

German Austrian Club

Friday, November 17

From 6pm

Yes

Me and Bonegilla performance

BME

Friday, November 17

2pm

Yes for school groups

Saturday, November 18

11am and 2pm

No

Anniversary celebration

BME

Saturday, November 18

11am to 4pm

No

Bonegilla Hall Market

Bonegilla Hall

Saturday, November 18

10am to 2pm

No

Bonegilla, Benalla and Beyond Author talk

BME

Saturday, November 18

1pm

No

Sunday Roast lunch

BME

Sunday, November 19

12pm to 2.30pm

Yes

Cafe Culture series - Wikimen music performance

The Cube Wodonga

Sunday, November 19

5pm

Yes

BME = Bonegilla Migrant Experience

3

70-year Anniversary event program

Guided tours Monday, November 13 to Friday, November 17 and Sunday, November 19 11am and 2pm daily Bonegilla Migrant Experience See the site with a guided tour, discovering Block 19 Bonegilla, the last remaining block of more than 24 blocks that made up the Bonegillla Migrant Reception and Training Centre, which received and trained migrants to Australia following World War II. Duration: One hour (no bookings required) Cost: Adults $11, children $9 and family $25 (two adults and two children)

Self-guided tours Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19 - 10am to 4pm daily Bonegilla Migrant Experience Collect a site guide from the Welcome Centre on arrival and explore the buildings and site at your leisure.

Duration: Catering for short and extended visits Cost: Free

4

70-year Anniversary event program

Hut to Hut short films Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19 - 10am to 4pm daily Bonegilla Migrant Experience Move between the Block 19 accommodation huts sharing experiences and take a step back in time.

Enjoy short films from Little Big Shots: Australia’s International Film Festival for Kids.

Cost: Free

5

70-year Anniversary event program

Recreation Hut exhibition Monday, November 13 to Sunday, November 19 - 10am to 4pm daily Bonegilla Migrant Experience The Recreation Hut building was originally identified as a recreational mess hut during the Army occupancy years. The hut was the central amenities core of the block layout and stands today as an example of life within the migrant centre.

The hut features an insight into recreational activities at Block 19 and shares the life stories of two former residents, Wanda Skowronska and Giovanni Sgro, along with a children’s activity table and the Remembering Bonegilla short film animation by 3Hand Studios.

Cost: Free

6

70-year Anniversary event program

Bonegilla Collection Tours at Albury LibraryMuseum Wednesday, November 15 - 11am and 2pm Saturday, November 18 - 11am and 2pm Sunday, November 19 - 12pm Albury LibraryMuseum, Cnr Kiewa and Swift streets, Albury, NSW For more than 30 years AlburyCity has collected objects owned by former residents of the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre. There are things that people brought from their homeland that gave them comfort, including photographs, domestic appliances, children’s toys, books and clothing, rarely seen photographs, artefacts and new acquisitions.

Duration: 45 minutes Cost: Free. Bookings preferred but not essential.

Phone (02) 6023 8333

AlburyCity Collection, ARM B125.4 7

70-year Anniversary event program

Hotel Bonegilla community performance

by Tes Lyssiotis Thursday, November 16 - 7pm Friday, November 17 - 7pm Saturday, November 18 - 3pm and 7pm HotHouse Theatre, Gateway Village, Lincoln Causeway, Wodonga In 1997, HotHouse Theatre sprang to life with a large-scale community production of a new Australian play, Hotel Bonegilla. Thirty-four local performers - many with close family ties to Bonegilla - raised The Butter Factory Theatre roof with a passionate production dedicated to the many post-war migrants who came to the region to forge new lives.

In the political climate of 2017, Tes Lyssiotis’ play still resonates powerfully, as she draws on the very personal stories and experiences of people who arrive, and strive, to make Australia their new home.

Duration: 65 minutes approximately Cost: Full $25, Concession $20, Student $15. Bookings essential.

Phone (02) 6021 7433 or hothousetheatre.com.au

8

70-year Anniversary event program

Celebrate the 70th Anniversary at the German Austrian Club Friday, November 17 - from 6pm German Austrian Club, 5 McFarland Rd, Wodonga Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre at the German Austrian Club. Enjoy live music by the Vardos Trio - gypsy and traditional music from eastern Europe - and the warm hospitality of the local club members.

Cost: Entry - $10 non-members, $5 members. European style meals - $15 per person. German and Austrian beers at bar prices.

Bookings essential. Phone (02) 6024 6905, 0423 659 655 or email gaaclub60@gmail.com

9

70-year Anniversary event program

FEATURE EVENT

anniversary 70-Year Anniversary Celebration Saturday, November 18 - 11am to 4pm Bonegilla Migrant Experience 12pm - Official welcome by Wodonga Mayor Cr Anna Speedie 11am and 2pm - Me and Bonegilla performance 1pm - Author talk Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, flavours and surrounds of the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre - 70 years on.

Featuring live music from The Habibis, Gypsy Suitcase, Bohemian Nights, Diddly Eyes and Vardos, mini-museum exhibitions, author talk, Me and Bonegilla performances, European style food at the pop-up cafe, and beverages provided

by King Valley Brewery.

Cost: Free entry. Food and beverages at advertised prices. Gifts and memorabilia available for purchase at the Welcome Centre.

10

70-year Anniversary event program

Me and Bonegilla performance

by Two Friends Productions Friday, November 17 - 2pm Saturday, November 18 - 11am and 2pm Tudor Hall, Bonegilla Migrant Experience Imagine leaving your home behind and travelling to a new and unknown country to live, with only a couple of suitcases and a heart full of hope. Thousands of migrants experienced exactly this, as they travelled from Europe to Australia, and ended up at Bonegilla.

Discover what life was like for these migrants at Bonegilla through a heartwarming and entertaining play by Two Friends Productions. Using physical comedy, funny characters, and song, the performers will immerse you in the world of the Bonegilla residents, leaving you with a greater understanding not only of their plight, but of the greater effect they had on the local community and beyond. This play is suitable for all ages.

Duration: 55 minutes Cost: Free

11

70-year Anniversary event program

Bonegilla Hall Market Saturday, November 18 - 10am to 2pm Bonegilla Hall, Cnr Murray Valley Highway and Bonegilla Rd, Bonegilla Bonegilla Hall Market showcases local produce, craft, plants, products and services in a relaxed friendly atmosphere with all proceeds to support the Bonegilla Hall.

Cost: Free entry

Bonegilla, Benalla and Beyond Author talk Saturday, November 18 - 1pm Tudor Hall, Bonegilla Migrant Experience Dr Bruce Pennay speaks with Alexandra Dellios, author of Histories of Controversy: Bonegilla Migrant Centre and Jayne Persian author of Beautiful Balts: From Displaced Persons to New Australians about their new books, together with Sabine Smyth, organiser of the recent Benalla Migrant Camp Celebration and curator of the Benalla Migrant Camp photographic exhibition. They will be discussing what a current look at post-World War II immigration can show us.

Duration: 1 hour Cost: Free

12

70-year Anniversary event program

Sunday Roast lunch Sunday, November 19 - 12pm to 2.30pm Bonegilla Migrant Experience Find your place on a communal dining table, just like the former residents did.

Sit back and relax with a catered traditional Aussie roast and dessert accompanied by authentic European entertainment.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes Cost: Adults $35, children (2 to 12 years) $25 Limited tickets. Bookings essential and close at 4pm on Wednesday, November 15.

Bookings: The Cube Wodonga box office in person, on (02) 6022 9311 or thecubewodonga.com.au/tickets Ticket includes: • One welcome drink (Tea/Coffee/Soft Drink/Water) • Catered Aussie roast lunch and dessert • Entertainment

13

70-year Anniversary event program

Cafe Culture series: Wikimen music performance Sunday, November 19 - 5pm The Cube Wodonga The Wikimen have extraordinarily vast styles of music in their huge repertoire.

You can expect to hear Hawaiian blues, pop, samba, western swing, even Mills brothers songs complete with heavenly harmonies and exotica music for your listening and dancing pleasures.

Duration: 2 hours including interval Cost: Pre-purchased $27.50, Cube member $22, At door $30. Includes a drink on arrival. Bookings essential.

Venue: The Cube Wodonga Bookings: The Cube Wodonga box office in person, on (02) 6022 9311 or thecubewodonga.com.au/tickets

14

70-year Anniversary event program

Bonegilla Migrant Experience Cafe Thursday, November 16 to Sunday, November 19 10am to 3pm daily Tea, coffee, cold drinks and light refreshments available for purchase.

Welcome Centre and gift shop 10am to 4pm daily Visit the Welcome Centre on arrival where staff and volunteers are on hand to assist visitors to the site.

Get your copy of the Bonegilla Migrant Experience site guide, join a guided tour, discover Block 19 Bonegilla with the Suitcase Trail or find out more about historic migrant centres. Request a copy of a Bonegilla ID Card or International Tracing Service documents, or find out how to search the National Archives of Australia. Gifts and memorabilia available for purchase.

The Arc memorial sculpture Do you know someone who migrated to Australia and stayed at Bonegilla? Add them to The Arc, a memorial sculpture which commemorates the individuals and families who arrived at the Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre between 1947 and 1971.

For $200 you can have the family name and place of origin engraved on a plaque and included in the sculpture. A certificate showing the plaque on the sculpture will be issued to the requesting person. This is a wonderful way to remember the journey taken by friends and family.

To purchase a plaque, complete the online application form available at bonegilla.org.au or obtain a copy of the form at the Welcome Centre.

15

Acknowledgements Bonegilla Migrant Experience would like to acknowledge the support of the following organisations.

Brought to you by Wodonga Council.

Supported through funding from the Australian Government.

Event program supporters

German Austrian Club

Accommodation

Blazing Stump Motel & Suites 4327 Anzac Parade, Wodonga, VIC 3690 blazingstump.com.au Phone: (02) 6056 3433

16

Beverages

Block 19 today

Open to the public Demolished or removed Closed to the public Private residence

Me and Bonegilla performance Author talk

Toilets

Welcome Centre

Cafe

Arc memorial

17

Bonegilla Migrant Experience location

d Sy

m Hu

31

Howlong & Corowa

y ne e

Fr

ee

y wa

M3

1

R i ve

r i na H i g h w a

y 58

Albury Melbourne

gilla

Rd

Murray River

Mu

rra

To B e

ech wor th

Bone

Wodonga yV all

ey

H i g h w ay

Ki

y

Hi

gh

w

ay

tta nga

le

er Riv wa Kie

Va l

la Tal

a

Lake Hume

Bonegilla ah nd ty da au an Be ck t Ya & M

ew

B

Bonegilla Migrant Experience

0 40

Visit us

Stay connected

82 Bonegilla Rd, Bonegilla VIC 3691 Phone: (02) 6020 6912

Register to receive the regular e-newsletter for what’s happening at Bonegilla Migrant Experience

Site open 10am to 4pm Seven days a week Free admission Please note: Disabled access available in selected buildings only. Buildings are not air-conditioned.

Visit bonegilla.org.au and follow us on BonegillaMigrantExperience bonegillame