Migrant Camp at Mallala

Fast Facts
Street name	Aerodrome Rd
Town or Locality	Mallala
Used for	Accommodation

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The Commonwealth Government planned that an area of the Mallala RAAF base be established to accommodate personnel seeking settlement in Australia.

In 1949 the Department of Immigration altered and converted selected buildings for use as domestic accommodation.

Part of the Northern Section of the Royal Australian Air Force Base at Mallala was converted to accommodate newly arrived European migrants immediately on their arrival in Australia.  After it was officially opened on 1st October 1950, women and children lived in the hostel whilst the men sort employment, usually in Adelaide. The Migrant accommodation officially closed on 31st Oxctober 1951 as the Department of Defence required the area for other purposes.

Some of the families stayed in Mallala to become respected and well loved citizens.

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Memories of Migrant Camp at Mallala

Mrs Thaima Agnew recalls that when she arrived at the RAAF base at Mallala as a serviceman's wife early in 1952, there were still some migrants in residence. She says "It was resonably close to the married quarters and I loved to hear them singing in the evenings. I think they were Italians."

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