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Story Gathering - The Post-war Immigration Experience

The information gathered in this survey will be used to inform documentary maker Simon Reich as to whether you and your family may be suitable candidates to be interviewed to potentially be included in a documentary about the post-war European immigrant experience. Ideally, interview candidates will have been teenagers or adults when they migrated in the 1940's or 50's so they have first-hand stories to relate.
The video interviews will take place in Griffith in June 2026, and the documentary will be shown at the Griffith Regional Theatre in August 2026, and will become part of the Griffith Library's collection of local history.
Survey respondents agree that they understand that they may not be chosen to take part in the interviews, and also agree that if they are chosen, that they will make themselves available for interviews in June, will share photos, memorabilia and information with the documentary maker, and agree to appear in the documentary.
Please complete as much of the survey as possible, but if there is anything you are not sure about, feel free to leave that question out. But the more information you can give us, the better.
If you require further information or assistance to complete this survey, please feel free to make contact with the Library (6962 8300) or the Theatre (6962 8444).
1.Your Name
2.Your Country of Origin
3.Your address
4.Your phone number
5.The name and phone number of a relative (as a secondary contact)
6.If chosen for an interview, what is your preferred time of day for the interviewer to visit you?
7.What year were you born?
8.What year did you leave your country of origin?
9.What was the ship name and the name of the sea port you left from?
10.What year did you arrive in Australia?
11.Did your parents come to Australia with you?
12.Did any brothers or sisters come to Australia with you?
13.Did you spend time at Bonegilla Camp?
14.Were you sponsored?
15.What was your first job in Australia?
16.What other jobs have you done throughout your life?
17.If you were or are married, what year did you meet your wife or husband?
18.What year were you married?
19.Could you please list the names, ages and genders of your children?
20.How many grandchildren do you have?
21.Do you have access to old photos?
22.Do you have access to current or up to date photos of your extended family?
23.Are you a Naturalised Australian now?
24.Are you happy you moved to Australia?
25.Do you still speak your original language?
26.Did you teach your children your original language?
27.Is it important to you to pass down your original culture to your children & grandchildren?
28.What made you move to Griffith or this district?
29.Have you been back to your country of birth?
Thank you very much for taking part in this survey.
We will be back in touch to advise whether we would like you to be interviewed for further information and inclusion in the documentary.
Either way, we'd love to see you come along to the Regional Theatre on Saturday 29 August 2026, at 3.00pm to watch the screening and enjoy light refreshments. Tickets are available from the Theatre Box Office.

Thank you,
Simon Reich - Documentary Maker
Margaret Andreazza - Theatre Manager
Chris Robson - Library Manager