Born in 1948?

Ron Williams

This is the ninth of the 1940s and the eighteenth book overall to be released in a series of 30 about life in Australia – one for each year from 1939 to 1968. They describe happenings that affected people, real people. The whole series, to coin a modern phrase, is designed to push your buttons, to make you remember and wonder at things forgotten. The books might just let nostalgia see the light of day, so that oldies and youngies will talk about the past and re-discover a heritage otherwise forgotten.

Hopefully, they will spark discussions between generations, and foster the asking and answering of questions that should not remain unanswered. In 1948, there was no shortage or rationing and regulation, as the Labor Government tried to convince voters that war-time restrictions should continue into the future. The concept of free medicine was introduced, but doctors (still controlled from Britain), would not co-operate, so medicines on the cheap were scarcely available to the public.

Immigration Minister, Arthur Calwell, was staunchly supporting our White Australia Police, though he was generously prepared to allow five coloured immigrants from each Asian nation to settle here every year. There was great interest in the royals in Mother England, and the birth of Prince Charles was hailed with glee. Blood was flowing freely in Palestine and India, Catholic dogs were jumping like frogs back at home. And an unknown Sailor went Unloved by our censorious Government.