Even in BBM's earliest days applicants came forward from widely separated areas
in the U.K. and from all social strata. All these young men, ranging in age from 16 to
21, had at least one thing in common - the courage to leave their families and
familiar surroundings to seek a new life in a new land. They were not escaping from
oppression but were motivated by a spirit of adventure and a belief that Australia
had much to offer them. It is not surprising that the great majority achieved material
success and became permanent and valuable citizens.
The early plan was to select lads who were keen to start their new lives on farms,
and about 2,000 "Little Brothers" were sponsored from 1925-30. The following years
of economic depression saw the suspension of all organised migration though
B.B.M. retained its entity in the interest of its earlier nominees.
The work was resumed in 1939 when about 70 lads arrived just before the outbreak
of World War II. Nearly all of these joined one of the Services as they reached 18.
Sadly at least 9% of 1939 arrivals are known to have lost their lives on active service.
By 1946 the B.B.M. Committee in the U.K. was again receiving a flood of
applications and the first post-war group arrived in August 1947. Then followed 35
years of uninterrupted migration to a total of approx. 10,000.
In 1947 the Movement purchased a 500 acre farm about 25 miles from Sydney,
financed by a successful appeal for funds for that purpose. It was established as a
War Memorial to "ex-Little Brothers" who lost their lives in World War 2. It
functioned as a reception and accommodation centre for the groups of lads and
provided some elementary training in general farm work.
From 1949 applicants were free to choose any type of employment for which they
were suited. A hostel to provide preliminary accommodation for those who sought
employment other than farming was established in the Sydney suburb of Homebush
in 1950, largely financed by a bequest by the late Thomas Gunning of Manly. It was
appropriately named "Gunning House".
Selection criteria was varied over the years in accordance with employment demand
and in the best interest of the applicants. From 1975, in the light of growing
unemployment amongst the unskilled, selection was limited largely to young men of
about 20 who had successfully completed apprenticeships or other forms of training
in "demand categories". The plan proceeded most satisfactorily until the end of the
1982.
INFORMATION AND ADVISORY SERVICE
The Movement maintains a contact and communication role with hundreds of "ex-
Little Brothers" and is continually adding to these numbers. The production of
newsletters and reunions represent just two of the means of contact. Our records
are able to supply "ex-Little Brothers" with legal proof of their arrival in Australia
when applying for citizenship or passport requirements.