From Wellington to Green Valley: Judy Chester and Janny Ely

Auntie Judy Chester and Auntie Janny Ely were born in Wellington in the 1950’s but moved to Caroline St, Redfern as children because of their mother’s ill health. When their father lost his job and couldn’t pay rent they were moved to the old army barracks at Herne Bay (Riverwood) while they waited for a housing commission home, and ended up at the new housing estate at Green Valley. They remember the factory smells of Redfern and the relief of Sydney’s multi-cultural community where they fit in. “Being a migrant was terrible, but being black was even worse.”

Keywords: Identity; suburban living; childhood; racism; moving; Redfern; change, city; change, attitudes

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All the video recordings on this website were made at least a decade ago. Some are fifteen years old.

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