Allan Parkinson was born in Beechworth in 1924. The eldest of eight children, his mother provided laundry services to the people of Beechworth whilst his father worked for the local tannery, trapping rabbits. Allan fondly remembers times spent during his childhood catching rabbits with his father. As his younger years were set amidst the experiences of World War Two and the Great Depression, Allan recalls a feeling of solidarity amongst the residents of Beechworth that was present during this time(for instance, sharing food with neighbours in wartime), as well as the disassociation he felt as a returning soldier after the war. Allan talks of the great number of 'New Australians' who arrived in Beechworth in the post-war years, many of them coming from war-torn countries in Europe. Before being integrated into Australian society, these 'New Australians' would often first spend time at the Migrant Reception and Training Centre in Bonegilla, Northern Victoria. They were taught English and learnt about Australian life before being billeted out across the country to fill labor shortages. Following time spent up in Queensland, Allan worked in the forestry industry, clearing thousands of acres across Victoria which were needed to plant pines. The interview ends with discussions of the famous Wheelbarrow Push from Beechworth to Mt Buffalo in 1935, of which Allan's Uncle Tom was a central participant; this is an event which has since become an annual fundraising tradition in Beechworth. This oral history recording was part of a project conducted by Jennifer Williams in the year 2000 to capture the everyday life and struggles in Beechworth during the twentieth century. This project involved recording seventy oral histories on cassette tapes of local Beechworth residents which were then published in a book titled: Listen to what they say: Voices of twentieth century Beechworth. These cassette tapes were digitised in July 2021 with funds made available by the Friends of the Burke. Mr Allan Parkinson's account of his life in Beechworth and the local area during the twentieth century is historically and socially significant to the cultural heritage of the region. He details important historical events and hardships that had lasting local, regional and national impacts, including Australia during wartime, post-war migration and economic struggles. This oral history account is historically and socially significant as it is part of a broader collection of interviews conducted by Jennifer Williams which were published in the book 'Listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century Beechworth'. While the township of Beechworth is known for its history as a gold rush town, these accounts provide a unique insight into the day-to-day life of the town's residents during the twentieth century, many of which would have been lost if they had not been preserved. This is a digital copy of a recording that was originally captured on a cassette tape. The cassette tape is black with a horizontal white stripe and is currently stored in a clear flat plastic rectangular container. It holds up to forty minutes of recordings on each side. Mr Allan Parkinson / allan parkinson, oral history, beechworth forestry, forestry industry, beechworth tannery, jennifer williams, rabbit trapping, new australians, australian depression, rabbiting, bonegilla, bonegilla migrant camp, 20th century beechworth, wheelbarrow push beechworth to mt buffalo, barrowthon, wheelbarrow push 1935, listen to what they say, listen to what they say: voices of twentieth century beechworth, world war two, wartime, wartime solidarity, burke museum

In this letter Allan refers to Mr Jim Hayes' forth-coming visit to MelbourneQuinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0868.a) headed Oslo and dated 28/04/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Victoria, this has been crossed out and replaced by 'Fitzroy' Street, St Kilda, Victoria. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- G.P.O.,Oslo, Norway. Written at right angles to the return address Allan has written "Made a mess of the address but my thoughts were wondering".letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

Letter from Allan Quinn to his mother depicting his time spent on board American ships.This letter is of historical, social and interpretive significance as it provides information about the life of a seaman during the mid 20th century. Two page, double sided letter (0334.A1-A2) written in black ink. Dated 01/11/46 while at sea and envelope (0334.B).Envelope: "Mrs S Quinn/San Lorenzo/63 Ocean Beach/Manly N.S.W/Australia" Top right hand corner of letter: "M. J. Ariston/At Sea/1-11-46" Letter: "My Dear mum, Have now made one round trip..."allan quinn, 1926, america, mission to seafarers

Letter from Allan Quinn to his mother written in 1946. Allan expresses his worry regarding his mothers health and depicts his time spent in Melbourne.These letters are of historical, social and interpretive significance as they provide information about the life of a seaman during the mid 20th centuryTwo page, double sided letter (0325.A1-A2) written on beige blank paper in blue ink. Dated 09/01/46 from Melbourne and envelope (0325.B).Envelope: "Mrs S. Quinn/San Lorenzo/63 Ocean Beach/Manly N.S.W" Two stamps and sky mail symbol in the top right hand corner Letter: "M. I. Goonawarra/9-1-46/Melb in top right corner Sky Mail symbol in top left corner.allan quinn, mission to seafarers, 1946, letter, melbourne

Allan writes of attending a garden party at the British Ambassador's residence in Oslo. All staff working with him at the Allied High Commission Office were invited.Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0875.a) headed Oslo and dated 16/06/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- General Delivery, G.P.O. Oslo. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, allied high commission office, oslo, mr wright, british ambassador

In this letter to his mother Allan writes that this year Norway has had "...one of the heaviest falls of snow ever and just two miles from the post office there is nine feet of it." He has a job in a factory "...operating an electric drill boring holes in brass taps." He plans to return to London in September to attend the photography school.Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0859.a) headed Oslo and dated 14/02/51. Letter is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, G.P.O. Osloletters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo

Allan is working with a photography firm.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0902.a1) headed 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8 and dated 12/08/52. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked Paddington W 2. Return address is Allan Quinn, 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, vera south

Allan is still enjoying living and working in Oslo. He saw the film 'Annie Get Your Gun'.Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0864.a) headed Oslo and dated 12/04/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- General Delivery, G.P,O. Oslo. Postmark is Oslo. Stamped in black above the address is 'GAVER TIL, RADIUMHOSPITALET, ERSKATTEFRIE'letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

Letter written from Allan Quinn to his mother in 1945 which depicts his time spent in Los Angeles before travelling back to San Francisco This letter is of historical, social and interpretive significance as it provides information about the life of a seaman during the mid 20th century.Two page, double sided letter (0306.A1-A2) written on blank beige paper with blue ink and envelope (0306.B)Top right corner: "M.I. Goonawarra/Oakland California US 15-11-45" Envelope: "Mrs S Quinn/San Lorenzo/63 Ocean beach/Manly N.S.W Australia" There are also three postage stamps running along the top of the envelope along the top, an ink stamp and the airmail logo.mission to seafareres, letter, san francisco, los angeles, allan charles quinn

Allan writes that he and Alette are unofficially engaged. He is returning to London in two weeks time. He asks his mother to send a food parcel to London and to include butter, eggs and tinned meat. He also asks her to send a parcel of currants and sultanas to the woman Alette lives with as she has been very kind..Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in black ink (0882.a) headed Oslo and dated 27/08/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, The Strand, London Oslo. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

Allan is very upset as Alette wants to postpone their wedding again. She has taken a job in a shop in Oslo and shows no signs of returning to London despite their plans to marry in February and travel to Australia in July. Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0910.a1) headed London and dated 8/02/52. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London W.1. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Aust. House, London. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952

Allan writes of seeing the film 'The Cruel Sea' and attending the Anzac Service at St Paul's Cathedral. He is enjoying his new job "....working for a technical and industrial photographer." He plans to sail home to Australia on the 'Orontes' on the 17th July.Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0914.a1) headed London and dated 30/04/53. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The postmark is very faint. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Aust. House, London.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, london 1953, vera south

Allan writes of his week's holiday in a log cabin on top of a mountain 120 miles east of Oslo and describes countryside and the beautiful view of the valley below.Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter part typed, part written in green ink (0881.a) headed Oslo and dated 30/07/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- General Delivery, G.P.O. Oslo. There are some penciled numbers on the right of and below the return address.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, alette andersen

Allan writes of a lonely Christmas without Alette who is spending it in Norway with her family. They are planning to get married in the last week of February.Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0909.a1) headed London and dated 30/12/52. Letter is written in green ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Postmark is illegible. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, Strand, London. There are four lines of writing at right angles to the return address. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952

Allan writes of how wonderful it was to be in London for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and describes the procession from his vantage point in Hyde Park. He is planning to spend a few weeks on the Continent before returning to Australia in July.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0916.a1) headed London and dated 4/06/53. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked Kensington W.8. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, London.There are several numbers written in pencil below the return address.allan quinn, hyde park, coronation of queen elizabeth, queen of tonga, robert menzies, winston churchill, conquest of mt everest, london, 1953

Allan describes how beautiful Oslo and the surrounding countryside is now it is summer. It doesn't get dark at all "....and you can read a newspaper out in the street at midnight." He mentions that he has received a letter from Norm Fielder.Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0873.a) headed Oslo and dated 03/06/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- General Delivery, G.P.O.,Oslo, Norway. There are some letters penciled below the return address.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, norm fielder, alette andersen

Letter contains news of Allan's cousin Pat and aunt Vera. He describes a debate at the House of Commons that he attended. He writes "...Churchill came in near the end to vote. He is looking very old." He and Alette saw the musical 'Call me Madam' with Anton Walbrook in the lead..Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0899.a1) dated 29/05/52. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked Kensington and is barely legible. The return address is Allan Quinn, 8 Gloucester Walk, London W8.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, winston churchill, anton walbrook, musical 'call me madam', pat hannon, barry hannon, vera south, guilford

Allan describes his trip to Cowes on the Isle of Wight where he met, and spent time with, the photographer Keith Behan "...who is considered the best yachting photographer in the world......." He also visited Southhampton, Portsmouth. Brighton and East Grinstead before returning to London. He enjoyed being away from London for a few days.Quinn CollectionA blue self-folding letter (0913.a1) headed London and dated 11/04/53. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked Paddington W.2. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, London.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, london 1953, cowes, isle of wight, keith behan, photographer, southhampton, portsmouth, brighton u.k., east grinstead, vera south

Allan writes "...Have landed a terrific job with the Allied High Commission Office for Germany ......in the permit section." He works a 36-hour week, 9 am to 4 pm and prefers this to working in the factory. He is planning to attend a concert by the Australian pianist Eileen Joyce. Quinn CollectionA self-folding letter written in green ink (0863.a) headed Oslo and dated 29/03/51. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- G.P.O., Oslo, Norway. There are some numbers penciled below the return address and some penciled to the right of the return address.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, norway, oslo, allied high commission office, oslo, alette andersen, eileen joyce

Allan describes the funeral of King George VI which he witnessed from a good vantage point. Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0895.a1) headed 8 Glouster [sic] Walk, London W 8 and dated 29/02/52. Letter is typed using a very small font. The print is uneven and difficult to read. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. The postmark is not legible. The return address is Allan Quinn, 8 Glousester [sic] Walk, London W8.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, funeral of king george vi

Allan has finished his photography course and passed the exams.. Eleven of his photos were exhibited in the end of year exhibition and one of them, a portrait of an Indian girl, received a gold star award. Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0901.a1) headed 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8 and dated 16/07/52. Letter is written in green ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked Paddington W 2. Return address is Allan Quinn, 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, vera south, musical 'south pacific', mary martin, pat and barry hannon, covent garden, margot fonteyn, frank sedgman

Allan writes of London being decorated "...like a fairyland..." for a coronation. He plans to photograph it from a stand in the East Carriage Drive of Hyde Park. He will be in the stand from 6 am until 5.30 pm.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0915.a1) headed London and dated 24/06/53 [sic]. Letter is written in blue ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked Kensington W.8. The date on the postmark is 26/05/53. The return address is Allan Quinn, C/- Australia House, Strand, London.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, london 1953, hyde park, coronation of queen elizabeth

Allan mentions he has met dozens of Australians on the beach in San Francisco.Quinn CollectionPale blue self-folding letter written with dark blue ink (0829.a) headed San Francisco and dated 09/11/49.The letter is from Allan to his mother.letters-from-abroad, quinn, 1949, san francisco

Allan writes of the severe fog which meant there were no buses of planes for three days. "I only heard or saw two cars over the weekend and each one had a man in front with a torch." When he and Alette attended the Royal Concert they found themselves sitting near Charlie Chaplin, Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivian Leigh. The Queen was there and Sir Malcolm Sargent conducted the orchestra and a choir of 500. Alette is going home to Norway for Christmas. Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0906.a1) headed 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8 and dated 10/12/52. Letter is written in green ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked London. The return address is Allan Quinn, Australia House. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, royal concert, queen elizabeth ii, sir malcolm sargent, sir laurence olivier, vivian leigh, charles chaplin

Allan writes of the sinking of the SS Flying Enterprise. Having been damaged in a storm it was towed about 300 miles with only the captain Kurt Carlsen and the Mate from the salvage tug on board. The ship sank when hit by a second storm 40 miles off Falmouth.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0893.a1) headed 37 Elsham Road, London W 14 and dated 25/01/52. Letter is typed using a very small font. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia and postmarked London W1. The return address is Allan Quinn, 37 Elsham Road, London W14. letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london-uk, ss flying enterprise, captain (henrik) kurt carlsen

Allan and Alette are going to Oslo for Christmas and may marry there. Allan has attended a number of Promenade Concerts at Albert Hall and enjoyed seeing harmonica player Larry Adler, composers Vaughan Williams and John Ireland and conductor Sir Malcolm Sargent. He has been promoted at work and is now in charge of the Processing Department.Quinn CollectionA pale blue self-folding letter (0903.a1) headed 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8 and dated 18/09/52. Letter is written in green ink. It is addressed to Mrs K Hayes, 14 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. It is postmarked Paddington W 2. Return address is Allan Quinn, 8 Gloucester Walk, London W 8. Enclosed is a small off-white piece of paper (0903.b) with writing, in green ink, on both sides.letters-from-abroad, allan quinn, alette andersen, london 1952, vera south, sir malcolm sargent, vaughan williams, john ireland, larry adler, albert hall