Where it all started: Former Benalla Migrant Camp resident Janina Bondarenko at Hut 11 with her husband, Otto Reiche, her daughters Brigitte and Teena, her son Anthony, in-laws Shane, Charlie and Sheryn and grandchildren Anthony, Robert, Monique and Presley.
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In 1949 Janina Bondarenko, like thousands of others, arrived at the Benalla Migrant Camp, with her widowed mother, Maria, and brother Edward, to begin a new life.
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Displaced from Ukraine after World War II, and not wanting to live under a communist regime, the family had their first taste of true freedom in years.
For Janina, who arrived in November and was only 11 at the time, the warm spring and hot Benalla summer would have been a world away from northern Europe.
She would stay at the Benalla Migrant Camp until the early 1950s before relocating to raise a family with her husband, Otto.
On Sunday, September 4, almost 73 years after she first arrived in the Rose City, she returned with her family to visit the place she once called home.
The visit was to coincide with an open day run by Sabine Smyth, who operates the popular Migrant Camp exhibition.
That itself is something of a step back in time, decorated to look as it once did, and for Janina it must have been almost like walking back into the exact hut she left all those years ago.
Historic: Janina Bondarenko’s Bonegilla Card showing her transfer to Benalla in 1949.
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“Last Sunday our Benalla Migrant Camp Exhibition had an amazing open day as three generations of the Bondarenko family came to visit us at Hut 11,” Ms Smyth said.
“For 84-year-old Janina it was her first visit to the Benalla Migrant Camp since she left.
“It was an emotional moment when she stepped inside the hut, for her and also for her family — and us.
“From 1943 to 1949 Maria and the children had lived in various displaced persons camps that provided shelter and minimum food in exchange for adult workers.
“The everyday threat of air strikes and bombs made the family live in constant fear.
“After the war was over, Maria was still desperately trying to flee Europe so the family could never to be forced back to Russia. Australia accepted their immigration application although Maria was widowed with dependent children. ”
Janina’s daughter Brigitte said her mother, uncle and grandmother arrived in Australia after a long six weeks at sea aboard the ship Nelly.
“First they were registered at Bonegilla, then they arrived in the newly opened Benalla Migrant Camp in late 1949,” Brigitte said.
"Our visit brought a lot of nostalgia for Mum. I think she was hoping that more of the camp would have remained intact.”
Brigitte took a photo of her mother next to the hut where she started school (and learnt English).
Janina said she had fond memories of going to school at the Migrant Camp’s primary school.
Her mother, Maria, and older brother, Edward, worked at Latoof and Callil, repairing the sewing machines and equipment.
Ms Smyth said the family had a lovely day driving around Benalla, visiting all the historical places that were special to Janina.
“(That) included the site of the former Cozy Café, where Janina worked part-time, and St Joseph’s Primary School.”
Brigitte said the visit was a nostalgic adventure for the whole family, and a great chance to connect with the roots of their story in Australia.
The Benalla Migrant Camp Exhibition is opening again on Sunday, October 2 from 10am to 3pm. At 2pm, weather permitting, there will be a walking tour of the site following the newly installed signage.
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