In the aftermath of WW2, many European refugees were looking to settle overseas and many were sponsored to come to Australia to work with post-war national and industrial developments. After completing their two year stints working under the government’s direction, they were eager to rebuild their lives independently. They wanted work and a plot of land where they could build their home and raise their family in peace. Many came to St Albans because land was available and affordable.
In 1947 St Albans was a small farming settlement with a small village centre.
The 1950s saw a rapid population growth in St Albans as refugees and migrants moved in and started building their bungalows. The population that had been reasonably static at under 900 residents for a decade was suddenly over 5,000 and reached 7,000 by the end of the decade.
The following documents provide more information about the post-war boom in St Albans.
Images of Post WW2 St Albans
