World War II brought change to Canberra, as it did to the world. For those at Gorman it entailed curfews, blackouts and the arrival of international visitors and migrants fleeing the war in Europe.
The first European immigrants came to Gorman House as workers, serving in the kitchens and dining hall, or working as labourers on construction sites.
By 1949 Gorman House readmitted men to its facilities as the national push for men returning to work after service in the military required additional housing. In the post-war optimism, the social life of Gorman flourished, with annual dances arranged by social committees, table-tennis competitions as well as weekend trips to the cotter river and Mt Franklin for skiing in the wintertime.
Married couples also established their early years together as they awaited permanent housing of their own up until the hostel closure in 1972.
In the mid – late 1970’s Gorman House accommodated Government Offices and for a brief period became the Commonwealth Police Training Academy until its relocation in 1979.
Transcription of a letter from Gorman resident ‘Thelma’ in 1947. Generously supplied by her daughter Lyn.
A recollection from Gorman Resident June Weise, who lived at Gorman House in 1964.
Audio recollections from Gorman’s 1988 Resident’s Reunion, mastered by Kimmo Vernonnen.
