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Image Not Available for Passenger Alex Nypl, Vessel SS PROTEA, port of destination Melbourne, No. 710
Passenger Alex Nypl, Vessel SS PROTEA, port of destination Melbourne, No. 710
Image Not Available for Passenger Alex Nypl, Vessel SS PROTEA, port of destination Melbourne, No. 710

Passenger Alex Nypl, Vessel SS PROTEA, port of destination Melbourne, No. 710

Date1948
Object numberANMS0286[004]
NameBaggage label
MediumPaper, ink
DimensionsOverall: 85 × 163 mm, 0.004 g
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Alex Newman
DescriptionCzech migrant Alex Nypl travelled on the SS PROTEA from Genoa to Melbourne on a provisional passport provided by the Allied Military Government of Germany.
HistoryAlex Nypl, aged 27, fled Czechoslovakia after the Communist takeover in February 1948. The Allied Military Government for Germany issued him with provisional travel document in September 1948 and in October of that year he obtained a visa to travel to Australia. He had been interviewed at the displaced persons camp at Lugwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, in the American zone of occupation. He travelled from there by train to Genoa for departure on the SS PROTEA leaving on 16 November 1948 for Melbourne with other European refugees.
Significance'In two days, I will be celebrating anniversary of 40 wonderful years in this lovely country and I will always be grateful to the Commonwealth of Australia and its people, for giving me the opportunity to start new life here, after the horrific years of Nazi occupation in
1938-1945 and then again the Communist putch in February 1948 and persecution and jail one had to go through, which has hurt lot more as it has been inflicted by our own countrymen and in many cases by friends.

The start over here, not speaking the language, not having any trade or profession,without a penny to my name, has not been easy, but with hardwork and learning English quite quickly, I had a good life, have made a lot of Australian friends and consider Australia home'.

Alex Newman (Nypl), 20 December 1988, letter to the Australian National Maritime Museum.