Celebrating assisted passage in Sydney

Today while docked in Sydney, Australia ORIANA received on board 175 'VIPs' to help celebrate the 175th year of P&O.
While there names are not world famous they stand as important reminder as "Ten Pound Poms" to a period of the company's history.

The assisted passage scheme was set up after the Second World War by the Australian Government to allow skilled workers and their families to emigrate to the country by paying £10 of their own money while the remainder was paid by the Government.The phrase Ten Pound Pom comes from the price paid for the passage and a Australian term for a British Citizen who were the majority of those travelling.

Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry,Australian Citizen and god mother to AZURA Darcy Bussell pose with Carol Marlow and Captain Robert Camby.

To this end before technology allowed for the long haul airliner liners of companies such as P&O and the Orient line offered tourist class accommodation.
It was during the end of this period when P&O and subsidiary Orient line built the largest and fastest liners outside the Atlantic route ORIANA's namesake and her 'mother', ORIANA & CANBERRA.

CANBERRA in Sydney during the 1960's

While on board the "Poms" recreated a time honoured tradition which they would have witnessed and most likely took part in when departing Southampton so long ago the streamer sail away.

Streamers on the terraced decks.

Photos Copyrights: P&O Cruises.