Historic Migrant & Military Training Camps

Cowra’s history extends far beyond the legacy of the Cowra Breakout and is marked by the important stories of migrants and military personnel from World War II.

Between 1940 and 1945 some 80,000 Australian troops received basic training at the Cowra facility. After the war, the camp became home to between 17,000 to 19,000 immigrants who left war-ravaged Europe to make Australia their home.

Whilst the campsite itself is now private land, a memorial has been erected in honour of the migrant families of Cowra in Europa Park, east of Cowra on the Sydney Road. There is also a memorial on Military Parade to mark the location of the Military Camp.

A collection of family stories from former residents of the Cowra Migrant Camp is recorded in ‘Australia, A New Country – A New Life’. Compiled by the Cowra & District Historical Society, the book is available at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre.

Between 1940 and 1945 some 80,000 Australian troops received basic training at the Cowra facility. After the war, the camp became home to between 17,000 to 19,000 immigrants who left war-ravaged Europe to make Australia their home. Up to 4,000 immigrants could be housed at the camp at one time with as many as 27 nations represented among those who lived there. An estimated total of between 17,000 and 19,000 people passed through the gates of the camp throughout its time of operation.

The camp itself was run like a small town, boasting its own post office, school, canteen and chapel. Many of the men were sent away to work in neighbouring towns for projects such as the railway construction in Orange, constructing dams and working at the Edgell Cannery. Pictured are the staff of the Cowra Military Camp Hospital.

Now, Europa Park stands as a lasting memorial dedicated to the thousands of migrants who lived in and passed through the Cowra Migrant Centre. The park is a permanent reminder and place of recognition for the families and descendants of those migrants. A memorial wall has been built and its surrounds contain personalised pavers for the families wishing to be recognised in the memorial.

If you have a connection with the Cowra Migrant Camp, you are invited to buy a paver and have your name or family name recorded on it. Memorial paver order forms are available at the Cowra Visitor Information Centre and by contacting the Rotary Club Of Cowra.