Harmel Kaur’s life in pictures: From farm work and catching fish and crocodiles to her years working in a hospital (background) She is pictured with her daughter, Diana (foreground). Credit: Harmel Kaur/ SBS Punjabi
In 1954, Harmail Kaur (Merle Singh) arrived from India in Australia after a month-long sea voyage, her young son in her arms and no English skills. As one of the very few Punjabi women in Far North Queensland at the time, she says local Australian families treated her “like their own”. With no formal lessons, Kaur learnt English simply by listening, watching and observing, eventually developing a distinctly Australian accent. From making her own clothes on a pedal sewing machine and working in a hospital from her 40s into her 80s, to fishing and catching crocodiles, Kaur built an unconventional life defined by hard work. Hear her remarkable story in the podcast.
In 1954, Harmail Kaur (Merle Singh) arrived from India in Australia after a month-long sea voyage, her young son in her arms and no English skills. As one of the very few Punjabi women in Far North Queensland at the time, she says local Australian families treated her “like their own”. With no formal lessons, Kaur learnt English simply by listening, watching and observing, eventually developing a distinctly Australian accent. From making her own clothes on a pedal sewing machine and working in a hospital from her 40s into her 80s, to fishing and catching crocodiles, Kaur built an unconventional life defined by hard work. Hear her remarkable story in the podcast.
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