Photo from - here

Name

Overseas Visitors Club

Connection

Have you ever wondered why Earls Court attracted so many Australians? From the mid 1950’s the Overseas Visitors Club (OVC) offered Australians and those from the other dominions a place to stay and many other services for intrepid travellers.

Location

The OVC started its life at 1-3 Templeton Place before relocating to 1-9 Nevern Place (180 Earls Court Road) in 1958.

How to get there

Nearest tube – Earls Court - Circle, District and Piccadilly lines

Summary

The OVC offered a range of accommodation services, a restaurant, entertainment venues, assistance with finding work, a poste restante and travel information for the Continent and for those wishing to return home. Its bi-annual magazine ‘The Globetrotter’ was published between 1958 and 1968 and was targeted to visitors from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Front cover of the Globetrotter, 1958  - taken at the British Library

Context

Earls Court is often the first place in London people think of where Australians are concerned. This was certainly the case in the 1960’s but more recently Clapham Common has taken over this role. Travelling to London in the 50s and 60s would have been daunting for visitors from the colonies, hence the setting up of the OVC.

Story

Very little of the Australian presence can be found in Earls Court today, but its inclusion in Londown Under is warranted by its importance in times past. The premises of the former OVC can be seen at 1-9 Nevern Place.

Nevern Place (180 Earls Court Road)

Reading through back copies of the Globetrotter magazine gives an insight into what life was like for the Australian visitor during the 1960’s. The magazine contains articles on London, information on all aspects of travel to Europe. Advertisements for car and van hire, renting a TV and so on. OVC provided accommodation services, food, employment opportunities and a poste restante. There are many ads for travel to Australia, NZ, Canada and South Africa. Through the 1960’s there was an increasing appearance of ads for Australian beer. 

Globetrotter ad - British Library

And travel back to Australia

Globetrotter ad - British Library

There were articles on fashion and quizzes on London. You get the impression that a culture of Aussies in London was growing with an emphasis on re-creating what people did at home. You can see why it attracted young Australians and other Commonwealth visitors. You can also see why it might have put some people off! Barry Humphries lampooned Aussies in London through his Bazza McKenzie character.

Photo from - here

Further information

Blog set up by founding members of OVC – here

Earls Court – here