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On This Day in Australian History

‘On This Day in Australian History covers major Australian events and happenings occurring on a daily basis. Not only is the series of events noted, but the stories behind the events are also included.’ Not quite complete yet, and you need to subscribe to gain details about each event.
This Day in History
When searching for a specific topic, make sure you look at all sections as there may be information overlap, e.g. Chinese Immigration → Asian Immigration, Special Groups, White Australia and Data & Databases may hold relevant information sources.

A - F

  1. 19th Century Immigration
    Includes information about free settlers in colonial times, various assisted settlement schemes, journeys to Australia and particular groups among the settlers.
    • Australia’s Early Immigration Schemes
      A very brief summary of several early immigration practices and a longer look at The Bounty Scheme.
    • Exiles and Emigrants
      [Epic Journeys to Australia in the Victorian Era]
      ‘This powerful exhibition traces the various reasons that drove people from their homeland; the devastating potato famine in Ireland; the highland clearances in Scotland; and the agrarian revolution in England. It also explores the stories of the emigrants : their long, difficult voyage to a faraway land and their struggles to settle in the harsh, often unforgiving Australian climate.’ Covers the exhibition, letters and online resources. There is also a valuable Education Resource, while the National Museum can also provide an educational resource.
      Highly Recommended !
    • Immigration Report of 1837 for Australia
      ‘The following information was extracted from the British Parliamentary Papers.’ Part of a larger Canadian site.
    • Immigration - The Bounty System
      Provides background to, and explanation of, the first of the ‘assisted migrant’ schemes to attract migrants. A sample of one scheme from 1856 is provided.
    • Immigration and Ethnicity : Overview
      Covers the Gold Rush period in Victoria. click on ‘Read More’ to access the full article. Bibliography also included.
    • Sources in the National Archives …
      [For Researching the Great Famine]
      From the National Archives of Ireland. Find what effects this had on both convict and free migration to both Australia and other countries.
    • Women In Colonial Times
      Looks at women in colonial Australia, including convicts, wives of people deployed here and immigrants.
  2. Asian Immigration
    Includes information about immigration from all areas of Asia [also check the Special Groups section below], plus other views relating to Asian Immigration.
    • Asian Settlement and the Media in Australia
      ‘An address written for the public conference on “The Influence of the mainstream media on the settlement of migrants and refugees”, part of the Multicultural Celebration 1997, hosted by the Vietnamese Community in Australia/NSW Chapter, on Friday 28 November 1997.’
    • Gold & Silver
      [Vietnamese migration and relationships with environments in Vietnam and Sydney]
      Introduction, homeland, journey, new home, revisiting and more.
    • Migration to Australia
      [With Particular Reference to Asian Migration]
      An eprint from the University of Queensland in .pdf format. Looks especially at economic implications.
    • Moves Towards Asianisation
      While it is part of documentation that is opposed to Asianisation, it is worth reading for the range of included quotes from conservative politicians up to 1997 which indicate both realisation and support.
    • The Yellow Peril
      The third section of a presentation called ‘The Asianisation of Australia’. It traces the history and perception of Asian immigration. It has a particularly ‘nationalist’ outlook.
    • Chinese Migration
      See the links in the ‘Specific Groups’ listing in the final section on this page.
    • Vietnamese Australian
      History, Vietnamese Australians in Australian society, demographics, controversy, notable people, references and several further links. From wikipedia.
  3. Data & Databases for Immigration
    Includes access to databases, statistics and various legislation [though the last is also included in several other sections].
    • Immigration into Australia
      [Online Indexes and Passenger Lists]
      An extensive range of annotated links, listed under states but covering primarily the nineteenth century.
    • Immigration - Sailing Ships
      Information relating to sources of information regarding shipping involved in immigration, particularly for the second half of the nineteenth century. From the Australian National Maritime Museum. The Immigration - Steamships & Passenger Liners listing, from the same source has similar content.
    • Migration Act 1958 [Cth]
      Read the act, download it [.rtf or plain text], see notes, tables and a wealth of other information. This replaced a significant range of other acts including the Immigration Restriction Act 1901 [see below in White Australia Policy group].
    • Statistics
      A significant range of statistical data relating to immigration collated by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
    • Year Book Australia, 2008
      This section of the Year Book covers International Migration to Australia and provides extensive data and explanations based on this in respect of a range of immigration factors. Previous Year Book entries are also available.

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G - L

  1. General Links & Portals
    Includes a range of material which either covers multiple sections or does not necessarily fit in any of the other sections listed on this page.
    • An Immigrant Nation : Briefing Paper
      A brief, summarised outline of the major points, presented in .rtf format.
    • Australian Immigration History
      This is a Fee-based site but there is a Free Trial. 15 examples of books and articles are provided. If nothing else, these will provide some direction to information. From Questia.
    • Australia’s Cultural Diversity
      [From Racism No Way]
      Looks at the diversity of birthplace, language, religion and spiritual beliefs.
    • Category : Immigration to Australia
      A listing of links to aspects of immigration to Australia that can be found as part of the wikipedia presentations.
    • Face the Facts
      A publication from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. This site has two sets of questions & answers relating to Migrants & Multiculturalism and Refugees &Asylum Seekers. There is a glossary and teacher notes and you can get the issue as a .pdf download.
    • Fact Sheets on Migration, Citizenship and Travel
      Lists the range of fact sheets available from the National Archives of Australia. Includes those for particular nationalities, schemes, passenger records and more.
    • Immigration - Federation to Century’s End
      ‘This publication is an overview of the migration and population history of Australia in the 20th century, bringing together data from a variety of sources.’ Downloadable in part or whole in .pdf format. From the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
    • Immigration into Australia
      A collection of annotated links to different aspects of immigration collated by Casahistoria.
    • Immigration to Australia
      Provides background, countries of birth, various impacts, immigration and Australian politics, the role of migration agents, various migration services, references and further links. From wikipedia.
    • Life in Australia : Australian Values
      [Fact Sheet 7]
      Information from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Provides background information, a new visa criterion the Life in Australia booklet [which can be downloaded in whole or part in .pdf format here] and further information.
    • Mass Immigration
      [Undermining Australia’s Way of Life]
      An online book arguing one view that mass migration is not a good thing for Australia.
    • Migratory History of Australia
      Covers migration from the indigenous population, that of the 18th and 19th centuries, the 20th century including White Australia, postwar immigration, sources, opposition, asylum controversies and recent developments. links, further reading and references. From wikipedia.
    • Neville Roach Address
      An address relating to migration presented at the Monash University Leading Ideas Forum, March 2002.
    • Picture Australia
      Enter the term ‘Immigration’ to access more than 11 000 images related to the topic.
    • The Australian People
      From Radio National. Looks at immigration and the composition of Australia’s people. Read the transcript or listen to the presentation in Windows Media Player.

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M - R

  1. Migration Museums & Centres
    Includes various museums and Heritage Centres as well as specific exhibitions relating to immigration to Australia.
    • Immigration and Settlement of South Australia
      From the South Australian Migrant Museum.
    • Immigration Museum, Victoria
      ‘Located in the Old Customs House in the heart of the city, the museum recreates the real-life stories of coming to Australia with a rich mix of moving images, personal and community voices, memories and memorabilia.’
    • Migration Heritage Centre
      [New South Wales]
      ‘Migrants have journeyed to Australia and settled in the State of New South Wales both willingly and unwillingly, legally and illegally, as convicts, prisoners of war, as free or assisted immigrants or as refugees. Migrants have also been refused entry or deported. The Migration Heritage Centre identifies, records, preserves and interprets the heritage of migration and settlement in New South Wales from 1788 to the present day.’
    • Origins
      [Immigrant Communities in Victoria]
      ‘Origins is based on government census information gathered in Victoria since 1854. It contains information about Victorian communities from 70 countries of origin. The history of each community was compiled from a range of sources. Origins was researched, designed and built by Museum Victoria.’
  2. Post-War Immigration
    Covers the period from 1945 on, with an emphasis on the period of the 30-40 years and looks at both migration. and its effects on Australia. Other impacts will be listed on the Australian Culture page.
    • Belongings
      [Post WWII Migration Memories & Journeys]
      ‘Today, four out of every ten people in New South Wales are either migrants, or the children of migrants. Belongings tells the stories of some of these people through personal mementos, photographs and memories.’
    • Half a World Away
      [PostWar Migration To The Orange District 1948-1965]
      An online exhibition and related book.
    • Immigration : the Background Part One
      [Fact Sheet 1]
      Information from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. It covers a range of present day migration program information. It also contains a range of links to fact sheets related to specific aspects of this report.
    • International Migration Transforms Australia
      An article written in 2001. Includes some tabular information.
    • Journeys to Australia
      Looks at immigration journeys to Australia in the 1940s to 1960s. From Museum Victoria.
    • More than 60 Years of Post-War Migration
      [Fact Sheet 4]
      Information from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. It covers early migration waves, post-war developments, today’s migration, the impact of migration and a statistical summary.
    • ‘Populate or Perish’
      A common theme at several periods in our history but especially after World War 2.
      • Contemporary Australia - Populating Australia
        Part of a course through Open Learning Australia. It ‘examines the unique composition of the Australian people : migration, multiculturalism and harmonious diversity. The Pauline Hanson phenomenon, refugees, Indigenous issues and growing Asian migration. The issue of population growth : ‘Populate or perish’ !’ In .pdf format. An extended listing of links is provided.
      • “Populate or Perish” [1]
        An article from Time magazine in August 1952.
      • “Populate or Perish” [2]
        While targetting life in Perth, this article from the John Curtin Institute, provides a clear example of what was meant. There are also quotes concerning the concept.
      • Populate or Perish ! [3]
        Information and images on this topic. You need to register [Free] to access all the material.
    • “Ten Pound Poms”
      A slang description for those assisted migrants who came from the United Kingdom.
      • Ten Pound Poms [1]
        ‘A colloquial term used in Australia to describe British subjects who migrated to Australia after the Second World War under an assisted passage scheme established and operated by the Australian Government. The program attracted over one million British migrants between 1945 and 1972 and represented the last substantial scheme for preferential migration from Britain to Australia.’ From wikipedia.
      • Ten Pound Poms [2]
        ‘Ten Pound Poms is a classic one-hour social history documentary tracing the story of the Ten Pound Poms and their families from the post-war era through to the 1960s.’ From the Australian ABC.
    • The Changing Face of Australia …
      [Post-War Immigration and Identity]
      An historical topic from The National Centre for History Education. It provides items to examine, focus questions, key terms, knowledge, skills, concepts, attitudes and values and resources for both students and teachers.
  3. Present Day Immigration
    Looks at the last 30 years, sometimes in general terms, at others, looking at specific immigration processes and decisions. You should also check the Refugees section which follows.
  4. Refugees & Immigration
    Refugee immigration has been occurring for some considerable time but especially since the end of World War 2. Australia is committed to a range of international obligations in this area.

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S - Z

  1. Specific Migrant Groups
    Covers a range of specific ethnic and other groups, as well as examples of individual experiences.
    • Australia in My Difference
      [Women and Migration in Australia since 1945]
      Introduction, a selection of stories about people coming from different cultures and background and support mechanisms available.
    • Child Migration -
      Primarily from the United Kingdom, and exhibiting a range of problems that often surfaced in later years. Varied groups were involved in this process :
      • Child Migration to Australia
        [Fact Sheet 124]
        From the National Archives of Australia. Provides an overview and links to both personal documents and other records including those of specific groups involved in such migration.
      • Good British Stock
        [Child Migration : An Overview and Timeline]
        Extensive article with a timeline through to 1998 and the visit of a British Parliamentary Committee to Australia.
    • Chinese Immigration
      Immigrants since the early part of the 19th Century and the recipients of harsh treatment on numerous occasions throughout that period.
      • Chinese Australian Historical Society
        Covers the history of the Chinese in Australia including immigration, attitudes, etc..
      • Chinese Heritage
        A collection of stories about Chinese in Australia, including those from businesspeople to workers, sportspeople, women and children. Annotated links take you to the relevant presentations. This is part of the larger Chinese Australia site based at Latrobe University.
      • Chinese People and Political Change in Australia
        A short article by a Chinese Australian who arrived in 1946.
      • Golden Threads
        [The Chinese in Regional NSW 1850-1950]
        An exhibition from the Australian Museum Online [now archived]. It has stories, information on people and other resources.
      • Harvest of Endurance Scroll
        ‘Harvest of Endurance is a 50-metre-long scroll that represents two centuries of Chinese contact with, and emigration to, Australia. The scroll depicts stories of hardship and survival, resourcefulness and reward. Learn more about the people and places featured in the scroll, about its creation and how the traditional colours and lines can be read.’ A Flash interactive presentation is available from the site.
      • The Chinese in Australia
        ‘This brief history of the Chinese in Australia is designed to provide an introduction and context to the materials and information on the Chinese Heritage of Australian Federation website.’ Access a database, documents, stories and more.
      • Voices and Memory
        [Post-war Chinese Australians Oral History Project]
        Information, examples and then linked access to searches for further information and specific examples.
    • Individual Stories
      Every immigrant is an individual, as are their experiences. These provide some examples of this.
      • An Australian Greek Wife
        From Film Australia. Provides a video clip, curriculum focus, background information, activities and information on further resources.
      • Cuc Lam’s Suitcase
        From Film Australia. Provides a video clip, curriculum focus, background information, activities and information on further resources.
      • Long Journey
        From the Australian ABC comes this interactive site which looks at the long journey of [particularly] young refugees to safety. It provides specific media presentations on individuals.
      • Quong Tart
        Extensive information about one person from China in the latter part of the 19th century. ‘Quong Tart was ‘as well known as the Governor himself’ and ‘quite as popular among all classes’ in NSW [Daily Telegraph, 10 October 1897].’
    • New Italy
      ‘This site explores the intriguing story of the New Italy settlement in Northern NSW Australia. [It] aims to highlight the valuable contributions of the Italian settlers to the region, offering the opportunity for interested users, descendants and researchers to upload their own stories, making New Italy truly a ‘Living Heritage’.’
    • Packing to Leave …
      [Saris, Suits and Spices - Migration Stories from South Asia to Sydney]
      Introduction and story collection.
  2. Student Learning Activities
    A range of resources and activities, especially for secondary students.
    • A History of Immigration and Policy
      [A Webquest for Stage 5 History Students]
      Introduction, tasks, process, resources, assessment, From the ABC.
    • Horizons …
      [What impacts has immigration had on Australia ?]
      ‘Investigates stories of immigration and the impact migrants have had on Australian society over time. The themes and topics explored include a White Australia national identity and citizenship, ‘populate or perish’ philosophy, the economy and the environment.’ From the National Museum of Australia. Downloadable .pdf documents.
    • Post War Immigration
      A lesson for secondary students. Lists outcomes, materials to download, suggested activities, extension activities and related resources.
    • Sunny Australia ?
      A .pdf downloadable unit for secondary students to look at immigration. Contains activities, links to resources, quotes, poses questions and much more.
    • White Australia - Then and Now
      A unit for Stage 5 secondary students, with outcomes materials, suggested activities, worksheets, related resources and more.
  3. The “White Australia” Policy
    The White Australia Policy was seen as the result of laws and methodology used to limit migration into Australia of people who were seen as not being desirable, often on racial grounds. Within the process, a range of methods were used. It was gradually dismantled following World War 2 and effectively removed by 1973.
    • Abolition of the ‘White Australia’ Policy
      [Fact Sheet 8]
      Information from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Provides the history, impact of World War 2, the next major step, a watershed, continuing the trend and the present situation.
    • A History of South Sea Islanders in Australia
      Information presented in chronological format beginning in the 1860s and running through to 2001. From HREOC.
    • Digital Resources
      [Tagged with ‘White Australia Policy’]
      From Film Australia. Tagged with state or national curriculum level and topic.
    • Immigration and the “White Australia” Policy
      A booklet written by R Dixon and published in 1945.
    • Immigration Restriction Act 1901
      History of the act, provisions, including offences and The Dictation Test, changes to the act, notes and references, From wikipedia.
    • Immigration Restriction Act 1901 [Cth]
      Discover its significance, history and a full description. Read the document from a transcript [.pdf or .rtf] or view online. The Basis of the ‘White Australia’ Policy.
    • Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901 [Cth]
      ‘An Act of the Parliament of Australia which was designed to facilitate the mass deportation of nearly all the Pacific Islanders working in Australia. Along with the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, enacted six days later, it formed an important part of the White Australia policy.’ From wikipedia.
    • People - Not Welcome
      [The Dictation Test]
      An example of a process under the ‘White Australia’ process. Listen to a test and see if you could have passed. As quoted - “the test, when applied to an immigrant, is intended to serve as an absolute bar to such person’s entry into Australia.” Real Player audio. There are other linked pages.
    • Racial Discrimination Act 1975
      An act which made racial discrimination illegal in Australia. This was effectively the finalisation of the White Australia Policy, coming after earlier amendments to legislation during 1973. Copies of the act in different formats can be found here.
    • Reconsidering White Australia
      [Class and racism in the 1873 Clunes Riot]
      An article from ANY that looks at some of the background beliefs and reasons for the establishment of the White Australia Policy.
    • Rise And Fall Of White Australia
      From the ABC’s The Australian Story. Introduction, video highlight and transcript including quotes and commentary from pre-federation through to the present.
    • The Kanakas and The Cane Fields
      Article in text and images, covering the ‘blackbirding’ process and the use of kanakas in Australia in the latter part of the 19th century.
    • The New “White Australia’ Policy
      A 1999 article from the World Socialist Web Site which claims this.
    • White Australia
      [Forming a racially pure democracy …]
      Part of the Marking Multicultural Australia site. Archival footage, Parliamentary Debates, legislation, audio interviews, commentary, even some cartoons.
    • White Australia Policy
      Covers immigration policy before Federation, policy from Federation to World War 2, the abolition of the policy, the legacy, references, further reading and links to further information. From wikipedia.

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