Living History

Immigration to Australia: tell us your story

In the 1970s the Minister of Immigration, Al Grassby, coined the term multiculturalism, a term we now use to embrace Australia’s diverse and culturally rich heritage.

European migration to Australia began in earnest in the 1700s, while Asian immigrants began to arrive during the gold rushes of the following century. Initiatives such as ten pound boat tickets sought to encourage British citizens to emigrate during the middle of the century; since then there has been a steady stream of migration from English and non-English-speaking countries.

What did it mean to you to be an Australian migrant? We want to hear about any aspect of immigration to Australia: the journey to Australia, why your family chose to move, contrasting experiences in your country of origin, how you adapted to living in Australia, what it was like to meet migrants… anything! We also welcome stories of the descendants of migrants, and what their heritage means to them.

More Information

Want more information on this topic? Check out the following links!

The Department of Immigration

Picture Australia

The Immigration Museum

Contributions

Contribution Title		Date Posted
From the Old World to the New		27/08/2007
Where do I belong? (book extract)		18/07/2007
A journey from France		6/06/2007
A flight to Melbourne		29/05/2007
Aunt Susan's Petticoats		29/05/2007
Doug's story		29/05/2007
Noonoo and Noona		29/05/2007