Veronika Wild

 -Image by Bru-nO at Pixaba It was the very success of earlier migrations that encouraged optimism with respect to subsequent migration programs. Though most refugee camps were now empty, those who had arrived earlier often encouraged others to come or sponsored relatives under the family reunion scheme.  As economic conditions improved in Europe by the 1970s, there were fewer migrants from that source and some even began returning home. However, social and economic upheavals in other parts of the world continued to bring migrants to Australia’s shores. A rough timeline follows which also reflects changes in Australia’s immigration policy. Apologies to all those I have had to leave out. Note how the various Independence movements sparked waves of immigration. 1945 THE DUTCH Among the first to arrive in the Post War Period were the Dutch. A few Dutch settlers had arrived after the war under a scheme whereby Allied servicemen could apply for Assisted passage to Australia, bu...

Buzz in Franklin Square - Sir John Franklin of North West Passage fame and former Governor of Tasmania, presides over fountain, square and food stalls in the CBD on Friday nights (Summer only). On at least two occasions this week I had to marvel at what the influx of people from other countries has done for our palates and this city. In the first instance, it was the collection of food wagons in Franklin Square in the heart of the city last Friday night. I wouldn’t have known about this were it not for the fact that oldest son – the one who usually takes me on gastronomic tours of Canberra, had been in town briefly and wanted to take us out for dinner. The whole idea of allowing street stalls would probably have sent our city fathers into a conniption a few years ago – just think of all that red tape, but here they were, adding   life and colour to the city after dark. Hobartians turned out in droves to enjoy the great variety of food and drink - all reasonably priced –...

Migrant construction workers in the 50s - Dad was working as a tradie for two years as part of his contract to come to Australia. He's second from right, smoking a pipe I have just been reading the e-book recently launched by the Heritage Council of Port Phillip , about those who arrived in ships at Melbourne’s Station Pier in the post war immigration era.   It’s been a fascinating read not the least because it is a part of my own story.* While the stories are a mixed bag – some celebratory and some sad, the enduring thread is the bravery of those who dared to make that journey, that leap of faith, to leave their families and homelands and seek a new life in a country far away, one which was often   stranger than they could ever have   imagined. Many now question how it was that such large numbers of people could have been peacefully integrated over the ensuing decades, when we have such difficulty now. Listening to the vehement arguments about immigration...