Projects

 

'Half A World Away' Orange District

Current project
Following the Second World War, many migrants from Europe made their home in Orange, transforming the economy, culture and landscape of the city. Many worked in the Email whitegoods factory and some were housed in the infamous 'tent city' next door to the factory.

Community heritage study of migration heritage places, family collections and associated memories in the Orange district. View family items and histories on the 'Belongings' website. Read the illustrated community history book 'Half A World Away'. An online exhibition is being produced for History Week 2007.
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'Tracking The Dragon' – Chinese-Australian Heritage, Tweed River

Current project
The Tweed River Regional Museum and NSW Migration Heritage Centre's recent project, Moving to the Tweed and its publication The Other Side of the World focused on migration to the Tweed from the 1940s to the 1960s. Most Chinese migrants did not arrive in the Tweed within this period.
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10 Stories From Bankstown

Completed May 2002
Part of Bankstown's Community Harmony Project, 10 Stories from Bankstown brought people of different generations and cultures together to share their experiences of migration and living in Australia. Region: Southwestern Sydney Cultural Groups featured: Irish, Aboriginal, Lebanese, Creole, Moroccan, New Zealander, Chinese
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A Multicultural Landscape: National Parks & The Macedonian Experience

Completed December 2000
National Parks are valued by Australians in a variety of different ways. The many ways the natural environment is experienced, imagined and used reflects the enormous cultural diversity of contemporary Australia. The natural landscape is above all 'a social space', a space where different communities, stories, memories, traditions, uses and experiences come together.
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A Place For The Friendless Female: Sydney's Female Immigration Depot

Current Project
The Migration Heritage Centre is supporting the Hyde Park Barracks Museum's initiatives to raise the Barrack's profile as a significant heritage site associated with 19th century female immigration to Australia.

A new Historic Houses Trust of NSW exhibition at the Hyde Park Barracks Museum. View an online version on the Migration Heritage Centre's website and buy an interpretative brochure at the Barracks.
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Beirut To Baghdad: Communities, Collecting And Culture

Completed January 2005
Beirut to Baghdad is the Powerhouse's latest cooperative project with Arabic-speaking Australians, and part of the continuing Wattan project, initiated by the Powerhouse in 1998 to explore and document the diverse experiences of Australia's Arabic-speaking community.
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Belongings: Post-WW2 Migration Memories & Journeys

Current project
The post-World War Two migration wave is an important era in Australia’s history. In Belongings, former migrants share their experiences through personal mementos, photographs and memories.

Online exhibition recording and documenting the memories of former migrants across New South Wales and their family collections
» View exhibition
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Canterbury's People-Oral History Project

Completed November 2003
Canterbury City Council has been leading the way in promoting and valuing cultural diversity and harmonious community relations among the many language and culture groups in the City for over a decade. Region: Southwestern Sydney Cultural Groups featured: Korean, Greek, Lebanese, African, Czechoslovakian, Italian, Australian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Pacific Islander, Pakistani, Romanian, Singaporean, Bosnian
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Childhood Memories Of Migration: Images, Imaginings And Impressions

Completed June 2003

Through stories, keepsakes, photographs and an interactive DVD, this exhibition explores the personal experiences of children who lived in Villawood (Westbridge) and Cabramatta hostels from the 1950s to 1990s.
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Community Stories

Completed 2005
Community Stories supports the wishes of ageing Holocaust survivors who would like their life story to be written. For most of these Jewish migrants, English is not their first language.

Read the memoirs of ageing Holocaust survivors in 'Lives Lost, Life Regained'
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Crossroads: Shanghai And The Jews Of China

Completed March 2002
From the 1840s until well after the Second World War, Jewish people from many different places made a home in Shanghai. Through stories, newspapers and photographs, the exhibition traces the history of the different Jewish communities, and explores their ways of life in Shanghai.
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Cultural Diversity Forum

Completed September 2001
The Cultural Diversity Forum was organised by the History Council of NSW in association with the Migration Heritage Centre. The forum celebrated post-World War II migration history and the contribution migration has made to Australia.
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cultureworks Partnership Project With Wollondilly Heritage Centre

Completed July 2003
The Migration Heritage Centre in collaboration with Wollondilly Heritage Centre, The Oaks (WHC), with assistance from the Museums and Galleries Foundation of NSW.
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cultureworks: Migration And Working Life

Completed July 2003
The Migration Heritage Centre in collaboration with communities, museums, educational institutions, employer groups, trade unions, government agencies and non-government organisations.
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Different Sights - New England Immigrants

Current project
The New England Immigrants project is working with local museums, historical societies, residents and local government authorities and heritage advisors on the New England tablelands to research and present a thematic history of the presence and contributions of Australians from non-English-speaking backgrounds in the region which will be used as a basis to document and identify items of heritage significance. Community heritage study to identify places and collections of heritage significance and showcase the migration history of the New England tablelands.
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Education On The Move

Ongoing project
A Sydney – based learning program for schools. By participating in the Education on the Move programs, primary and secondary school students will be immersed in Sydney's rich migration heritage as they tour some of this city's most fascinating streets.
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Exploring Lebanese Heritage in NSW

Current project
The Lebanese are one of the largest and oldest migrant communities in NSW. A new Australian Lebanese Historical Society study in partnership with the NSW Migration Heritage Centre and the Heritage Office in the Department of Planning (NSW), is highlighting the migration story of those who came to Australia and the contribution of Lebanese communities to our heritage.
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Fairbridge Farm School, Molong

The Fairbridge organisation operated a Farm School for underprivileged British child migrants near Molong from 1938 until 1974. About 1000 boys and girls passed through and were trained as "farmers and farmers' wives".

This project with the Fairbridge Heritage Association includes oral and filmed histories of former child migrants, movable heritage identification, a CD Rom of place documentation. In 2007, the project produced a major new book 'The Forgotten Children' by David Hill, published by Random House.
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Fishing The Georges River - 'Gold & Silver'

Current project
Fishing is a popular and democratic recreational activity for many Australians. The migration experiences, history and heritage legacies of various community groups are explored through this project.

Hear personal accounts of former Vietnamese refugees and migrants and their memories of escape and making new homes in Sydney's south-west.

Research project informing the NSW Migration Heritage Centre's online exhibition, [i]Gold and Silver[/i]
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From the Back Blocks to the Front Lines

Current project
This new exhibition features photographs and memories of early Italian settlers and their families through active participation with the local Italian community.

A new travelling exhibition by Co.As.It. Italian Heritage. View family items and histories on the Belongings website
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From There To Here: NSW Community Languages Schools Program

Ongoing project

From There to Here is a project of the NSW Community Languages Schools Program in the NSW Department for Education and Training and was launched in September 2002. Community Languages Schools have functioned successfully in NSW since the first migrants arrived in Australia. Through weekend and evening classes, students are able to study, value and practise the traditional languages of their homeland.
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Fruits Of Our Labour: Italians At Griffith

Current project
Griffith's first Italian settlers arrived in 1913. By 1933, one tenth of orchards were owned and managed by Italians and by 1954 at least half. After the Second World War, Griffith's Italian business interests helped create the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area as a nationally important place for growing and processing rice, grapes and citrus and stone fruits.

Heritage study and workshops supporting Griffith Italian Museum exhibitions, heritage trails and other regional tourism initiatives. A new book 'Fruits Of Our Labour: The History Of Griffith's Italian Community' by Jennifer Cornwall was launched by Minister Frank Sartor at the Griffith Italian Museum on 31 August 2007
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GENERATE: The Art Of Migration

Completed November 2002
In association with the School of Communication, Design & Media (UWS), the School of Contemporary Arts (UWS), University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) Gallery and the Powerhouse Museum; and with the support of the Mazda Foundation, Telstra Foundation, Apple Computer Australia Pty Ltd, Rexel Security and City Rail.
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GENERATE: The Popular Culture Of Middle Eastern And Asian Youth

Completed December 2002
The Migration Heritage Centre, the Centre for Cultural Research, University of Western Sydney and the Powerhouse Museum with the active involvement of young people and community organisations from Western Sydney.
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Germantowns, Germanstories: Riverina

Current project
In 1858 the Riverina town of Holbrook was locally known as 'the Germans' and its name was officially changed to 'Germantown' two decades later. The Riverina’s German communities grew and prospered in the late 19th and early 20th centuries via the local wool and agricultural industries – before enduring wartime persecution. Discover the region’s history of German settlement through fascinating folkloric objects as the Menneke Bell.

Study to assess the significance of regional collections and inform the Museum of the Riverina exhibition 'From All Four Corners:Stories Of Migration To Wagga Wagga'. Statements of cultural heritage significance are online in the NSW Migration Heritage Centre's exhibition 'Objects Through Time'.
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Getting Married: A Celebration Of Love, Life And Culture In Australia Today

Completed November 2003

Getting Married presents the stories of different generations of migrant couples including the experiences of those in cross-cultural marriages. It involves people from backgrounds such as Serbian, Bangladeshi, South Indian, Lebanese, Greek, Vietnamese and Anglo-Celtic, embracing Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Catholic and Orthodox rituals and traditions.
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Golden Threads

Completed 2004

The Chinese in Regional NSW 1850-1950. Golden Threads tells the story of the Chinese people who came to, and sometimes settled in, New South Wales, from the first arrivals in the early 1800's, through the turbulent goldrush years and into the 20th century.
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Illawarra Migration Heritage: Maltese Community Exhibition

Current project
Learn more about the Illawarra's Maltese community through this exhibition.
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Investigating The Migration Heritage Of Wollongong

Current project

This colourful and richly illustrated book records memories of arriving in Australia and settling in Wollongong. Rita Montgomery's memories of making spaghetti though her mother's pasta maker is one of many examples which show how to document migration experiences and care for family belongings.

New book researched by the Illawarra Migration Heritage Project Inc as a guide encouraging people to record their migration history and experiences and to care for associated records, photos and family belongings.
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Leaving Home - From Estonia to Thirlmere

Current project

In the 1930s, a small group of Estonians set up poultry farms near Thirlmere which survive today and are now surrounded by some 60 farms. Many of the farmers and labourers are former post-Second World War migrants from Estonia.

Two exhibitions are on display at the Wollondilly Heritage Centre with an online version to follow on the Migration Heritage Centre website
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Leaving The Crocodile: The Story Of The East Timorese Community In Sydney

Completed December 2001
After the 1975 invasion of East Timor by Indonesia, East Timorese people fled to many parts of the world, including Australia. Their new homes became important bases from where it was possible to continue the Independence movement and to strengthen and maintain communities. The East Timorese community in Liverpool, in Sydney's western suburbs, played a particularly significant role in the struggle for East Timor's freedom.
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Lebanese And Arab Australian Communities Heritage Project

Completed January 2005

The Lebanese and Arab Australian Communities Heritage Project promoted the heritage of Arabic speaking Australians by collecting oral histories, identifying important places and historically and culturally significant objects and materials, and by developing education programs and public exhibitions. (Phase 2 of wattan – heritage of Arabic speaking Australians)
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Living From A Suitcase

Completed March 2000
A travelling exhibition of artistic expressions and cultural heritage by immigrant and refugee women. "Living From A Suitcase" collected and documented a range of artworks and material culture made by immigrant and refugee women. Art workshops and discussion groups were held to produce material reflecting a diversity of cultural perspectives, traditions, and experiences in Australia.
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Macedonian Aprons – Hidden Treasure

Current Project
Many Macedonian migrants come from a village background where self-sufficient farming was a way of life for centuries. Clothing too was made by the women from wool shorn from their flock, which is then cleaned, dyed, spun and turned into yarn before being woven on a loom to make cloth. Young women were expected to make their wedding dress this way which always included an apron. The apron is an integral part of the dress and one can tell from which part of Macedonia people come from...
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Mapping Chinese Heritage In NSW

Completed October 1999
"Mapping Chinese Heritage" identified and celebrated places and objects of value and importance to the Chinese community and to their history of settlement. The project involved working with communities throughout NSW in identifying sites of cultural and historical significance.
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Mapping Italian Heritage In NSW

Completed October 1999
The project invites Italian groups to identify places and objects which are important to local communities and their cultural heritage.
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Meie uus kodu - Our new home

Current project
Meie uus kodu – Our new home will look at the plight of the 80,000 Estonians who escaped to the West between 1940 and 1944. Homes were abandoned and families separated forever as some fled and others chose to stay.

Many Estonians took up poultry farming, orcharding, canning or pickling at Thirlmere. Others congregated in urban areas such as Cabramatta. Sizeable communities also formed in Newcastle, Canberra and Wollongong.

Exhibition at the Australian Communities Gallery, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney opens in September 2006
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Migration Heritage Toolkit

Completed April 2002
The Migration Heritage Toolkit has been developed as a result of workshops with migrant communities in Albury, Broken Hill and Orange. The toolkit contains a set of guidelines and a package of resources.
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Migration History Project: Liverpool City, South-Western Sydney

Current project
From First Fleet Colonial Europeans to the end of the infamous 'White Australia' policy, this project explores all waves of settlement in the Liverpool City local government area.

Study and workshops supporting Liverpool City's heritage collections, exhibitions, heritage trails and regional tourism initiatives
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Migration Memories - A Part Of Fairfield's History

Completed 2008
The Hon Joseph Tripodi MP, State Member for Fairfield, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Regulatory Reform and Minister for Ports and Waterways launched NSW Migration Heritage Centre partnership books...
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Migration To The Tweed

Current project
Memories of migrating to Tweed Shire before the 1970s are explored, with particular focus on South Sea Islander, Chinese, Italian and Sikh communities and post-Second World War arrivals.

Heritage study of migration heritage places, family collections and associated memories in the Tweed region. Read the associated book 'The Other Side Of The World'
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Museums, Cultural Diversity & Audience Development: Buddha: Radiant Awakening

Completed May 2004
In November 2001, the AGNSW staged a major exhibition of Buddhist art and culture, provisionally titled "Buddha: Radiant Awakening". Drawing on the growing popularity of Buddhism in society, the AGNSW aimed to attract new audiences to the exhibition, including Asian migrant communities, New Age groups, and young people.
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No Ordinary Man. Sydney's Quong Tart: Citizen, Merchant & Philanthropist

Completed August 2004
Curated by Dr Nicola Teffer, No Ordinary Man. Sydney's Quong Tart: Citizen, Merchant & Philanthropist is an important historical exhibition casting new light on the life of Quong Tart (1850-1903), in his time, one of Sydney's most famous and well-loved personalities.
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Objects Through Time

Current project
Objects through Time will take you on an online journey to explore important chapters, places and events in Australian migration history and discover the people who have shaped New South Wales' culture and society.
Online exhibition to showcase New South Wales' migration collections and assess their cultural heritage significance
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Oral History Project: Vietnamese Community In Australia

Completed September 2001
In 2000, the Vietnamese Australian community celebrated the 25th anniversary of Vietnamese settlement in Australia. As part of this celebration, an oral history project was established to reflect on the community's past, present and future, and to provide an opportunity for Vietnamese Australians to tell their own stories in their own words.
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Our Diversity - Our Heritage: Partnerships For Migration Heritage Forum

Completed October 1999
This one-day event announced the MHC's objectives of establishing links, networks and consultation with communities and community organisations.
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Paesani - The Bayside Italians

Completed 2002
The exhibition Paesani - The Bayside Italians grew out of a 1998 exhibition that examined the diversity of cultures living in the City of Botany Bay...
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Pai Nai Ma: Thai-Australian Experiences

From the Loy Krathong festival to Buddhist temples, Thai culture has become a part of the Parramatta and wider Australian story. Reflected in this exhibition are experiences of living in Thailand, migration to Australia and contemporary life from the Thai-Australian perspective.

Exhibition at the Parramatta Heritage Centre with exhibition catalogue available for sale. Online exhibition will be on the Migration Heritage Centre website in late 2006.
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Patterns Of Industry & Migration: The Male Domestic

Completed October 2002
This project focused on the male migrant, whose acceptance in his new country came from his capacity to work, and explored what happens when this capacity is taken away.
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Real Stories: Migrating For Work

Completed July 2003
A cultureworks project with Lambing Flat Museum. A Museums Adviser was hired to work with the Museum's volunteers to produce an exhibition on six local people/ families from migrant and refugee backgrounds who have contributed to industry and business in Young and surrounds.
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Real Stories: People And Cultures At Work

Completed July 2003
A cultureworks project at Liverpool Health Service.
Liverpool Health Service, in Sydney's southwest, serves one of the most culturally diverse populations in Australia. In turn, many of its staff have come to Australia as migrants or refugees - reflecting the community they serve.
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Recycling: Another Way Of Living

Completed April 2001
'Recycling - Another Way of Living' was a two day event organised by the community group "The Voice of Arabic Women" to celebrate the achievements of Arabic women, their testimonies and their artworks.
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Roads To Refuge: Refugees In Australia Education Kit

Completed February 2003
This project aims to provide a learning program for the children and young people of NSW on the specific experiences of refugee children and young people.
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Rural And Regional Migration Heritage Identification: Stages 1-2

Completed April 2002
The Regional Migration Heritage Identification project was initiated to ensure that the stories, experiences, achievements and places of interest for migrant communities in rural and regional NSW are recognised and celebrated as part of the common history and rich heritage of the State.
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Sharing The Lode: The Broken Hill Migrant Story

Book completed November 2004, exhibition opened June 2006

From Afghan cameleers to Filipino book-keepers, this is the story of Broken Hill's non-English speaking migrants; people who arrived in a harsh and alien outback mining town and chose to call it home. Meet 'Bundle Mary' and other people from Broken Hill’s migration history.

Visit Broken Hill and see the exhibition there or read the book – an online version of the exhibition will follow on the Migration Heritage Centre website.
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The Boat

Completed November 2001
Vietnamese-Australian artist Dacchi Dang collaborated with Vietnamese community members to tell the story of their journey from Vietnam to Australia for The Boat Project, as many Vietnamese people arrived in Australia by boat.
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The Dreadnought Boys and Migrant Reception Centre at Scheyville

Current project
English boys were trained as Australian farmhands at Scheyville, an hour north-west of Sydney, under the Dreadnought Scheme. After the Second World War, Scheyville National Park was the first Australian home for thousands of migrants from 1949 to 1964.

Photographic display and booklet to promote Scheyville National Park as a migration heritage destination. A virtual display will be online soon
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The Migration Series 1992-2002

Completed June 2003
This international project demonstrates how diverse communities throughout the world could be brought together and interconnected by art and the narrative voice of personal experience.
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Tune In To Fairfield City: A Multicultural Driving Tour

Completed September 2001

The Fairfield City motto says to 'celebrate diversity', and that's exactly what the cultural tour aims to do. From spiritual temples to a bustling commercial centre, from kitsch to classical, from ancient traditions to contemporary cultural development, this self-drive audio tour takes you to fascinating places in one of Australia's most culturally diverse neighbourhoods.
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Uranquinty Remembers

Completed March 2001
A celebration of Australian migration heritage and recognition of the contributions of migrant men, women and children.
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Wollongong's Migration Heritage Places

by Louise Thom and Meredith Walker
The population of Wollongong more than doubled between 1947 and 1961 due to migration yet previous heritage studies of Wollongong have not fully acknowledged migration as a significant historic theme in the City's development. The Illawarra Migration Heritage Project Inc with the NSW Migration Heritage Centre are researching an exciting new project to identify, document and assess migration heritage places in Wollongong.
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