Immigration

1. Immigration How did the immigration during the 19th ~20th century affect Melbourne’s culture? Catherine Liu

2. The “White Australian” Policy • The “White Australian” Policy was introduced in 1901, more officially known as the “Immigration Restriction Act”. • It was the previous approach to immigration which strictly limited immigration from non-Britain countries. • The “White Australian” Policy was introduced because many Australians believed that they were superior to other races. • For example, they didn’t even recognise the existence of the Aboriginals. • It was also introduced as it was hoped that it would ensure employment for Australians.

3. The Victorian Gold Rush • The Victorian Gold Rush attracted many people from overseas to “strike it big”, hence this event caused a massive jump in immigration during the 1850s. • During this time it was estimated that Australia’s population had almost tripled. • The majority of people who were British but new arrivals also included Americans, French, Italian, German, Polish, Hungarian and exiles from several countries. • Despite this the largest foreign contingent on the goldfields was the 40,000 Chinese who made their way to Australia. • This historical event brought people with a range of skills and professions to Australia.

4. World War I • In 1914, the outbreak of the First World War brings immigration to a halt as ships were not available and travel was dangerous. • German immigration is banned and all assisted immigration schemes are terminated.  • During this time, people with a German background were harassed and targeted as they were suspected of being spies and were referred to as “enemy aliens”.

5. The Process of How Migrants are Categorised • The migrants are selected in three streams - Skill, Family and Special Eligibility. • Skill - most migrants must satisfy a points test, have particular work skills, be nominated by particular employers, have other links to Australia or have successful business or investment skills and bring sufficient capital to Australia to establish a business or investment of benefit to this country. • Family - selected on the basis of the family relationship to a sponsor in Australia—usually partners, fiancés, dependent children and parents. • Special Eligibility - covers former residents who had not acquired Australian citizenship and are seeking to return to Australia as permanent residents.

6. Affect on Australia’s Culture • The Chinese • Most Chinese immigrants arrived in Australia during the 1850s for the Victorian Gold Rush. • Those who came during the Victorian Gold Rush has adapted to survive and their impact is evident throughout Melbourne. • The China Town built in Melbourne in 1854-55 is one of the first to be built in the world. • The Chinese culture can be experienced in China Town and in the corners and alleyways of Bourke Street.

7. Affect on Australia’s Culture • The Italians • Lygon Street is dedicated to Italian culture and cuisine. • The Italian population has declined over the years compared with the 30% in its heyday compared to the 4% today. • This is the street that introduced an espresso machine to Melbourne in the 1950s, launching the city's famous love affair with coffee.

8. Affect on Australia’s Culture • It is said that Melbourne has the third largest Greek-speaking population in the world after Athens and Thessaloniki. • Between Lonsdale, Swanston and Russell street lies the city’s Greek Precinct. • It had its beginnings in the 1930s and today is home to several Greek restaurants , cafes and cake shops as well as travel agents and music stores. • The area is also the focal point of the Festival of the Antipodes which is held every March to celebrate all things Greek.

9. Affect on Australia’s Culture • The Vietnamese • Melbourne’s Vietnamese migrants initially congregated around Victoria Street in Abbotsford. • This once rundown , inner-city working-class shopping strip has been transformed into the bustling and vibrant heart of the Vietnamese community. • Some of the city’s cheapest and best Asian cuisine is found here and Melburnians flock day and night for enormous bowls of pho (soup), rice paper rolls and noodle dishes.

10. Conclusion • The people who have come to Melbourne during this time has greatly influenced and impacted upon it’s culture. • As a result our society now accepts anyone and all cultures. • Today, various culture have a stronghold in different sections of the city. • Different cultures are now showcased like the Chinese New Year in China Town to allow others to experience their culture and to learn about their history.

11. Now we accept everyone • Showcase culture – festivals • Stronghold on different parts of the city • Restaurants everywhere – people can experience a little bit of their culture etc.

12. Bibliography • Sites used • http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/education/history.htm • http://www.chaf.lib.latrobe.edu.au/chinatown.htm • http://www.coasit.com.au/ihs/pdf/Italian_migration_1850-1900.pdf • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigration_history_of_Australia • http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/01backgd.htm • http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/01backgd_01.htm • http://www.immi.gov.au/media/statistics/population/ageing/_pdf/ageing.pdf • http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/objects-through-time/essays/1990andbeyond/ • http://museumvictoria.com.au/discoverycentre/websites-mini/immigration-timeline/1910s/ • http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history-of-immigration/11 • http://www.multiculturalaustralia.edu.au/hotwords/unpack/White.Australia.Policy • http://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100906213313AAsisX6 • http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_was_the_White_Australia_Policy_introduced • http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutMelbourne/History/Pages/multiculturalhistory.aspx

13. Bibliography • Places Visited: • 2012-09-19 Melbourne Museum • 2012-09-19 Immigration Museum • 2012-09-17 Chinese Immigration Museum