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Immigrant Stories and Timeline

Settlings
Source: Museum Victoria

Immigration is about us all - those who were here and those who came.

Settling into a new country is not easy. Immigrants have to adapt to an unfamiliar environment and lifestyle, while maintaining aspects of their previous culture and way of life.

Many newcomers spent their new lives in limbo, spending months in temporary migrant accommodation, committed to two year labour contracts. For others, settlement has been far easier because they spoke English, or government had offered assistant land or home scheme.

Generations of immigrants have had to adapt to a new climate, new landscape, new language, new currency, and new lifestyle, especially those who have settled in rural areas.

Each immigrant has their own unique story to tell. Whilst for many it was difficult, the vast majority eventually found their feet.

This gallery explores why they came, where they settled and how they started a new life in Victoria. Around the walls of the gallery is an immigration timeline that highlights key events in the history of immigration.

EVENT DETAILS

Your comments

oksana 07 Sep 2010 17:40

what countries moved to Australia in the 1900's to 1910's

Discovery Centre 09 Sep 2010 12:47

Hi Oksana, check out our Origins website, heaps of information about the various community groups that now call Australia home.

from eighty year old 05 Oct 2010 12:01

I came to Australia in 1948 with my parents and brother and sister.I honoured our family by subscribing to a plaque on the Tribute Wall. Now that I am less able to travel, I find that the Tribute Wall is a wonderful place to visit for remembrance instead of having to travel nearly 250ks to visit their grave. It is also a central point for the extended family to gather to contemplate on the journey of a lifetime of their ancestors.

shelley Biasin 08 Dec 2010 22:13

I love this idea of a tribute wall, we recently lost the man who brought the Biasin family to Australia, I would love to give my father in law this as a gift for his 60th birthday next year. Can someone please tell me how I go about subscribing to a plaque and what information is required. I think he would really love this gift of love and tribute to his own father and his family.

Discovery Centre 11 Dec 2010 12:22

Hi Shelley, we have an article about the various gardens and walls where you are able to pay tribute to migrants.

rin 24 May 2011 20:04

oh wow!! im going here with my friends soon!! im so interested already!! I WANNA GO NOW!!! XD

Romany mahrous attia 02 Jun 2011 21:59

i wont immigration to Australia and i have tow child

lois daley 01 Sep 2011 10:39

I have lookedc through your website and am having trouble finding any stories of Greek migration and what they have accomplished since the 1950's esp in the field of their businees life ..I live in Port Melbourne and saw/see and experienced much of the Greek community who bought their homes here in port melbourne..Is there anything on display to show this marvellous experience which changed the suburb for the better....regards Lois Daley 1.9.2011

Antonio Galimany 04 Sep 2011 17:08

My parents came to Melbourne from Barcelona in 1910 {father} and 1912 {mother}. I am looking forward to attending the catalan footprint exhibition on September 11.

Beverley Morrow 30 Oct 2011 19:34

My family arrived in Melbourne on January 1st 1975 on the Ellinis passenger ship. I'm looking for any footage of the ship crossing the equator which I believe was in an exhibition at the museum in 2009.

Discovery Centre 01 Nov 2011 11:53

Hi Beverley, please go to our image requests page to submit your enquiry.

Eve Dawson 04 Feb 2012 00:40

My family (Mother, Father & baby brother 3 months old) arrived in Australia in 1970 we sailed on the 'Australis' Sitmar Line. We lived in Brisbane at Kangeroo Point Immigration Hostel, then moved to Castle Hill, Townsville then lived on Magnetic Island. Cyclone Althea prompted us to move down to Willaimstown, Melbourne. This was all in the space of 3 years. We eventually returned home to England, my Father was desperate to return home, I on the other hand was devastated. I would have stayed had I been older.