A group of migrants from the Port Kembla and Cringila areas decorating a car for an event, sometime between the 1950s and 1970s. Photo: Migration Heritage Project from The Photo Roma Collection: Martina and Ballesi Families 2023.
The Illawarra has a rich and proud migrant history which is now the subject of a new photo exhibition.
Wollongong City Libraries have partnered with the Migration Heritage Project (MHP) to create the online exhibition as part of History Week 2024. The photos are a combination of those from the image collections of the library and MHP.
For an added interest, the photos are also available as online jigsaw puzzles.
The exhibition offers glimpses into the lives of migrants to the Illawarra from the 1940s onwards, showcasing how diverse cultural backgrounds have enriched society through music, dance, community events, religious festivals and food.
Many migrant settlers and refugees were initially housed in Nissen huts used as hostels at Balgownie, Berkeley, Coniston, Cringila, Helensburgh, Unanderra and Warrawong.
The steel and related industries were big employers of the migrant population and residents also started their own businesses including cafes, produce supply, manufacturing and service industries.
The Migration Heritage Project began in the early 2000s. It’s a community initiative that works to protect, promote and celebrate the diverse heritage of Illawarra’s community.
Originally an “online museum” showcasing exhibitions, research projects and histories, the MHP is now working on establishing a bricks and mortar museum, called the Museum of People and Industry, in collaboration with other organisations, as well as BlueScope and other large industries.
Members are all volunteers who are passionate about showcasing the valuable and lasting contributions that migrants have made to the Illawarra.
The exhibition will be launched today (9 September) in conjunction with the announcement of winners of the Wollongong Local History Prize.
Held every two years, the competition encourages people to submit an original research paper that documents previously unexplored topics relating to the Wollongong local government area.
The winner will receive $3000 and the runner-up $1500. Registration to the event is not essential, but bookings can be made by clicking here.
The theme of this year’s History Week (7-15 September) is Marking Time. Run by the History Council of NSW, people are encouraged to think about how we commemorate, from the personal marking of time in photographs to state commemorations of pageantry.
Across the state in 2024 there are several 200th anniversary moments.
According to the History Council, 1824 was an important year in the colony of NSW. In August of that year, a Legislative Council met for the first time, sparking what has been called the “birth of evolving democracy” in the state.
Days before the council met, Governor Brisbane declared martial law west of the Blue Mountains to end the Wiradyuri War of resistance, or the Bathurst War.
In the Illawarra, other History Week activities will include Hands on History storytime for preschoolers – at Thirroul, Wollongong, Warrawong, Corrimal and Dapto libraries. These will provide a sensory experience with everyday objects from the past for children to see, feel, touch and hold. For more information visit Wollongong City Libraries.
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