History of Australia - Italian Immigration to Far North Queensland - Assignment Example

History of Australia Name: University: Instructor: Course Title: Date: Introduction Significantly in a historical perspective, the multicultural change is associated with expletory work by a Dutch explorer known Willem Jansz in 1606. Secondly, decision by British Government to settle some of her convicts in Australia contributed towards this change. In 1788 Captain Arthur Philip and around 1, 350 people arrived in Botany Bay marking the entry of first immigrants to Australia. This was to be followed by 1790 fleet. Moreover, since independence in 1901, the country engages in deliberate efforts such as populate or perish policy. Since then people have immigrated to Australia to form the multicultural and multi ethnic nation. The aim of this paper is outline the history of Australia. Within this context, the discourse answers two questions. The first relates to the different processes, structures and experiences that distinguished Italian immigration to far North Queensland between the wars, from Italian immigration to Melbourne before 1966. Secondly, the paper examines what the “Greek café” tell us about multiculturalism. Differences in Italian Migration to Far North Queensland and Immigration to Melbourne Australia is what it is today because of immigration. The bulk of Australians trace their origin to Britain. However, other people with ancestry in other parts of Western Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe have significant representation. The ultimate focus of this section would be to outline the differences in processes, structures and experiences distinguishing Italian immigration to far North Queensland between the wars, from Italian immigration to Melbourne before 1966. The difference in terms of processes, structures and experiences distinguishing Italian immigration to far North Queensland between the wars, from Italian immigration to Melbourne before 1966 can be best outlined in regard to the core attraction to these two regions in Australia. The principal economic placement for migrants from Italy following World War 1 to the 1930s and after the World War 2 was the sugar industry in North Queensland. On the other hand, it is estimated that gold brought roughly 4, 000 people of Italian to Melbourne. One of the differences in terms of experience relates to the negative and derogatory labelling that Italian in Queensland received. For instance, from around 1907, racist rhetoric was employed to doubt the racial hygiene of Italian migrants in far North Queensland. They were labelled names such as ‘bucolic’, ‘dull-witted; ‘primitive’, and ‘impoverished’. The other white migrants saw them in a negative perspective. Such biased perception was equally entrenched in the government when in 1924 a Royal Commission was formed to assess alien labour in North Queensland. Other workers saw the Italian as invaders in what was termed by certain section of the media as ‘Mediterranean scum’. Thus, British and other northern Europeans in Queensland saw Italians as second class citizens. Indeed, such concern was raised when British and other northern Europeans in Queensland questioned whether Italians are ‘Whites’ or ‘Blacks’ since working in sugar cane plantation as cutters befitted ‘blacks’. Thus, Italians in Queensland land were treated as ‘white aliens’ (Dewhirst, 2010). Despite these challenges, Italian in Northern Queensland progressed economically by buying failed soldier settlement farms after 1918. This success equally attracted more hatred as evidenced in areas such as Ingham. For instance, in 1930, British Preference League opposed the dominance of Italians in sugarcane fields. As such those who supported the Italians were equally labelled negatively with terms such as ‘white dagoes’ even up to 1950s. Apart from being labelled ‘blacks’ because of associating with sugar cane industry which was deemed not to be for ‘whites’ they suffered isolation as result of the health scare. These included outbreak of Weil’s disease among the cane farmers and workers, hookworm in schools, malaria and various fevers. The other point of difference in terms of structure is the gender imbalance that lasted close to 100 years. It was observed that there were three or four men for every woman. Lastly, it is the Italians in Queensland who suffered most in relation to internment (Dewhirst, 2010). On the other hand, the experiences of Italians in Melbourne were different from those in Queensland owing to the success in gold industry and their entrepreneurial ability. From a generic and comparative perspective, those in Melbourne had a fairer experience as compared to those in Northern Queensland. For instance, the gold attracted people of means who were respected in the society, but with Italian origin such opera singer Pietro Cecchi, Carlo Catani who was mandated with various engineering works in Melbourne and so on. The other bunch of skilled labourers whom were attracted by gold included skilled craftsmen who were later contracted by British builders and architects (University of Melbourne, 2010). The other striking difference that is an indication on the difference in terms of processes, structures and experiences and thus a distinguishing observation between the Italian immigrants of Northern Queensland and Melbourne is the entrepreneurial skills and capability of the migrants to Melbourne. As opposed to Italian immigrant of Queensland, the ones of Melbourne had entrepreneurial skills. For instance, it is indicated that pre-World War II migrants were particularly entrepreneurial whereby in 1933, 52.8% were self employed as compared to those in northern Queensland who were labourers and sugarcane fields. It noted that most engaged in personal business such groceries, shoemaking, tailoring, baking and other small businesses. Indeed, they had a reputation for supplying quality produce, expert advice and good community relation therefore leading to their success (University of Melbourne, 2010). Hence, in a nutshell, it’s observable that Italian immigrants to Northern Queensland experienced disenfranchisement, hard and almost inhumane treatment since they were labourers as compared to those who went to Melbourne who had an average experience coupled with success in business. “Greek Café” Example and Multiculturalism Multiculturalism is conceptualised as the need to accommodate cultural and religious diversity within the frame of moral and political claims especially in relation to how minorities are treated within the larger society. Young (1990); Gutmann (2003) acknowledges the fact that the concept is engraved within spheres such as ‘identity politics’, ‘the politics of recognition’ and ‘the politics of difference’. Multiculturalism elicits a mixed reaction with the two extremes- opponents and proponents offering justifications for their stand. This section assesses and outlines what the example of the “Greek café” as contextualised by Janiszewski and Alexakis (2004) tells us about multiculturalism. Societies as open systems are dynamic and are bound to change over time. Multiculturalism can shape the role of a country in global politics and its international relations, governance, attitudes, social order, population decline and economic systems. Australia is not exceptional having had experience in regard to multiculturalism. Janiszewski and Alexakis (2004, p. 37 & 39) observe that while Australia is a multicultural nation, the roles played by Australian from non-english speeking background have been relegated to periphery yet they have made tremendous impact to the modern Australian society. Based on the said realisation, Janiszewski and Alexakis (2004) outline the contributions made by Greeks especially in regard to “Greek café” and Americanisation of Australian eating habits. From the “Greek café” example within the Australian context, one of the learning points about multiculturalism is that it a means towards diffusing social change and disseminating new ideas. The onus would be to substantiate this claim on how multiculturalism is a tool or process of diffusing social change and disseminating new ideas. From their work, they note that national commercial success of the “Greek café” in rural Australia in eastern states such as Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria where they were able to integrate American food catering ideas to British-Australian testes is premised on the fact that Greeks had relatives and friend working in United States food and catering Industry or individually they had worked in those premises (p.37). In popularisation of American catering ideas as means of driving social and economic change between mid 1930s to late 1960s three critical themes emerges. In changing the habits of Australians, the food served by Greek cafes entrenched American food catering ideas while at the same time capturing or addressing the demand for British-Australian preferred tastes. For instance, these outlets offered meals such as American sundaes, milkshakes, sodas and freezes or crushes and American confectionery (hard sugar candies and milk chocolate bars). The two prominent Americanisation systems are the soda bar/sundae ‘parlor’ which had emerged in mid 1910s and the American styles of milk bar which emerged in early 1930s (p.39). In earlier years, the focus was on Oyster saloons. Such outlets initially operated as fish-and-chip outlet while maintaining their focus on oyster. Nevertheless, they later diversified to other products such chocolates, cooked meat, sea food ice cream and fruit. Moreover, it was an integration of sit in and take-away approach. One of the pioneers within the context of Greek-run oyster saloons/ parlor is Comino that belonged to the Kominos family. Their greatest impact in changing Australian catering culture through the Americanisation process is by introducing in mass soda fountain as well as American candy, ice cream and ice drinks. In their five outlets by mid 1910s, Cominos introduced soda fountains consisting of effervescent water that is impregnated with a gas under pressure under front service arrangement which emerged in America in 1903. This approach was later to be adopted by other Greek café operators in Australia such as George Sklavos, Angelos Tarifas Bouzos (p.40). The second influence relates to the milk bar with earlier penetration being linked an Anglo-American Company owned by Greek known as Joachim Tavladis in 1932. In his operation, he adopted two critical concepts from America. The first, he emphasised on milk shake based on the emphasis he had seen American soda bar catering. Secondly, while the initial focus of Australian outlets/ oyster saloons was on sit-down approach, he brought the American system of quick stand-up and bar-stool bar trade (p.41). The third role of Greek in Americanisation of Australian food and catering industry and thus what we can learn from multiculturalism in relation to diffusion of new ideas and change is the association with entertainment and fantasy (p.37). These outlets acted as social centres owing to their association with local picture theatre. The concept was borrowed from America were there was a mutual relationship between catering establishments and cinema entertainment (p.44). Conclusion The aim of the paper was to examine history of Australia. Within this context, the focus of the paper was to assess the different processes, structures and experiences distinguishing Italian immigration to far North Queensland and between the wars, from Italian immigration to Melbourne before 1966. Secondly, to establish based on “Greek café" example the position of multiculturalism. It regards to the first concern, the paper established that Italian immigrants to Northern Queensland had nasty experiences such negative labelling and use of derogatory terms as compared to those in Melbourne who had relative success owing to their entrepreneurial skills as opposed to those in Queensland who were mostly manual labourers. on the other hand, in regard to question two the paper found out that multiculturalism has a significant position in diffusion and creation of change in a society a exemplified in ‘Greek café’ where they played a critical and significant role in Americanisation of Australian catering and food industry. References Dewhirst, C 2010, Italians in North Queensland. Queensland Historical Atlas. Available at: http://www.qhatlas.com.au/content/italians-queensland. Gutmann, A 2003, Identity in Democracy, Princeton, Princeton University Press. Janiszewski, J & Alexakis, E 2004, The ‘Greek café’: the future of Australian past. Greek- Australians in the Twenty-First Century, National Forum, Storey Hall, RMIT University, Melbourne, 2-4 April 2004. University of Melbourne 25 February, 2010, Italians. Available at: http://www.emelbourne.net.au/biogs/EM00767b.htm. Young, I 1990, Justice and the Politics of Difference, Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Read More