Room for One More, Australian Immigration

The Australian way of life was irrevocably changed by the large scale immigration of the post-war years. Although straining many of Australia's resources in such areas as food, housing and education, roads and transport, hospitals and social services, the benefits were innumerable.

Rapid economic and industrial development was possible because of the increased manpower available; political growth occurred to meet a wide range of needs, and Australia's export/import trade changed largely due to the interests and requirements of our migrant population. Socially, the Australian way of life became more colourful and vigorous - creating a larger Australian tolerance of ethnic differences - a direct result of the stimulus provided by many and varied cultures.

Australia's economic position changed rapidly during the early post-war immigration. Whether the migrants were displaced refugees; British families and ex-servicemen assisted with fare subsidies, or single men brought here to contribute their specific skills, all contributed to this post-war economic boom. Many early arrivals were building workers who quickly reduced the backlog of desperately needed residential and commercial building - and in turn created an ever-increasing demand for extra housing for their own families.

The next wave came to work in the rapidly growing area of heavy industry, like the steel works at Port Kembla; and Government projects, such as the Snowy Mountains Scheme - the immense hydroelectricity and irrigation complex. Others came to join the workforce in mines, timber mills and the ever-expanding manufacturing businesses springing to life to service these many and varied industries.

A notable change in these post-war years was the rapidly growing number of women in the workforce. Some European women worked because of necessity, others because of a burning ambition to 'make good' in this new country. At the same time, the number of Australian women in the work-force also increased rapidly, following women's involvement during the war years due to lack of manpower. After the war, many more women saw the benefits to be gained by the extra income, and chose the dual roles of motherhood and 'working woman'.

Fears that the immigration of many unskilled workers would lower the overall standard of Australian life, and create a 'lower working class' society, proved unwarranted. Instead, many Australians moved up into better paid 'white collar' jobs, due to the economic expansion. One of the negatives was the number of highly qualified workers who either had no papers from their own countries to prove their worth, following all the upheaval of war in Europe - or were let down by their poor grasp of English, making them sound ill-educated.

Politically, the effects of immigration were also felt. The formation of the Democratic Labor Party was a direct result of fears held by various nationalities from Europe of the potential for Communist take-over of the Australian Labor Party, as they had seen happen in their former countries. Many Trade Unions would also change and adapt to meet varied demands by overseas-born members, who often constituted up to 60% of an individual union.

Socially, Australia's traditional insular attitude has been reversed and truly enriched by its migrant population. One of the many positive effects has impacted our eating preferences. A broad range of European and Asian food items are now commonplace in most homes - Italian pizza, pasta and Parmesan cheese; German black breads, sausages, and sauerkraut; Polish salamis and dill pickles; Lebanese pita bread; Greek philo pastry; Chinese stir-fry vegetables, noodles and Soy sauce; Turkish shish-kebabs; Dutch, French and Scandinavian cheeses; Danish pastry; Swiss confectionery - the list is endless.

The variety of wines, and wine production itself, saw huge expansion, as well as a more discerning desire by Australians to appreciate and enjoy complimentary wines with meals, as well as for simply socializing. At the same time, restaurants providing cuisine from all around the globe, sidewalk cafes, and exotic nightclubs emerged in all cities and suburbs.

Entertainment is another area that has expanded and flourished due to our multi-cultural society. There are now many wonderful ethnic celebrations, enjoyed by all Australians. Here in South Australia, some particular favourites are - the German Schutzenfest, Greek Glendi, Cornish Kernewek Lowender, Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale and Coonawarra wine festivals, as well as Chinese New Year parades and celebrations. The Adelaide Festival of Arts provides a venue for a large range of folk music, dancing and song from all parts of our world. Ethnic radio stations, television channels, and newspapers and magazines inform, educate and enlighten us about differing attitudes and life-styles.

The most interesting effects are still evolving - in particular the effect of mixed marriages. Apart from the changes in attitudes of the couples themselves, their families and friends will also learn and grow from the exchange and intermingling of ideas, traditions and beliefs of the different cultures. And, in the children, the potential exists for whole-hearted tolerance and acceptance of all other races, because of the children's own mixed cultural heritage. This has certainly been my first-hand experience, as an Australian married to a Danish immigrant who arrived in Australia with his family in 1956. All of the attitudes in our immediate family have been altered and widened considerably by the combining of our cultures, and these effects have rippled outwards through our extended family, friends and acquaintances.

It is to be hoped that all Australians, (both old and new) follow their lead, and accept, appreciate and enjoy each others' individual contribution to our 'lucky' country.

The individual stories of Australia's immigrants are as varied as their nationalities. Perhaps you would like to the read about the background to just one immigrant family - mine by marriage -

Heroes?...They Didn't Think So