-
greek
Greeks have been establishing new lives in Victoria ever since the gold rush of the 1850s. Many Greeks were amongst the sailors who left their English ships in Australian waters when they heard the discovery of gold. Most intended to return home rich men, so few women came to join them. By 1871, there were still only 19 Greece-born women in Victoria, and 127 men. -
british immgration
Since European settlement to Australia began in 1788 more migrants have come from Great Britain to settle in Australia than from any other country. Prior to Federation in 1901 each colony administered its own immigration programs. All encouraged migration from Great Britain under schemes designed to fill gaps in the population or labour force. While Federation provided the Commonwealth government with the power to make laws in relation to immigration, programs for British migration often involv -
germans
Hundreds more Germans rushed to Victoria hoping to strike gold. Almost immediately they were the largest non-British group in Victoria: 10,000 strong in 1861. By 1864 there were already around 13 German associations in Victoria's gold field towns -
chinese
Chinese settlers first rushed to Victoria in large numbers hoping to strike gold. Most were men contracted to agents who sponsored their voyages, and they faced years of difficult repayments. They also sent money back to their families in .By 1861, the Chinese community was already thriving, making up nearly 7% of the Victorian population. Melbourne’s Little Bourke Street became a bustling centre for Chinese cultural and business activity -
itlian
Hundreds of Italians were lured to Victoria by the 1850s gold rushes, including Raffaello Carboni, who witnessed and documented the famous Eureka Stockade in 1854, calling the actions of the soldiers a “foul deed, worthy of devils”. -
spanish
Although Spanish seafarers began exploring the South Pacific in the fourteenth century, it was not until the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s that Spanish immigrants began to arrive in Victoria. The first Spanish restaurant was opened in Melbourne in 1860. By 1871, 135 Spaniards lived in Victoria, 80% of them men. Over the next two decades, the number of Spanish women arriving in Victoria tripled; a few more men also arrived. -
afgans
The first Afghani people to arrive in Australia during the 1860s were cameleers, entering Australia with travelling papers obtained while working in British India. They worked in nearly all areas of transportation including exploration, mining and the supply of provisions to homesteads. Few settled in Victoria: in 1901, the Afghani population included only eight males and no females -
kanakakers
The net migration gains of Pacific Islands-born to Australia increased steeply from 1986, mostly due to migration from Fiji in 1987-1988 after the coups. This is reflected in the differing migration trends and characteristics of the Fiji-born compared to other Islander migrants. Australia also receives secondary migrants from New Zealand, facilitated by the free movement of residents allowed by the Trans-Tasman Agreement. Due to poor job opportunities in the Islands and economic restructuring in -
french
Maritime ‘superpowers’ France and Britain were fierce colonial rivals in the South Pacific region during the 18th century. Motivated by scientific interest and trade, French explorers began arriving on Australian shores. The British, deeply suspicious about French intentions in the region, moved quickly to establish colonies in many parts of Australia -
irish
The Irish migrated to Victoria in vast numbers. They were the largest immigrant group after the English from 1854 to World War I. By 1871, when the community numbered 100,468, more than one in four Victorians was born in Ireland.
