Many Australians have a migration story. Somewhere in our family tree is an ancestor who embarked on a long and difficult journey and eventually made it to Australia.
Hopes and Fears: Australian Migration Stories celebrates the people who have made those journeys.
Our ancestors might have been a convict, a sailor or a soldier. Perhaps a young woman sent from a workhouse, or a child migrant from an orphanage.
Some came to exploit the opportunities of empire, in search of land and gold. Some were brought in as indentured labourers to work on plantations in the tropical north. Others were refugees fleeing war and political prosecution, or workers seeking a more secure future. Coming from all parts of the globe, these migrants have helped to make Australia one of the most diverse nations in the world.
But it has not been without its challenges. The desire for particular migrants to populate this continent is entangled with legislation restricting particular immigrants as well as First Nations struggle to continue living on unceded lands.
The National Library of Australia is a place where migration stories can be found and retold for future generations. The books, magazines, paintings, ephemera, documents, letters, drawings and photographs held by the Library provide a storehouse of memories for all Australians to cherish.
The exhibition runs from 26 July 2024 to 2 February 2025 and is exclusive to Canberra. Entry is free, no booking required.
