City Libraries, City of Gold Coast

North of Capricorn

eng

videorecording

North of Capricorn

videorecording

818815388

55

"The people of Australia's deep north have lived in a multiracial frontier society, long before the south accepted non-Anglo migrants. The tropical north has different ancestors, architecture, music, fashions, food, vegetation and work ethics and has cultural ties with Asia/Pacific. Today's descendants revel in their difference, and celebrate being part of the 'Asian century'. The north has always been closer to Timor, PNG and Indonesia than to Sydney or Melbourne. They were part of the Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesian Archipelago trade route for trepang (sea cucumber) long before the British and French sailed down under. They had relationships with Aboriginal people which continue today. Broome attracted Japanese, Malay and Filipinos to work in pearling and shipping; Darwin drew Timorese, Pacific Islanders and Chinese to the gold fields and market gardening; Cairns attracted Chinese and Islanders (some indentured) who established farms and businesses. In 1901 the southern founding fathers of Federation introduced legislation to discourage mixed race liaisons, and deport Asians and Melanesians with the Immigration Restriction Act and Pacific Islanders Labour Act. Early entrepreneurial spirit was replaced by Aboriginal missions and bureaucracies. The 'white Australia' policy was born and lasted 70 years, but the north found ways to keep their cultures alive. Today, despite southern interventions, the north is renewing their ties with Asia/Pacific through festivals, the Arafura Games, business and family relationships, and the visit of the next Chinese President Xi Jinping"--Container

general

live action