The exhibition explored the significance of ports in Australia’s immigration history as well as the process of journeying to and arriving at Australia’s major ports—Fremantle, Port Adelaide, Port Melbourne and Circular Quay. It featured many personal stories of the journeys and experiences of immigrants who arrived at these ports.
The exhibition followed the impact of sea migration to Australia’s major ports as well as documenting the experiences of the process of arrival at these ports over time. The exhibition presented a historical narrative, with personal stories of the journey and arrival from the 1800s to 1977 when the last Australian government assisted immigrant ship, the SS Australis, sailed to our ports. The exhibition also presented the changes to navigational technology over this period of time, profiling 12 significant immigrant ships and the memories of passengers who travelled on them.
Picture credits
Image of newly arrived migrants courtesy of the Immigration Museum.