Immigration - The Waves That Shaped Australia

1986, 18 Minutes

Looks at the history of government immigration policy in Australia and the effects this policy has had on the development of Australia’s nationhood.

As a short treatment of the history of migration to Australia up until the late 20th century, this program pays tribute to convicts and free settlers alike while acknowledging prior claims of Aboriginal people to the land.

Successive waves of migrants, principally European in origin, came when times were good. When times were bad, these migrants were the first to feel the effects of resentment and open prejudice. Refugees and post World War II migrants were often given the unpleasant jobs that no one else wanted, but it was through their efforts that projects such as the Nullarbor Railway and the Snowy succeeded. 

A Film Australia National Interest Program. © 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.