24/09/2024
Mackay Italian Association are commencing a new project as follows:
MIGRATION HISTORY, FUTURE PROJECT
We would like to engage a specialist to research and collate the history of migration settlement to the Mackay Region.
This will include engaging with Mackay Family History Society, Local Museums programs, Local and State archives, Newstrove as well as in person with those available with connections to the initial wave of migration.
We would like to work and consult with the local migrant community to display this information appropriately in a public setting - ideally along the Pioneer River.
We would like to work towards the inclusion of photos, and storytelling to provide history along with context to bolster the story of the settlement of Mackay.
There is currently nothing that publicly displays the history of migration and settlement to the Mackay region.
We believe it is important to acknowledge, remember, record and display this information publicly.
This is time sensitive to capture particularly the oral stories pertaining to this project.
By doing this we are creating a sense of pride and ownership of our region.
As mentioned, this information is currently not collated and displayed.
Mackay has a rich and unique settlement story that we hope by sharing this information will create a sense of pride, belonging, ownership and understanding. We would like to be inclusive of ALL migrants and their stories.
We are incredibly committed to this and believe that this is the only way his project can be a true and accurate reflection of the history of settlement to the region.
We would like to focus on the time period between settlement and 1960. We would like to overlay oral history recordings and images to help to create a visual understanding of migrant settlement.
The contribution made by these migrants has shaped what Mackay region is today.
We have strong links to the Australian South Sea Islander community, Maltese, Italian, Greek, Lebanese, Russian, Chinese, Indonesian, Malaysian and many other community members who are still part of the region today.
We want ALL migrants or their descendants to see this story and history reflected in this project and have a sense of ownership and belonging.
We have had preliminary conversations with the City and Waterfront Team and they are interested and open to working with the project to find an appropriate space and way to display this information.
