Events > Australian South Sea Islanders National Recognition Day
Australian South Sea Islanders National Recognition Day
Raema Lancaster, September 2019
At a Pyrmont History Group meeting in July, we were greeted enthusiastically by a smiling group of Australian South Sea Islanders. They showed us their movie and recounted their history. About their forebears brought to Australia as slave labourers, mostly in the Queensland cane fields, during the second half of the 19th century. And the flip side, when many were deported under the rules of the White Australia policy in the 1900s. They were used and then discarded by our white Anglo-Saxon community. To my shame, I had never heard of this unhappy chapter of our history.
Leading the presentation was the very impressive Emelda Davis. She chairs the Australian South Sea Islanders-Port Jackson (ASSI-PJ) She is a proud Islander descendant who wants to celebrate and validate her origins and culture. She pointed out that her people had been virtually ignored in mainstream Australian society.
But in 1994, the Australian Government at last officially recognised these descendants of Australia’s “blackbirding” trade as a “Distinct Cultural Group”. Previously they had been marginalised beside the similarly disadvantaged indigenous population (with whom they share some kinship). Emelda told us that AASI-PJ were planning a big celebration, marking 25 years since this triumph of recognition. She invited us all to join.
So on the morning of August 23rd, we made our way to the Maritime Museum to support this resilient and energetic community. It was a Flag Raising occasion—and much more!
The ceremonies started with a group gathering along the sunny wharf side of the Museum. Small South Sea Island flags and colourful leis were handed out to all who wanted them. Brightly and traditionally clad Islander women greeted friends and official guests and revered elders, who were guided to front seats. A procession of Islanders made their way to a small boat to enact their leaving their Melanesian homes. The boat embarked and disappeared along one side of the Museum wharf. Meanwhile, an engaging young indigenous man spoke to the crowd, and with three young “apprentices”, made a traditional fire with a twisting firestick - and produced wonderful smoke with eucalyptus leaves. The boat with the Islanders berthed on the northern side of the pier and the disembarking Islanders were welcomed with the smoking ceremony—and an enthralling didgeridoo performance.
After words of welcome, we all moved to the (cooler) area, beside the flagpoles.
There were short speeches by many people that day. They included the Foreign Minister of Vanuatu (Ralph Regenvanu), Marisa Payne (representing our government), Alex Greenwich (always a staunch community supporter), Jess Scully (for the Sydney City Council), a spokesman from the Maritime Museum and Clive Moore (University of Queensland historian long involved with SSI history). The indomitable Emelda Davis was MC.
Next, the invited guests were thanked and presented with hand woven bags. Finally the South Sea Island flag was raised—to the applause of the crowd.
We retired for tea and coffee and coconut scones in the open room on the museum wharf.
The following night, at Pyrmont Park, the celebration continued as a “Sugar Fest”. Using an open white tent as focus/stage, Emelda introduced a succession of her people who related their stories of family disruption - often heartbreakingly poignant. Some Islanders performed traditional dances or songs. There were brief addresses again from Ralph Regenvanu and Clive Moore but predominantly, this was personal memories complementing the public stories of the day before. A little stall sold traditional jewellery and woven bags, and also a food truck supplied food for picnics on the grass. A few Islanders – mainly dancers – wore traditional costume. Many South Sea Islanders and their families enjoyed the balmy night and each other’s company, and there were few other bystanders.
The encounters with the ASSI-PJ community made a big impact on me. They are a proud, vibrant, energetic, happy group, determined to overcome the indignities and disasters of the past, and banding together to save, enjoy and promote their distinctive culture.
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